When you think about detoxing, you might think of taking an inside-out approach.  After all, there are a lot of things you can put into your body to help remove toxins. You can swig a detox drink. Or cleanse your colon with an enema solution. But you can also detox your body by showing some love to that extra-large organ that occupies your outer body: your skin. Dry brushing is one way to detox from the outside-in.

Related: 8 Detox Methods That Really Work

So what is dry brushing? Dry brushing is the ancient practice of methodically swiping a brush over your dry skin to help stimulate the lymphatic system, exfoliate your skin, and unlock other powerful health benefits in the process.

How does dry brushing help you detox?

“Detoxing means cleaning out the body — removing toxins, clearing out your jammed hormone receptors, and resetting key hormones,” says Dr. Sara Gottfried, MD, author of “The Hormone Cure” and “The Hormone Reset Diet,” and “Younger.” “One of the most common obstacles to detox is a sluggish lymphatic system.”

That’s where dry brushing comes in. “Unlike the network of arteries and veins which rely on the heart to circulate blood, your lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump and instead relies on muscle motion to improve circulation. If you don’t move regularly with most of your muscles, your lymph can stagnate and waste accumulates,” she says. Dry brushing stimulates the lymphatic system, which “catches waste from cells, environmental toxins, and pathogenic organisms. Regular dry brushing can help you remove lymphatic waste more efficiently.”[ref url=”https://www.jidsponline.org/article/S0022-202X(15)52853-4/fulltext#s0020″]

The benefits of dry brushing

Better lymphatic circulation may lead to  other health perks as well, including improved digestive and respiratory function, according to Gottfried. “I think of dry brushing as self lymphatic drainage massage,” she says.

Here’s a quick look at some other potential benefits of dry brushing.

Smooth skin

Your skin might be the most obvious beneficiary of dry brushing, thanks to the soft but densely packed bristles that slough off dead skin cells. “Dry brushing is fantastic for skin exfoliation, especially during the winter months when skin is typically dry,” says Jamie Starkey, LAc, lead acupuncturist at the Cleveland Clinic’s Wellness Institute.

In addition to more touchable skin, dry brushing can lead to clearer, brighter, smoother skin, too. Dry brushing removes built-up skin cells and debris than can block pores and lead to acne. It also helps get rid of keratin buildup that causes “chicken skin” (aka keratosis pilaris), according to Gottfried. To boot, by increasing circulation, dry brushing gives skin a rosier, glowier appearance.

Reduced cellulite

One of the most touted dry brushing benefits is its ability to banish the appearance of cellulite (you know, that cottage cheese-like dimpled skin that affects 80 to 90 percent of women).[ref url=”https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs40257-015-0129-5″] But despite the people who sing these praises, there’s not yet much scientific evidence to back up these anecdotal reports. One small study did find that lymphatic drainage massage helped thin subcutaneous fat in people with cellulite.[ref url=”https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1468-3083.2009.03355.x”] However, there’s an overall lack of studies proving the effectiveness of any cellulite treatment.[ref url=”https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs40257-015-0129-5″] “What people may interpret as cellulite reduction is probably just a temporary plumping up of the skin from increased blood circulation,” says Starkey.

More energy

Another possible side effect of dry brushing? A short-term energy boost. Though currently there’s not scientific research that directly links dry brushing to increased energy, by improving  circulation and removing toxins, dry brushing may give you a temporary jolt, according to Gottfried. “Dry brushing daily before you bathe in the morning can be an invigorating addition to your morning cup of caffeine,” she says.

How can you tell if your body’s due for a dry-brush detox?

“There are many signs that your lymphatic system may need a dry brushing boost,” Gottfried says. First, look down. “You may notice pooling of lymphatic fluid in your lower legs, near your ankles and feet,” she says. Frequent colds, fatigue, brain fog, inflammation, skin breakouts, or even mood swings may also point to an out-of-whack lymphatic system. Of course, check in with your primary care physician to make sure these symptoms aren’t pointing to another issue, Starkey cautions.

Related: Forget Juice Cleanses. Autophagy Is the Real Way to Detox Your Body

How do you dry brush — and how often should you dry brush?

Ready to jumpstart your lymphatic system? Grab a natural-bristle brush—ideally one with a long handle so you can reach your back.

As you’ve probably picked up on from the name of the practice, you’ll want to start with dry skin. Begin from your feet and work upward. Use long fluid strokes, moving toward your heart, on your limbs and circular motions on your torso and back. “I move in the upward direction. It can be sensitive on the abdomen, breasts and neck, so lighten up pressure as needed.” Once you get to your back, you can use downward strokes.

“Generally, you dry brush once a day and shower immediately afterward to wash off dead skin cells,” Starkey says. “Applying lotion afterward puts moisture back into your skin.” If your skin is sensitive or looks irritated, cut back to once a week.

Is there anyone who shouldn’t try dry brushing?

Nearly everyone can benefit from detoxing, according to Gottfried, but there are a few people who should think twice before putting those bristles to their skin:

Dry brushing might be too abrasive for hypersensitive skin, and you certainly don’t want to dry brush if you have any kind of sores or wounds on your skin.

And use common sense: People with specific conditions and women who are pregnant or nursing should discuss risks and alternatives with a physician first.

“People with adrenal burnout and slow thyroid function should work with a collaborative clinician who can adjust the protocol as needed so it’s not too harsh or aggressive,” Gottfried adds. “But dry brushing is a gentle way to augment your body’s detoxification pathways.”