No matter how old you are, how healthy you are, or how good your skin regimen is, it is likely that you have cellulite somewhere on the skin of your body. As fitness freaks, you may spend hours working out at the gym to build up a lean and slim body, but at the end of the day, you may end up putting on thick clothes to cover up that dreaded cellulite. Recently, dry brushing your skin can be considered to be the best cure for skin cellulite and is also frequently offered in skin care spas. It is said to also be beneficial in stimulating your circulatory systems and exfoliating dead skin cells. So let’s look at if dry brushing helps get rid of cellulite:
How is cellulite formed?
Cellulite is a naturally occurring human feature. Although little is known about what causes cellulite, it occurs when fat accumulates in the space between your skin and muscles that push up your skin, while pulling down the fibrous connective cords, thus creating an uneven skin surface or dimpling. Moreover, hormonal factors have also been said to be associated with cellulite since genetics usually determine skin structure, texture, and body type. Cellulite most commonly appears around the skin of the thighs and buttocks and can potentially also appear on the breast and lower abdominal region.
What is dry brushing?
To start off, it is exactly what it sounds like. It is a treatment that uses a dry and firm bristled brush to exfoliate your skin and remove any dead skin cells. A dry brush comes in various shapes and sizes and usually has soft and natural bristles that can comfortably be rubbed on your skin. They also come with long handles to reach places that are difficult to reach.
What are the benefits of dry brushing?
Although speculative, a dry brush is said to help get rid of flaky skin and improve its overall appearance by getting rid of dull and dead skin cells and exposing healthy skin, thus allowing your skin to feel smoother and have a radiant glow.
It is also claimed to help detoxify the skin by increasing your blood circulation and unclogging your pores which allows your body to eliminate toxins through sweat without any blockage.
Many people also suggest that the sensation of using a dry brush on your skin can be invigorating and make you feel relaxed, and while it is a recent addition to daily skincare regimen, it has been historically used as a part of ayurvedic treatment for centuries.
Is dry brushing beneficial in getting rid of cellulite?
The formation of cellulite is a common phenomenon among women. It is said that 80-90 percent of women develop cellulite in one or more areas of their bodies. Moreover, it is also well known that cellulite is much more common among people who are overweight and are following an unhealthy diet.
Although there is no scientific evidence of dry brushing being effective in curing cellulite, it may be possible that it can temporarily bump up your skin, since the increase in blood circulation can cause a swell-up reaction on your skin that lifts the skin up, thus flattening the dimpled skin texture. Moreover, dry brushing can be potentially more effective if it is combined with following a healthy diet.
Are there downsides to dry brushing?
Although dry brushing is pretty safe, one of the most common side effects of dry brushing is irritated skin. This usually occurs if you brush your skin too vigorously or too often. NYC-based dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner says that If you have sensitive skin or eczema, it is probably best to skip dry brushing altogether since the exfoliation can make it worse. He also states that when the skin barrier is disrupted, it can lead to irritation or inflammation of the skin. Moreover, dry brushing can also cause skin dryness, which is why it is advisable to add some moisturiser after you dry brush to counter this effect.
The takeaway
Dry brushing can be great for cleansing your skin by exfoliating it of dead skin cells and improving your blood circulation, but there is no concrete evidence that it indeed helps get rid of cellulite. Even if it does show signs of smoothening the cellulite, doctors claim this is only temporary. Before you start dry brushing, make sure you get to know your skin well. It is advisable to give your skin a good look to figure out which areas to avoid. If you do notice something concerning, contact your dermatologist before you start dry brushing your skin.
