Drybrushing is a trendy direction in personal care, the fashionable name of which hides the usual self-massage with a dry brush. But it cannot be denied - in terms of the quality and duration of the effect, there is little that can compare with this option of home care. A complete drybrushing guide was prepared together with a massage therapist and beautician Vladimir Yaremenko.
Drybrush brush
Wooden massage brushes are sold in almost all shops related to the beauty industry in one way or another. They come in different sizes: large with long arms; small with a strap that you can put on your hand; very small, intended for spot use. The main thing that all these brushes have in common is the material: they are made of natural bristles of varying degrees of hardness (high or medium).
Important: A drybrush brush needs maintenance at least once a month. It is enough to rinse it with soap or shower gel and rinse thoroughly under running water.
What is drybrushing for?
There are many myths surrounding the dry brush massage procedure. It is recommended for cellulite and as a replacement for lymphatic drainage. However, there is no evidence to support this. It does not help get rid of edema, lose weight, get the cherished 90/60/90. Dry brushing certainly improves local blood circulation, but it is mainly intended to exfoliate dead skin cells, that is, in fact, it replaces scrubbing. Drybrushing helps to make the skin smooth, beautiful, well-groomed and, of course, contributes to its rejuvenation.
Instructions for use
Drybrushing is an extremely useful beauty procedure. It should be done at least 1-2 times a week. If you have dry skin, once every 10 days is enough. Despite the fact that this type of massage is one of the most affordable, it has a number of contraindications:
- varicose veins
- the presence of skin infections and diseases
- temperature
- hypertension
With special care, this massage should be done in areas with "suspicious" moles: convex, bleeding, with uneven edges, etc. Excessive trauma to such nevi is categorically contraindicated. Do not forget that in the presence or detection of such moles, you must contact a dermatologist (read also: "What are the dangerous moles and papillomas, and how to remove them?" ").
The time of the first drybrushing session should not exceed two minutes. In subsequent times, you can gradually increase the time for self-massage. A complete drybrushing procedure should take 5 to 7 minutes. Experts advise doing it in the morning, after waking up, as drybrushing increases blood circulation, and, therefore, gives a feeling of vigor and gives energy, which will last for the whole day.
Self-massage using a brush is also recommended before taking a shower - while the skin itself, like the brush, must be absolutely dry. You need to start the massage from the heels, gradually moving up the legs in straight and long movements. From the buttocks area, you can move on to circular brushing movements along the most problematic areas - for example, the sides. But the abdomen and chest must be massaged very delicately.
At the end of the massage, you should take a contrast shower and do not forget about applying a moisturizer. In summer, after drybrushing, it is worth using creams containing SPF, since after thorough cleansing, the skin is especially vulnerable to sun exposure. If you are heading to a spa and want a beautiful, even tan, then drybrushing is better for a gentle scrubbing of your skin (read also: "10 scrubs for perfect skin").
About the expert:
Vladimir Yaremenko
Photo: Getty Images
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