Does dry brushing detox your body? Brushing the surface of the skin may exfoliate it, but evidence does not establish that it removes toxins. Decide what you want from the practice before you try it.
Treat it as a skin care choice
If you are interested in exfoliation, consider how your skin reacts to friction. Ask a dermatologist if you have sensitive skin, a rash or a condition that affects how you care for your skin.
Avoid irritated or injured skin
Do not brush open wounds or irritated areas. Stop if a practice causes discomfort or irritation. If symptoms persist, seek advice from a qualified clinician.
Look for support for the specific claim
A claim about removing toxins should identify what is removed and how that was measured. If a provider cannot explain the evidence behind the claim, take that into account when deciding whether to spend money.
Ask whether dry brushing detoxes your body before buying a brush
Write down what you want the brush to do. If the goal is smoother skin, talk with a skin care professional about whether exfoliation makes sense for you. If the goal is to remove a specific substance from your body, ask what the seller claims to remove and what evidence shows that it was measured.
Choose a skin care routine you can evaluate
Consider how your skin has responded to friction or new products before. If a practice causes discomfort, pause and review it with a professional if needed. Keep the packaging for anything you have used. A dermatologist can help you decide whether a gentler routine fits your skin and the result you want.
For more detail, see the American Academy of Dermatology’s guide to safe exfoliation. Also see What Is Body Detox? for another part of this series.