Dry Body Brushing vs. Wet Body Brushing: Supporting Your Lymphatic System

Living with lymphoedema means being proactive about self-care and skin health.

One technique that often appears in blogs and social media groups is dry body brushing. But recently, I had an insightful conversation with local therapist Vida Probert from the Restorative Body Clinic, who introduced me to the idea of wet body brushing.

For someone like me, with extremely dry skin despite daily moisturising and hydration, this approach feels more intuitive. It also sparked my curiosity: could wet body brushing offer benefits for the lymphatic system?

Vida’s practice blends east-meets-west traditions, which encouraged me to dig deeper. What surprised me most was discovering just how far back the practice of body brushing goes and the wide range of benefits it was historically believed to bring.

In my upcoming reflections, I’ll explore:

The origins of body brushing
The differences between dry and wet techniques
Exploring whether these practices genuinely support lymphatic health reminds us that self-care is a journey; sometimes the smallest shifts in approach can open new doors to well-being.

History of Body Brushing

India – Ayurveda & Garshana

Ayurveda (5,000+ years old) introduced Garshana (“rubbing/massaging”), using raw silk or linen gloves for gentle exfoliation.
Done on dry skin before bathing, it boosted circulation and detoxification and prepared the body for herbal oils.
Often followed by warm, herb-infused baths, linking cleansing with spiritual renewal.

China – Loofah Origins

Ancient Chinese practices used dried silk squash fibres, precursors to the modern loofah.
Soaked and used wet, they scrubbed away impurities and improved skin texture.
Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the ritual symbolised harmony between external cleansing and internal health.

Japan – Cloths & Herbal Baths

Bathing culture emphasised purification and relaxation.
Textured cloths and mitts were used in hot baths with herbal infusions like green tea or yuzu.
Gentle wet brushing paired with oils was central to the onsen (hot spring) tradition, blending physical and spiritual cleansing.

Korea – Exfoliating Cloths

The Korean body cloth (Italy towel) became a hallmark of jjimjilbang (“heated room”) bathhouses.
Wet scrubbing followed hot pool soaks to soften skin.
Still widely practiced today, trusted by aestheticians worldwide.

Middle East – Hammam Rituals

Turkish hammams and Persian traditions used coarse mitts (kese/kiseh) with soap and steam.
Mineral pastes like sefidab (animal fats + minerals), dating back to 2000–4500 BC, enhanced exfoliation.
Rituals emphasised renewal, skin health, and community bonding.

Why It Endured

Eastern traditions have long held that exfoliation and circulation help remove dead skin cells while stimulating blood flow. Body brushing is believed to encourage detoxification and vitality, supporting the lymphatic system. Beyond its physical benefits, the practice symbolises renewal, balance, and preparation for oils and herbal remedies. In bathhouses and hammams, brushing became a communal and spiritual ritual, fostering both physical well-being and emotional connection.

Here’s what you need to know about each, how they differ, and how to use them safely.

What is Dry Body Brushing?

The Benefits

Dry body brushing is a routine that may benefit your daily skin care routine using a natural bristle brush moving lightly and smoothly across the skin. Vigorous motions should be avoided to prevent any potential harm or rupture of the skin.

The aim is to eliminate dead skin cells and prevent the skin from drying out; body brushing will leave the skin feeling silky smooth. Additionally, body brushing aids in the removal of pollutants and promotes cell renewal. It could significantly benefit the lymphatic system by stimulating lymphatic flow. In addition to increasing circulation and blood flow, body brushing stimulates the sebaceous and sweat glands. Because I have exceptionally dry skin, I incorporate body brushing into my skincare regimen around three times per week. This is my personal choice. Occasionally, it increases my urge to urinate, but it is simply my body eliminating excess fluid, so I do not mind that as a side effect.

The increasing hardening of the skin known as fibrosis may affect patients who have lymphoedema. As fibrous tissue is a common complication of lymphoedema, brushing the affected limbs of the body may provide some relief.

