What is the difference between a hammam and a spa?
Different Environments: The Turkish hammam offers a humid environment, while the sauna offers a dry temperature. The spa, on the other hand, is usually located in a luxurious resort. Skin Care: While the Turkish hammam and some spa facilities focus on skin care, the sauna is more limited in terms of skin care. The word hammam translates as “bath,” but it has nothing to do with the kind of hot tubs you might find at a hotel spa or spa resort. A traditional hammam is an experience that combines relaxation and detoxification in one relaxing space: the steam rooms, saunas, showers—and even baths—are all part of your treatment!HAMMAM IS SIMPLICITY Respect the silence, the space and the intimacy of others, and maintain a minimum of decorum. The use of a swimsuit is compulsory (swimsuit or bikini). If you have not brought one, do not worry, as you can purchase one on reception. It is also compulsory to shower before entering the thermal baths.Using a similar traditional method akin to Roman baths, the process inside a hammam allows visitors to perspire in dry heat, followed by full body scrubbing (by oneself or another), and finally being washed by cooler water. Baths are separated by gender, and are seen as a place to socialise, relax, and cleanse.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.The oldest Hammams comprise several rooms, each with a different temperature and levels of humidity. The sequence usually includes a hot room, followed by a steam bath, and finally immersion in cold or warm water. There are also several common rooms for socialising and conversation.
What is the difference between a spa and a hammam?
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. The benefits of hammam are numerous. The deep cleansing removes impurities, promoting better circulation and a radiant complexion. The exfoliation process helps shed dead skin cells, leaving your skin feeling incredibly smooth and soft.Going to the hammam provides many benefits for skin health. Thanks to its benefits such as skin cleansing, blood circulation increase, stress reduction, skin softening and acne control, regular visits to the hammam can give your skin a healthy and beautiful appearance.The principle of the hammam is simple: you wash down and sweat in a steam room before being scrubbed free of at least five layers of skin and bathed again. On our services list, you could also opt to follow up the steam and scour with a soothing foam wash, a relaxing oil massage, and a pore-cleansing face mask.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.
What happens in hammam spa?
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. Although today we think of bathing as a private activity, the public bath, or hammam, was a vital social institution in any Middle Eastern city for centuries before the advent of modern plumbing.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.Rooted in tradition, a hammam is a Middle Eastern wellbeing practice that dates back to the Roman and Byzantine eras and is essentially a steam bath experience (that might include a pool or a steam room) that can be shared with other people.While the image of a traditional bathhouse might conjure up visions of ladies in fluffy towels sipping herbal teas, the tide is turning. More and more men are stepping into the soothing embrace of hammams, discovering the unique blend of relaxation, rejuvenation, and community that these age-old bathing rituals offer.
What happens in a private hammam?
Private Hammams: Often located in riads – like on the ground floor of Riad al Massarah as well, hotels, or high-end spas, private hammams offer a more luxurious experience with added privacy. These hammams typically provide pampering treatments like massages and exotic scrubs with a more serene atmosphere. Designed to cleanse the body and relax the mind, Turkish baths – also known as hammams – are a major part of the culture in countries like Turkey and Morocco. And, if you’re staying in one of these destinations this summer, there’s every reason to take part.Islam places great emphasis on personal hygiene and cleanliness for every Muslim. It encourages people to maintain purity, remove impurities, and take care of their appearance. The Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, permitted his companions to use the bathhouses (hammams) in the region of Sham (Greater Syria).In Morocco, there are two kinds of Hammams: private and public. Hammams are bathhouses where people get a vigorous scrub down by a friend/stranger in public or an attendant in private.
What do people do in hammam?
A hammam is a traditional Moroccan spa. It is the place to relax, unwind and detoxify. You can also meet new people while you are there, or maybe even make some new friends! Hammams are known for their pampering treatments: they offer hot steam baths (sometimes called “hammams”), massages, body scrubs and more! For men, the hammam towel is tied around the waist. For women, it is tied around the chest to cover your chest to your hips. Depending on how comfortable you feel, you can either wear your underwear or swimwear under your hammam towel. Some places offer you disposable underwear.Some hammams have introduced mixed-gender sessions. These sessions typically require swimsuits to ensure everyone feels comfortable. It’s a fantastic option for couples to enjoy a romantic and rejuvenating experience together, or for friends to create lasting memories while indulging in self-care.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. You can wear underwear or a bathing suit, or sometimes you will be given a disposable pair of underwear to put on.Many hammams offer choices for everyone. Some have separate times for men and women, just like in the old days. Others have special times for couples or groups to enjoy the hammam together. There might even be private hammam experiences, so you can relax without anyone else around.
What not to do after a hammam?
It’s recommended to avoid hot showers or baths immediately after the hammam treatment, as your body has already experienced heat during the session. Restroom Use: Use the restroom before your treatment to ensure that you’re comfortable during the entire experience. The use of the Turkish bath can be beneficial for many people, but there are some contraindications, and it is necessary to take precautions. Before using a Hammam, domestic or in public spas, it is always better to consult a healthcare professional, especially if there are pre-existing medical conditions.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.Benefits of a Hammam Spa Thanks to the use of steam, scrubs, and massage that are so often part of the experience, a trip to the hammam can lead to a considerable increase in blood flow and therefore stimulate the senses. Being that it is a spa, it is also incredibly 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.