The short answer
You start in a warm, steamy room to open the pores. Then savon beldi, the soft black olive-oil soap, is spread on and left for several minutes. Next comes the gommage, a firm scrub with a coarse kessa glove. A rhassoul clay mask often follows, then a warm rinse, and many spa rituals finish with an argan-oil massage.
In more detail
In a private riad or spa hammam, an attendant does each step for you and supplies the products. In a public neighbourhood hammam, regulars bring their own soap, glove and towel and wash themselves, or pay a little extra for an attendant to scrub them.
The scrub surprises first-timers. It is brisk and energetic, and it lifts away a lot of dead skin; that is normal and part of the point. It should not hurt, and you can ask the attendant to ease off at any time.
Allow time. A full ritual with steam, scrub, mask and massage is not something to rush, and you will feel relaxed and a little drowsy afterwards. Many travellers save it for the afternoon or early evening, after a day in the souks or on a day trip.
Good to know
- Drink water before and after.
- Plan nothing demanding straight afterwards.
- Check with your doctor first if you are pregnant or have a medical condition.