What is the difference between a hammam spa and a regular spa?
Hammam differs slightly from the traditional thermal spa. While both are profoundly relaxing and good for the skin, rather than using thermal waters, hammam treatments use hot steam to encourage a deep and invigorating cleanse. This characteristic makes the hammam particularly effective for moisturizing the skin and decongesting the respiratory tract , while the sauna has more therapeutic virtues, acting on the muscles and nervous system. As a result, the two practices operate in opposite ways – one with moist heat, the other with dry heat.How Hammam’s Heat Therapy Benefits Everyone. Relieves sinus congestion – It may come as no surprise that steam and heat open clogged airways. It’s why a hot bath and steaming cup of tea feels so good when you’re sick with a cold or flu.The hammam increases the ability to exchange oxygen in the lungs, improving the bronchial system. The opening of the airways helps unclog, improving episodes of cold, sinusitis and cough.The Finnish sauna offers dry heat, while the hammam is known for its humid heat. Skin Benefits: The hammam is often preferred for its skin benefits due to humidity and treatments like scrubs and massages. The Finnish sauna is more associated with muscle relaxation.
What happens in hammam spa?
Hammam differs slightly from the traditional thermal spa. While both are profoundly relaxing and good for the skin, rather than using thermal waters, hammam treatments use hot steam to encourage a deep and invigorating cleanse. As we mentioned, modesty is most welcome in Turkish hammams. Even though you might feel comfortable being completely nude, it is not a common practice in a Turkish bath. All hamam attendants wear a hammam towel called peştemal or in some modern hammams, the attendants might have special uniforms.Unlike Turkish baths, the Moroccan hammam diffuses dry heat. On request, a steam generator can be activated. You must wear a disposable bikini or boxer shorts provided, but, if necessary (presence of children, friends, etc.There is some strict hamam etiquette to be followed: There is no mixing! Turkish bath has two sections, one for each gender, or it admits men and women at separate times of the day.Almost all traditional hamams either have separate sections or separate bathing times for men and women, with attendants of the same gender. A scant few such as the Süleymaniye Hamam next to the mosque of the same name offer mixed bathing for male-female couples.
What not to do after a hammam?
Avoid Hot Showers or Baths: It’s recommended to avoid hot showers or baths immediately after the hammam treatment, as your body has already experienced heat during the session. A men’s hammam experience begins with a steam session, allowing the body to relax and prepare for cleansing. This is followed by a kese (exfoliation treatment) to remove dead skin cells, leaving the skin soft and revitalized. Afterward, guests receive a foam massage, which relaxes the muscles and enhances circulation.The Hammam is a hot steam bath which regenerates and purifies the body. The ritual requires staying in a space with a humidity of up to 100% and a relatively low temperature, approximately 48°C.This body treatment makes itself known around the world for being a relaxing and cleansing ritual that is centuries old and as part to Moroccan life as tagine and mint tea. In the hammam, your whole body is cleansed, exfoliated, and nourished.At its core, the hammam is a sequence of steam, exfoliation, cleansing, and massage. But physiologically, it’s a powerhouse: Steam promotes circulation and detoxification, while exfoliation removes dead skin, improving the skin’s barrier and allowing it to function more effectively.
What to know before a hammam?
You’ll need to bring your own soap and hammam glove (called a kessa) for exfoliation which you can easily grab at the souks on the way. Men go with boxers or bathing suit bottoms, whereas women go naked or with bikini bottoms. The telltale sign that you’re not from around there is if you’re wearing a top, apparently. Women can either go naked or wear bikini bottoms or underwear into the hammam. I always wear my bikini bottoms because, hey, I just feel more comfortable that way! Men must wear bottoms.Nevertheless, clothing rules are somewhat relaxed in the hammam. Women often go in naked while men will wear a loincloth or towel. This can be awkward for a first-time visitor.Women can prefer a bikini bottom and a top that cover the back of the body. When you enter the bathhouse, before washing yourself completely naked, you will need to undress using towels or a cover such as a bathrobe. Men can wear a swimsuit or swimming shorts.
How long should you stay in a hammam?
To enjoy the benefits of a hammam, stay there for a minimum of 30 minutes and a maximum of 1 hour, rest and lie on the floor or on the benches. Before you step foot in the hammam, there are some pre-bath rituals you must honor. Most importantly, don’t forget to shower! It’s a common courtesy and helps to keep the communal space clean. Think of it as washing away your worries and the city grime before entering your serene sanctuary.Etiquette: Follow the hammam etiquette, which includes being respectful to staff and other patrons, keeping noise levels low, and following the dress code (usually swimwear or a pestemal). Relax and Enjoy: The hammam experience is meant to be relaxing.Do I Need to Shave Before Going to a Turkish Hammam Bath (For Women)? Unlike some cultures with bathhouse traditions, shaving before a Hammam visit is entirely up to your personal preference. There’s no pressure to shave, and the Hammam experience is designed to be suitable for everyone.