Dry brushing : boost lymphatic flow for lighter legs

Why make dry brushing part of your routine as the warmer days return ?

For many, summer often brings sensations of heavy, swollen, or tired legs. By activating both the lymphatic system and blood circulation, dry brushing helps mobilise stagnant fluids, flush out toxins, and prevent water retention.

Beyond its detoxifying benefits, dry brushing also prepares the skin for sun exposure just like a gentle exfoliation. It removes dead skin cells and clears clogged pores, leaving the skin smoother and softer. As a result, your tan develops more evenly, appears brighter, and lasts longer.

Heavy legs are also common during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester. The reason: the uterus increases in volume and compresses the main vein responsible for returning blood to the heart.
This makes dry brushing a helpful companion not only in summer but all year long to support circulation, minimise water retention, and bring lightness and comfort to the legs.

How to properly dry brush your legs

Ideally performed before your shower on completely dry skin (without oil or lotion), begin your lymphatic drainage routine by holding your brush horizontally:

• Pump the arch of the foot with your hand (5 times)
• Brush the top of the foot and the sides of the ankle (5 times)
• Move up the calf with long strokes, first on the front, then the back (3 to 5 times)

At knee level:
• Brush from the outer knee toward the back, directing movements toward the lymph nodes (7 times)
• Repeat on the inner knee in the same direction (10 times)

On the thigh:
• At the front, brush the outer thigh upward, all the way to the top of the leg and toward the groin. Repeat on the front and inner thigh (3 times each)
• At the back, use long strokes toward the underside of the glutes, then follow the natural fold toward the groin (3 times)

To finish, hold your brush vertically and make a long, continuous movement along the entire leg, from the foot to the groin, on both the front and the back of the leg (3 times).