Dry body brushing involves using a dry, natural-bristle brush to gently stroke the skin, usually in the direction toward the heart. The technique is believed to:

Stimulate lymphatic flow and encourage fluid drainage
Exfoliate dead skin cells, helping to prevent skin cracking and infection
Exfoliation is gentler on the skin and better that using exfoliants full of chemicals that may strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to skin dryness
By removing dead skin cells, dry brushing allows the skin to absorb more moisture
Improve blood circulation and skin appearance
Improves skin elasticity leaving the skin feeling softer and more silky

Product Tips:

Choose a brush with soft, natural bristles and a long handle for hard-to-reach areas. Avoid synthetic or stiff brushes, which can irritate sensitive skin. Some people prefer brushes with detachable heads for easier cleaning.

How to Dry Brush:

Always brush toward the heart, using gentle, circular strokes.
Focus on areas with lymph nodes (armpits, neck, groin).
Avoid areas with broken skin, rashes, or active swelling.
Clean your brush after each use to prevent bacteria buildup.
The best time to brush is in the morning before a shower

Where to buy?

You can buy your brush at pharmacies and supermarkets, and I bought mine at a garden centre. Look for a natural bristle brush. I have a brush that has a long handle to reach the parts of the body that are difficult to reach. I can separate the head and handle to use on its own, and the handy strap means I can slip it on my hand, which allows me to hold the head of the brush firmly.

Keep your brush clean

When dry brushing, remember that the brush will collect dead skin cells and bacteria within the bristles and the base of the bristles. To prevent cellulitis/infection, please cleanse the brush after each use. Use hot soapy water and dry in natural sunlight or face down on a clean towel.

Natural bristle brush. Use with long handle or detach to use as hand brush

Wet Body Brushing

How to Wet Brush:

Wet the brush and your skin before starting.
Use gentle, upward strokes toward the heart.
Rinse the skin thoroughly after brushing.
Moisturize after showering to keep skin hydrated.

Safety Considerations for both Dry and Wet Body Brushing

Never brush over broken, infected, or inflamed skin.
Stop dry brushing if skin becomes irritated or inflamed.
Avoid dry brushing on post-surgical skin, as skin will be extremely sensitive. Dry brushing may cause irritation, inflammation, or even skin tears, especially if the area is healing or has stitches.
To reduce the risk of infection, avoid brushing over open wounds or cracked skin, as this can introduce bacteria and increase the chance of spreading infection.
Be extra gentle if you have sensitive skin or are prone to skin tears.
If you notice redness, pain, or increased swelling, stop immediately.

Dry brushing may not be suitable for people with skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea.

Dry brushing is not a substitute for medical care or professional lymphatic drainage massage.
Consult your lymphoedema therapist before starting any new self-care routine.

What does the research say?

There are currently no scientific studies specifically proving that dry or wet body brushing reduces lymphoedema or improves lymphatic drainage.
Some practitioners and patients report benefits such as reduced swelling and improved skin health, but these are anecdotal.
Dry brushing is widely used as a complementary self-care technique, especially for exfoliation and circulation.
One study on a similar technique (Kanpumasatsu, a dry towel massage) showed immune stimulation, but more research is needed.

Final Thoughts

In essence, wet body brushing in Eastern cultures was never just about skin care; it was a holistic practice blending health, beauty, and spirituality. It linked the body to nature (herbs, oils, and fibres) and community (shared baths), which is why it remains a timeless ritual across Asia and the Middle East.

Dry and wet body brushing can be gentle, practical additions to your self-care routine, especially for maintaining healthy skin. While research is limited, many people with lymphoedema find these techniques helpful for skin health and relaxation. It’s important to note that some therapists do not recommend dry body brushing.

My aim, as always, is to provide information so you can make your own informed choice. However, I strongly encourage you to consult your lymphoedema therapist before trying any new methods.

Page first published 2015
Last Updated 8th December 2025

Next Review 2027