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There's always a new skin trend popping up rumored to vanish wrinkles, smooth dimples and zap cellulite. But most turn out to be temporary tricks and, more often than not, too good to be true. Cue dry brushing—is it really worth the hype?

Dry brushing, as the term suggests, quite literally entails brushing your bare skin—thighs, butt, arms, you name it—with a soft-bristled brush in order to give skin a fresher, smoother appearance. While there is scant scientific research to back up claims that it cures cellulite, it has some cosmetic benefits, explains Mona Gohara, MD, a dermatologist at the Yale School of Medicine—although they are fleeting at best.

The motion improves circulation and helps flush waste and toxins by stimulating the lymphatic system, explains Dr. Gohara, who is also a fellow of American Academy of Dermatology. "Doing all of that can certainly parlay into skin radiance and glow and a plumper appearance."

Another power of dry brushing is the element of exfoliation, she adds. While exfoliating "won't shave off 20 years," Dr. Gohara says, it helps remove dry, dead skin cells and makes your derm more susceptible to moisture and hydration. "Exfoliation really is a tenant of healthy, younger-looking skin."

RELATED: The Best Retinol Creams You Can Buy Without a Prescription

How to dry brush properly

Using a brush made with natural, ultra-fine bristles, run the brush over your bare skin in gentle, circular motions. It's best to do it before you shower; both your skin and the brush should be dry. "I generally recommend doing it once a week, one pass per body part," Dr. Gohara adds.

The brush makes all the difference; stiff or synthetic bristles can cause irritation or even microscopic cuts. "You should use a brush that would be safe even on a baby's skin," Dr. Gohara recommends.

You should avoid dry brushing if you have very sensitive skin, acne, or a condition like rosacea or eczema. "There's a good chance any type of sensitive skin will react to this type of stimulation," she says.

You may notice plump, fresh skin for a couple of hours. "Think about it," Dr. Gohara explains, "when we go for a jog, our hearts are pumping blood to our organs, our face gets flushed, and then it fades away. Or imagine what happens when you pinch your cheeks."

The bottom line: Dry brushing can act as a short-lived fix to energize your skin. But is it a permanent anti-aging solution for all lumps and bumps? "Absolutely not," she says. "All of us would be scrubbing ourselves with brushes constantly, every day."

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RELATED: 15 Myths and Facts About Cellulite

Five dry brushes to try

Our top picks boast natural, soft-to-the-touch bristles and various handle lengths to reach any lower or upper body area…

What is worse than getting out of the shower and having to spend 10 minutes painfully yanking through the snarly bird's nest on your head? Nothing. The answer is nothing. (OK, some things, but practically nothing.) I have long, thick, hard-to-manage locks, so this is a particularly sensitive topic for me. But I've found the fix: the Wet Brush.

Actually, my best friend found it. While visiting me last weekend, she got all excited and skipped over to her suitcase because she had "a surprise you're going to love!" She then unveiled the most underwhelming pink, plastic hair brush I've ever seen. I was too quick to judge its basic appearance because this thing lived up to its name. The detangling brush could comb through my knotted post-shower strands very quickly and without tugging on my scalp, leaving my hair silky smooth. It also worked just as well working through my dry bed-head hair the next morning. The power lies in the thin, "IntelliFlex" bristles that can bend and wiggle through tangles without tugging or causing damage.

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I bought my own immediately (it's only $9 on amazon.com), and I now notice an obvious difference when I happen to pick up my icky, evil old brush. Another hack? Use it in the shower with conditioner for an even silkier mane when you blow dry. Moms out there, this beauty steal could be a lifesaver for anyone who struggles combing their child's hair sans tears.

The Wet Brush comes in a few different shapes and sizes, including a full-size paddle option ($10; amazon.com), as well as a Wet Brush "Squirt" ($7; amazon.com) that is adorable and mini and perfect for your purse or gym bag. You're welcome!

Leave it to Chrissy Teigen to share yet another super relatable moment on Instagram. One of the many reasons why this outspoken A-list momma is a social media queen (hey, 20 million-plus Instagram followers and counting) is that she isn't afraid to give us a glimpse into what's really happening behind the scenes of her glamorous life. Hilarious beauty treatments included.

Teigen most recently shared her mid-week spa day with the Internet. She first snapped a photo with a decadent cream lathered over her face, and then shared another image of an intense (and slightly terrifying) device being circled over her face and neck to "tighten" her skin by a professional.

In the final snap, we saw Teigen chilling out in the luxurious Deesse Pro LED mask from celebrity facialist Shani Darden, which we're seriously coveting. We'll admit: We're a little envious of Teigen's pampering session as we sit at our office desks trying to work (is it Friday yet?). We also appreciate the mid-week laugh while watching Teigen try to drink from a straw as she wears the Halloween-like mask. She. Keeps. Missing. Her. Mouth. LOL.

But while Teigen's mask looks really cool, are LED masks actually beneficial to your skin? And, most importantly, are they safe to use?

Absolutely, experts say. LED (light emitting diodes) are essentially just infrared lights that are found in different wavelengths depending on the color, says New York-based dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD. These lights help to clear skin and also offer anti-aging benefits, she tells us. "LED lights don't cause burns or skin damage, which makes them great for every skin type and color," Dr. Nazarian adds. However, she does recommend that clients wear eye protection during a professional treatment.

We may not be able to afford Teigen's LED mask, but there are at-home options that work well, too. "[These masks] stimulate collagen production certainly more slowly than a laser done in a doctor's office, but they are safe and effective," says Debra Jaliman, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist and author of Skin Rules ($16; amazon.com). She tells us that she's a big fan of these types of masks herself.

To buy: Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Treatment Face Mask (on sale for $30; amazon.com)

Curious as to what all the fuss is about, but don't want to drop a lot of money? This $30 dupe from Neutrogena won't break the bank and is dermatologist-approved. Dr. Jaliman has tried it and confirms it's incredibly easy to use, quick, and totally painless. The box contains one Light Therapy Acne Face Mask, which helps clear breakouts and allows your skin to heal with the help of blue and red lights that target acne-causing bacteria and reduce inflammation…