The Beauty of Body Brushing
There are wide-ranging health and beauty claims about the wonders of dry body brushing, promising everything from improved digestion to a reduction in cellulite. At MASAJ we prefer to stick to the science - and our own experiences - to share the real beauty of dry body brushing, and why it’s become an essential part of our daily body care routine - especially in the absence of a treatment at the MASAJ Studios!
So, what are the real, proven health benefits of dry body brushing?
EXFOLIATION
The massaging action of dry body brushing does wonders for the surface quality of your skin, helping to remove dead skin cells gently and naturally, and unclog blocked pores too. Ideal for keeping dry, flakey winter skin at bay.
DETOXIFICATION
The rhythmic action of body brushing helps to boost blood circulation, and promote lymphatic flow and drainage, which helps to rid your body of potentially harmful toxins.
INVIGORATION
The process of dry body brushing stimulates the nervous system, leaving you feeling refreshed and invigorated afterwards. Frankly, it also just feels bloody wonderful, and makes for the perfect way to start your day.
OUR BODY BRUSHES
Massage Brush - £10.00
Combining flexible rubber nodules with exfoliating bristles, there are multiple health and beauty benefits from this one massage brush! Perfect for self-massage and dry body brushing.
Japanese Sisal Body Brush - £9.00
Our beautiful sisal body brush has an easy grip rope handle which is perfect for vigorous all over body exfoliation, guaranteed to leave your skin feeling soft.
So, how do we go about fitting dry body brushing into our daily routine? It couldn’t be easier:
CHOOSE YOUR BRUSH
There are a huge range of brushes available on the market, but for dry body brushing its best to choose something that’s nice and firm, and ideally made from sustainable materials. Our Japanese Sisal Body Brush or Massage Brush, both from London brand Hydrea, are the perfect tools to start with. Some bristles are stiffer than others, and it depends on your skin’s sensitivity and preference.
FIND THE TIME
We recommend finding five minutes in the morning before you shower, to complete your dry body brushing routine. It makes for a glorious start to the day, helping to wake up sleepy bodies and minds.
START AT THE BOTTOM
Start at your feet/ankles and work your way upward, brushing in long fluid strokes on limbs and circular motions on torso and back. Work your strokes upwards towards the heart, helping to promote circulation and lymphatic drainage. For sensitive areas such as the stomach, breasts and neck, lighten the pressure to ensure you’re feeling comfy and not damaging the skin.
GO GENTLY
A few swipes of the brush over each area is enough to feel the difference, so go gently - especially if this routine is new to you, so as not to damage the integrity of the skin. Never dry brush on damaged or broken skin, including sunburn, skin irritations or rashes - and it’s best to avoid your face too. For more sensitive skin, you can use a flannel or textured washcloth to the same effect.
HOP IN THE SHOWER
As soon as you’ve completed your dry body brushing routine, it’s best to hop straight in the shower. Be aware that your skin may feel slightly more sensitive than usual so best not to have the water too hot. Showering straight after a body brushing session will help to rid your skin of the dead skin cells you’ve worked off with the brush, and will leave you feeling soft and smooth all day.
MOISTURISE
Replenish any moisture lost during exfoliation with a good dose of your favourite natural moisturiser, body lotion or oil - we recommend our No.4 Watershed Studio Oil as the perfect follow up, due to the delicate, healing properties of the Chamomile used in the blend.
That’s it! We recommend committing 3-5 minutes per day to your body brushing routine, and you’ll start to feel the benefits pretty much immediately. Say hello to super soft limbs and glowy skin! We think either of our body brushes also make a perfect gift, especially when paired with a MASAJ x Wabi Soap or MASAJ Studio Oil - or you can request to include a brush in a Bespoke MASAJ Bundle and we’ll do the hard work for you.