Dry brushing is a skincare practice that involves gently brushing dry skin with a stiff-bristled brush to remove dead skin cells, increase circulation, and rejuvenate the skin. It's best to limit dry brushing to once a day or every time you take a shower.
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Is It Safe to Dry Brush Every Day?
As long as you have healthy skin, there’s not necessarily a limit to how often you can safely dry brush. At first, try doing it once a day or after you shower.
Start small—with an area of your leg about the size of the brush—before going over your whole body.
All you need to do is gently brush the area. You shouldn’t repeatedly scrape it, especially if you notice redness, swelling, or other signs you’ve applied too much pressure.
Using too much force “can cause microtears in the skin that can lead to infections,” Shari Lipner, MD, PhD, a dermatologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian, told Verywell.
It's best to wait a day or two before trying it again to ensure your skin doesn’t react badly. And clean your dry brush regularly to prevent infection, she added.
What Can Dry Brushing Do for Your Skin?
“Dry brushing can be a helpful exfoliant and also stimulate circulation and even improve the appearance of cellulite,” said Cindy Wassef, MD, an assistant professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Rutgers Health Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
That said, it’s not a cure-all. “People who use dry brushing should have reasonable expectations,” Lipner said. “The best it can do is gently exfoliate the skin.”
Lipner said there is no scientific evidence to back up claims that dry brushing helps with lymphatic drainage, which is a benefit being touted on TikTok.
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When Should You Stop Dry Brushing?
For some people, dry brushing can lead to depigmentation or a change in the color of their skin on the areas they’ve dry brushed, Lipner said. If you notice this after dry brushing, you should stop the practice and speak with a dermatologist.
She added that dry brushing should not be overdone, as this can cancel out any potential benefits and result in dangerous skin infections.
People with certain skin conditions, such as psoriasis, should avoid it altogether.
“It could be dangerous for people with psoriasis because it can make the psoriasis worse and cause it to form in areas that are traumatized with the brush,” Lipner said.
She said it's also best to avoid dry brushing if you have:
- Other skin conditions
- Diabetes
- Neurological disorders
- Active infections
- Acne
- Folliculitis
- A rash
- Open wounds
