5 Potential Health Benefits of Dry Brushing

You already brush your hair and teeth — should you brush your skin too?

We’re talking about dry brushing, an ever-popular self-care technique (#drybrushing boasts millions of views on TikTok) that some have claimed exfoliates the skin, detoxifies the body, and reduces the appearance of cellulite. Given its popularity, we decided to examine whether there is scientific backing behind this social media trend.

In ayurveda, garshana, the Sanskrit term for dry brushing, means “friction by rubbing.” It involves gently exfoliating dry skin with a soft- or stiff-bristled brush, or raw silk gloves, working from the extremities in toward the core, according to Veena Haasl-Blilie, a certified ayurvedic practitioner and the founder of Saumya Ayurveda, an ayurvedic wellness company in Corrales and Jemez, New Mexico.

While most people may be able to practice dry brushing safely on their own at home, it’s best to seek guidance from a board-certified dermatologist, massage therapist, ayurvedic practitioner, or integrative health specialist to determine if this practice is right for you before you get started.

So far, there’s limited published research to specifically support any health or wellness benefits of dry brushing. However, anecdotal evidence from some healthcare professionals suggests that there may be something to this ancient practice. Here are a few potential perks.

Possible Anecdotal Benefits of Dry Brushing

According to the experts we interviewed, as well as online publications, some potential anecdotal benefits of dry brushing could include:

1. May Exfoliate the Skin

Massaging the skin with a dry brush removes dead skin cells, which stimulates new, healthy ones to grow in their place, says Nina K. Antonov, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with Modern Dermatology in Westport, Connecticut, and an associate of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Note that none of these potential skin benefits have been studied specifically with regards to dry brushing, and more research is needed to fully understand how this technique may impact skin.

2. May Stimulate the Lymphatic System

Dry brushing’s effects may be more than skin deep: “It certainly may slough off dead skin cells — but from an ayurvedic perspective, we’re also working with the lymphatic system,” Haasl-Blilie says.

3. May Boost Circulation

Unfortunately, there are no studies specifically on dry brushing and circulation.

4. May Improve the Appearance of Cellulite, Temporarily

Some people dry brush in hopes of getting rid of cellulite, per many effervescent social media and beauty-blogosphere promises. However, there is no evidence to support this claim.

That said, dry brushing may temporarily improve the appearance of cellulite through the short-term increase in blood circulation. The extra blood flow may plump dimples in the skin, Antonov says. Though, again, this has yet to be researched in studies.

5. May Give You Energy

Dry brushing can potentially stimulate the nerve endings in the skin, which can leave you feeling refreshed, says Patricia K. Farris, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical associate professor at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans.

“Because of its invigorating and stimulating effect, many people find that adding dry brushing to their morning routine actually wakes them up better than a mug of coffee,” Haasl-Blilie adds, based on her experiences working with clients. Once again, this is anecdotal, due to the lack of research, so we need more studies to fully understand how the practice of dry brushing affects the mind and body when it comes to alertness, focus, and preparation for the day.

• Dry brushing is a self-massage technique that has roots in ayurveda, an age-old system of medicine from India.
• In ayurveda, garshana, the Sanskrit term for dry brushing, means “friction by rubbing,” and the technique involves gently exfoliating dry skin with a soft- or stiff-bristled brush, or raw silk gloves.
• Research is limited on its potential health benefits — although anecdotally, some healthcare professionals and ayurvedic practitioners say that it may improve circulation, stimulate the lymphatic system, and remove cellulite, among other health perks.
• If you are interested in trying dry brushing, speak to an integrative doctor or ayurvedic practitioner for guidance.