Inside Traditional Moroccan Hammam's

What it is:

Once a week, Moroccans gather at communal bath houses to engage in a traditional full-body cleansing. A Hammam (or public bath), is a time-honored cleansing ritual practiced Eastern Europe, northern Africa and the Middle East.

Traditional Hammam services begin with relaxation in a large steam room to open the pores. Then you are covered with a coat of olive oil product which is followed by the “gommage,” another name for a full-body exfoliation. A heavy clay mask follows to release impurities followed with cold cloth mask removal to close pores. To complete the cleansing, you are given a full body massage.

Sounds luxurious? It could be. A Hammam service at a spa will provide a luxurious experience. So if you are a germ-a-phobe, ultra sensitive to modesty or sanitation, spend a bit extra and take it to the spa.

Otherwise, the traditional communal bath houses that are frequented by locals provide an authentic experience. You will be surrounded by dead skin cells flowing across the floor, strangers scrubbing themselves in their skivvies, etc. The ceilings are pierced with small holes to allow in natural light, the walls permeate with steam from a wooded fire, the floors are crawling with gossiping locals, screaming children, and people lined upon the walls. Do not expect a serene experience. But once you make it through - the skin you will leave in will be the softest skin of your adult life.

Where it is:

Common in all neighborhoods of Marrakech, Morocco, these bath houses may be difficult for westerners to find because they are labeled in Arabic. Look for squalls of people entering a public house with bathing tools.

Dress:

These bathhouses are not usually attended in the nude (with the exception of children) - undergarments are typically worn. As in keeping with the modesty of that region, skimpy under-things are frowned upon. Women always cover wet hair upon leaving.

Sanitation:

It is likely that your exfoliation will not be performed with new (or even sanitized) exfoliating glove, so either bring your own or go to a spa that performs the authentic service with sanitary accoutrements. Stop by the souk, pick up a small rinsing dish, “black soap,” a kiis (exfoliating glove,) and a mat to sit on. This is a full bathing experience, so bring your other products and grooming supplies.

Cost: About $10:00

Cautions:

Be prepared to exercise respect and mindfulness to their actions while you partake in their ritual.

• Know when to rinse. Watch those around you.
• Brace yourself for the exfoliation, this is a heavy duty scrub that you have likely never experienced.
• Watch the water flow before choosing an area to seat – you could possibly land yourself in the direct flow of drainage.
• Taking more than two buckets of water in considered greedy.
• If you splash those around you with cold water, prepare to get a mouthful.

To read more about Worldwide Beauty Rituals, visit Beauty Trade Secrets on Hawaiian Skin.