What should I wear inside? What did a hammam treatment entail? Did I need a towel? A scrubbie? Soap? Was I even welcome there? This man is stoking a hammam fire. If you see this, you’ll find a local hammam on street level. What to bring to a Moroccan hammam This being said, if you have relatively ~chill~ skin (i.e., you have none of the conditions above), you can try using an exfoliating glove on your body once a week. Yes, just once a week. Even if you don’t have sensitive skin, over-exfoliating can still cause irritation, dryness, inflammation, and even rashes, says Dr. Lal. So if you're someone who has a bad habit of going overboard with skincare, store your mitt or glove in another room so you're not tempted to use it every time you're in the shower. Be realistic about how often you’ll clean them We hope this post has inspired you to be brave and try out a hammam while you’re in Morocco. It’s a great experience and will give you a glow that you never knew was possible! Just like at a tourist hammam, women can either go naked or wear bikini bottoms or underwear. In the hammams I’ve been to, most women wear a pair of underwear. If you’re blonde down there, a pair of underwear will save you from lots of enquiring looks at your private parts.

On your first visit, I recommend going to a tourist hammam, sometimes known as a hammam spa. Or you could just get a hammam treatment at your riad. Going to the hammam is a seriously deep cleaning experience. Especially if you have a treatment from a pro, you will not believe how much dead skin is removed.Note for ladies: You can go to a hammam on your period. Just use a tampon or menstrual cup and wear good underwear! Step 2: Relax for five minutes

Not only has Emily Algar combed the market for all the top-rated exfoliating gloves to help you find the best pair, but she has road-tested a bunch as well.As you’re wandering around the streets of the medina near your riad, keep your eyes open for any of these signs that there’s a traditional hammam nearby:

Once the soap is all off, the torture starts. No, I don’t want to freak you out but this step can be extremely… uncomfortable. Reminder: You absolutely should not be using an exfoliating glove if you have sensitive skin or inflammatory skin conditions (like psoriasis, eczema, or active cystic acne) since the abrasive material can trigger even more inflammation and flare-ups. Exfoliating gloves should also not be used on your face or on skin that’s covered in acne, folliculitis, or cuts, says dermatologist Karan Lal, MD, because they can easily spread bacteria and/or result in infection. After being dragged through the process by a local woman with whom I shared not one word of common language, I realized it would have been much more fun if I’d come prepared.Because of this, you shouldn’t head to the hammam on a daily basis or your skin will be very angry! If you’re not used to exfoliating like this, I would suggest going a maximum of twice a week but once a week is probably plenty.

This will be dependent on the gloves you have specifically, but a warm, gentle machine wash is a good place to start. Leave them someplace dry between uses to prevent bacteria build-up as well. You’ll feel more comfortable (and get fewer stares). Plus, hammam spas have someone there who can help you through the process, since they’ll assume you don’t know what to do. 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!

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If you’re anything like me, at this point your body will feel like jelly and your mind will be free of any cares. That cup of tea will give you the chance to wake up a little before facing the outside world, a shinier, sparklier version of yourself. Tips for Visiting a Local’s Hammam in Morocco How to find a local’s hammam