Dry Brushing: 5 Possible Health Benefits
Wellness & SelfcareHolistic Health

5 Potential Health Benefits of Dry Brushing

While research is lacking, there may be wellness perks to this ayurvedic self-care exfoliation technique.
5 Potential Health Benefits of Dry Brushing
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Updated on June 5, 2025
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5 Potential Health Benefits of Dry Brushing

Dry brushing is all the rage these days! Here are ways it may help you.
5 Potential Health Benefits of Dry Brushing

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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.

Dry brushing isn’t new. It’s rooted in many cultures and traditional medical approaches around the world, including ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of medicine that is more than 3,000 years old.

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.

The exfoliating effects of dry brushing may also unclog pores, making it easier for your body to eliminate waste products through sweat.

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.

The lymphatic system is a key part of the body’s immune system that helps maintain fluid levels, protect your body against pathogens (any bacteria, virus, or other substance that can make you sick), and transport and remove waste products.

Brushing your skin may encourage the flow of lymph, which is made up of extra fluids that drain from cells and tissues, as well as proteins, minerals, fats, damaged cells, and pathogens.

 Lymph gets pumped throughout the vessels, organs, and nodes that comprise the lymphatic system, although at low pressure, according to one research paper.

 And sometimes the pressure drops even lower, such as when there’s more fluid that needs to be moved (as with certain diseases), per the aforementioned paper.
If there isn’t enough pressure, lymph can’t flow the way it should. This causes fluid to collect in your arms and legs, leading them to swell (a disease known as lymphedema).

 When this happens, lymph can’t transport white blood cells to other areas of your body, which may increase your risk of an infection.

Techniques that promote lymph flow may help. For example, a type of massage known as manual lymphatic drainage is a widely accepted treatment for lymphedema, note the authors of a review.

 However, any lymphatic benefits of dry brushing have yet to be studied, so we don’t know if and how dry brushing affects the lymphatic system. In conventional Western medicine, a healthy lymph system is encouraged by staying hydrated and living a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise.

Interestingly, one research paper on kanpumasatsu — a Japanese self-massage technique, similar to dry brushing, that uses a dry towel to create warmth and friction and purportedly stimulate health — posited that it may improve lymphatic flow, as well as relaxation and immune functions, though more research is needed.

Illustrative graphic titled Potential Health Benefits of Dry Brushing Graphic shows may exfoliate skin, may improve circulation, may support lymphatic system and temporarily lessen appearance of cellulite. Everyday Health logo
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3. May Boost Circulation

Dry brushing is similar to a gentle massage. Like other types of massage, it stimulates a mild inflammatory response, which, as Dr. Antonov explains, boosts circulation and potentially supports healing. This pushes blood to the affected areas, helping transport nutrients and remove waste products.

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.

The Takeaway

  • 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.
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Justin Laube

Justin Laube, MD

Medical Reviewer

Justin Laube, MD, is a board-certified integrative and internal medicine physician, a teacher, and a consultant with extensive expertise in integrative health, medical education, and trauma healing.

He graduated with a bachelor's in biology from the University of Wisconsin and a medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School. During medical school, he completed a graduate certificate in integrative therapies and healing practices through the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing. He completed his three-year residency training in internal medicine at the University of California in Los Angeles on the primary care track and a two-year fellowship in integrative East-West primary care at the UCLA Health Center for East-West Medicine.

He is currently taking a multiyear personal and professional sabbatical to explore the relationship between childhood trauma, disease, and the processes of healing. He is developing a clinical practice for patients with complex trauma, as well as for others going through significant life transitions. He is working on a book distilling the insights from his sabbatical, teaching, and leading retreats on trauma, integrative health, mindfulness, and well-being for health professionals, students, and the community.

Previously, Dr. Laube was an assistant clinical professor at the UCLA Health Center for East-West Medicine and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, where he provided primary care and integrative East-West medical consultations. As part of the faculty, he completed a medical education fellowship and received a certificate in innovation in curriculum design and evaluation. He was the fellowship director at the Center for East-West Medicine and led courses for physician fellows, residents, and medical students.

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Lauren Bedosky

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Lauren Bedosky is an experienced health and fitness writer. She regularly contributes to top websites and publications like Men's Health, Women's Health, MyFitnessPal, SilverSneakers, Runner's World, Experience Life, Prevention, AARP, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Livestrong, Fitness, Shape, Family Circle, Healthline, Self, Redbook, and Women's Running.

When she's not writing about health and fitness — her favorite topics being anything related to running and strength training — she's reading up on the latest and greatest news in the field and working on her own health goals.
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Resources
  1. Ayurveda. Johns Hopkins Medicine.
  2. Lymphatic System. Cleveland Clinic. July 31, 2023.
  3. The Truth About Dry Brushing and What It Does for You. Cleveland Clinic. November 2, 2021.
  4. Stucker O et al. Towards a Better Understanding of Lymph Circulation. Phlebolymphology. 2008.
  5. Lymphatic Drainage Massage. Cleveland Clinic. September 19, 2024.
  6. Lymphedema. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. August 26, 2024.
  7. Thompson B et al. Manual Lymphatic Drainage Treatment for Lymphedema: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Journal of Cancer Survivorship. April 2021.
  8. Komagata S. Kanpumasatsu: A Superficial Self-Massage With a Dry Towel to Enhance Relaxation and Immune Functions. Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice. February 8, 2023.
  9. How to Relieve Muscle Soreness After a Massage. Cleveland Clinic. February 2, 2024.