The Moroccan Hammam purifies both the body and mind, as believed in Morocco. The history of this ritual dates back to ancient times. In Morocco, the hammam occupies a central place, representing much more than just a public bath. It is an inherited tradition, a religious ritual, a health necessity, and a social practice all at once.
What is a Moroccan Hammam?
It is a moist heat bath, very different from the sauna, which is based on dry heat. It is also different from the Turkish bath, almost wholly steamed. The Moroccan hammam heats thanks to a coil system up to mid-height. Unlike the Turkish bath, it is moist but not filled with moisture.
Inspired by the Roman baths that the Arabs discovered during the conquest of Syria, the hammam is currently and often composed of a single room or even two for exfoliation. However, it is its shortened version that we know today. Traditionally, it includes several rooms (minimum 3), which will increase in temperature to reach the hottest room by 50°. The goal is to evolve within these rooms by accustoming the body to progressively more intense heat. Thanks to this heat, the skin will become more supple, and the pores will open.
Moroccan hammam: anti-stress detox
The Muslim religion recommends the practice of purifying ablutions, especially before prayer. This is the reason why the hammam was quickly annexed to the mosque.
Therefore, their place is outside the center of the City, like the Roman baths. Still, they are distributed in the different districts of the City. It is a central meeting place in a Muslim society where a large part of social life occurs.
Unlike Turkish baths, the Moroccan hammam diffuses dry heat. Traditionally, it is made up of three parts which differ in their respective temperature and function:
The Roman frigidarium, which came before the first room, is the same temperature as the rest of the room. The short corridor acts as a foyer and a place to rest after the session.
This small hallway leads to a warm, 40-degree room called the “harara,” a copy of the Roman tepidarium where different treatments and body massages can be done.
This room is adjacent to a steam room, the Moroccan version of the Roman laconicum.
The procedure of the treatment in the hammam
It is in this room that the treatment begins. The dry heat will cause profuse sweating, which deep cleans the skin.
After spending 15 or 20 minutes in this room, lying on benches on the floor, the body treatment begins in the space provided for this purpose:
The session begins with an exfoliating treatment with black soap. This completely ecological paste is made of olive oil and black olive pulp. It is often flavored with eucalyptus oil. The body is coated, then vigorously rubbed with a kesse glove.
This is followed by thorough rinsing in the shower. Your skin can then receive the famous ghassoul wrap. This gray clay from the Middle Atlas Mountains contains mineral salts, trace elements, and vitamins that will cleanse, heal, and nourish your skin.
After 20 minutes of exposure, your skin covered with Ghassoul is gorged with invigorating active ingredients. You are ready to receive a massage with argan oil, rich in vitamin E and renowned for its nourishing and restructuring properties.
The treatment ends in the restroom, the departure room, where you can sip mint tea or refreshing drinks.
How to use Moroccan hammam
The peel must be cleaned entirely by peeling and freeing it from contaminants. Accordingly, the ritual bath consists of three stages that enable this result to be achieved:
- application of black soap, which prepares the skin for exfoliation
- scrub that removes dead cells and external impurities
- application of Ghassoul to eliminate subcutaneous impurities
- application of argan oil to nourish the skin
black soap
Black soap has a pH of around 10. Therefore, it will peel off the most superficial layer of the epidermis: the layer of dead cells. A hard Marseille-type soap has a pH of around 8, so less aggressive and less effective. Black soap should be used in a warm place (hot skin softens) and on damp skin. It is associated or not with essential oils depending on the desired purpose.
The scrub
Before exfoliating your skin, rinse the black soap with hot water (if possible, wet the glove with hot water 5 minutes before). Then, exfoliate the skin with an exfoliating glove. Exfoliating salts can be a good alternative if you can’t stand the glove. There are several exfoliating salts in the Nectarine line. Lavender has a calming effect, while pelargonium wakes you up. Depending on the type of skin and the desired effect, one will be better than the other.
