BFF (Beauty Find Friday): Dry Brushing for Glowing Skin

MIO Body Brush / Courtesy photo

Want glowing skin? There’s a quick fix: Brush away your troubles. These days, several Boston-area spas are extolling the virtues of dry brushing. Give your skin one quick dry brush before your shower, they say, and your entire body (inside and out) will thank you.

Fans of dry brushing claim that it:

• Stimulates lymph and blood circulation, so your skin can rid itself of impurities.
• Relieves congestion (not the nose kind, the lymphatic kind) and improves detox.
• Improves overall feeling of well-being and energy levels.
• Boosts immunity (no colds, please).
• Enhances skin texture and tone by getting rid of dead skin cells.
• Helps treat ingrown hairs.
• Helps minimize the appearance of cellulite deposits (bye-bye, bumpy butt).
• Revs up near-the-skin blood flow, which allows skin creams—such as heavy hydrating moisturizers, self-tanners, and cellulite creams—to be be absorbed better.

“The firm bristles of the brush remove dead cells and exfoliating the skin to make it softer, smoother, cleaner,” says Sara Lahey of popular spa Bella Sante regarding dry brushing. “They also stimulate the lymphatic system, which plays a key role in your body’s ability to detox. Working on your upper arms, legs, and other trouble areas, you’ll find that dry brushing breaks down toxins and helps you flush them out. Since the whole process promotes blood circulation, many people experience an increase in energy immediately after dry brushing.”

Here’s how to you dry brush: Before stepping into your bath or shower, lightly massage your dry body with a bath brush, using a circular motion. Begin at the soles or your feet, then continue working up the front and back of your legs in an upward direction toward the heart. Then move on to the hands and arms, the tummy, and back (leave out the face and chest).

“You can do it at night or in the morning, but if you have the time, take advantage of the stimulation effect and try to incorporate it in your morning rituals,” says Lahey. “We recommend applying moisturizer after your dry brush; your skin is prepped and ready to accept the benefits of skin care—you’ll notice and immediate luminosity to the skin.”

They even offer a new dry brush massage at the spa’s three locations in Boston, Lexington, and Wellesley (bonus: you can take home your brush). If you’re more of a DIYer, grab a MIO brush (available at Bella Sante for $21) and get to work on that skin. There’s no better way to get that Big Day glow.

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