Ghassoul
Ghassoul means “one who washes” in Arabic. It is a product existing only in Morocco 200km south of Fez, used in Morocco since the 12th century. It is the most absorbent clay of all. Thus, using a ghassoul after the exfoliation makes it possible to suck up subcutaneous impurities and harmful bacteria.
Argan oil
Following the routine, the application of argan oil preserves the skin. In reality, exfoliation and Ghassoul destroy the hydrolipidic layer on the skin’s surface. Therefore, argan oil restores this film and prevents dryness of the skin.
Moroccan Hammam: benefits and contraindications
The treatment is highly recommended for muscle tension and joint pain.
It is a moment of great relaxation that allows you to get rid of stress. It is also very beneficial for ENT disorders such as bronchitis and sinusitis.
On the other hand, it should be avoided after a light meal and during digestion in general. Additionally, it is not advised to have low blood pressure or blood sugar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Moroccan hammam treatment?
Usually referred to as a Moroccan bath, a typical Moroccan hammam treatment involves a hot bath followed by a body scrub and massage. The hammam comprises tiled walls and a heated stone slab and is a hot, humid space. Clients lie down and get scrubbed under an attendant’s special exfoliating glove, a kessa.
Starting with a steam session in the hammam, meant to loosen the body and open the pores, the therapy uses the Kess glove to clean the customer by removing dead skin cells, leaving the skin feeling smooth and rejuvenated. Additionally, a traditional black soap created from olive oil and eucalyptus is used to exfoliate and moisturize the skin during the scrub.
Following the exfoliation, the client is rinsed with lukewarm water and massaged with argan or another encouraging oil. The massage soothes and relaxes the body, thereby softening the epidermis.
The hammam is popular in Morocco and other North African countries and is a quite rejuvenating and cleansing treatment. Since friends or family who value the shared environment and chance to relax visit hammams often, they are also regarded as a social event.
What happens during a hammam?
People who go to a hammam, which is a traditional Moroccan steam bath, usually go through a series of treatments that clean and refresh their bodies. The exact services you get may depend on the spa or hammam you go to. Still, this is a common scene in a hammam:
- The guards will lead you to a room where you can change into a blanket or towel.
- You will walk into the hammam, a heated, damp room with tiled walls and a hot stone bench. You might be given a small towel to sit on.
- After spending some time in the steam room, which is meant to open up the pores and rest the body, you could splash your body with a bowl of water to cool off.
- After you’ve been in the steam room for a while, someone will use a kessa, an exfoliation glove, to scrub your body. The scrub removes dead skin cells and makes the face smooth and refreshed.
- Traditional black soap, made from eucalyptus and olive oil, is also used to scrub the skin and keep it soft.
- After the scrub, you’ll probably be rinsed off with cold water and massaged with argan oil or another oil known for its ability to make you feel better. The massage calms the body and makes the skin soft and flexible.
- After that, you can relax and enjoy the hammam’s peaceful atmosphere before getting dressed and leaving.
Most people stay in the hammam for one to two hours. In Morocco and the rest of North Africa, it is a popular way to clean deeply and feel refreshed.
Do you wear clothes in a hammam?
In a traditional Moroccan hammam, you usually wear little clothing or a towel. Most hammams provide towels or robes for clients to wear during the treatment. You typically remove all clothing and wear only the towel or robe provided. This allows the skin to be fully exposed and easily scrubbed during the treatment.
However, suppose you feel uncomfortable being nearly naked in a communal setting. In that case, some modern spas may provide disposable undergarments or allow you to wear a swimsuit during the hammam. It’s best to check with the hammam or spa beforehand to see their dress code policy.
Do you wear a swimsuit in a hammam?
In a traditional Moroccan hammam, wearing swimwear is uncommon. Clients typically don a towel or robe during treatments so that the skin can be thoroughly exposed and scrubbed easily.
However, modern spas that cater to international tourists are increasingly allowing bathing suits in the hammam. You should contact the hammam or spa beforehand to inquire about their dress code. Suppose you are uncomfortable being nearly naked in a public setting. In that case, you may don a swimsuit or disposable undergarments.
