Moroccan Hammam in Vauxhall, London SW8
What to Expect at Your First Moroccan Hammam in Vauxhall, London SW8
Booking your first Moroccan Hammam can come with plenty of questions. What should you wear? What happens inside the steam room? What does kessa exfoliation feel like? And what should you expect when you arrive?
At Arenas Spa & Beauty in Vauxhall, London SW8, your Moroccan Hammam is a guided treatment. From the moment you arrive, our team will explain the experience and help you feel comfortable before taking you through each stage of the Hammam ritual.
From steam and traditional Moroccan black soap to kessa exfoliation, our detox body mud mask and nourishing body milk, here’s what to expect from your visit.
Arriving at Arenas Spa & Beauty
When you arrive, you’ll check in at reception and be invited to take a seat. Our reception team will offer you water and show you where the facilities are if needed.
If you haven’t already completed your consultation form online, you’ll be asked to complete it before your treatment begins. We’ll then explain the Moroccan Hammam process and give you an opportunity to ask any questions.
Before Your Moroccan Hammam
Avoid shaving or waxing for 24-48 hours beforehand, as the Hammam includes thorough physical exfoliation that may irritate recently shaved or waxed skin.
Stay well hydrated and drink water before your appointment, particularly as you’ll be spending time in a warm, steamy environment.
Avoid a large or heavy meal immediately before your treatment.
If you have sensitive skin, allergies, a skin condition or anything else you’re concerned about, please let us know before your appointment so we can discuss it with you.
Getting Ready for Your Hammam
You’ll be shown to our changing room and provided with a robe, towels, slippers and disposable underwear. Once you’re comfortable and ready, you’ll be taken into our Hammam steam room, where your treatment begins.
Step 1: Warmth & Steam
Your Moroccan Hammam begins with warmth and steam. The warm, steamy environment allows you to settle into the experience while helping to soften and prepare the skin for the cleansing and exfoliation stages that follow. If at any point you find the temperature uncomfortable, simply let your therapist know.
Step 2: Traditional Moroccan Black Soap
Once your skin has warmed, traditional Moroccan black soap, also known as Beldi soap, is applied to the body. The soap helps cleanse and soften the skin, preparing it for the Kessa exfoliation that follows.
Step 3: Traditional Kessa Glove Exfoliation
Your therapist uses a textured traditional Kessa glove with controlled movements to thoroughly exfoliate the body and remove dead skin cells from the surface. It is more thorough than an ordinary body scrub, but it should not be painful. If the pressure feels too strong, tell your therapist so it can be adjusted.
Step 4: Warm Water Rinse
Following the Kessa exfoliation, the body is thoroughly rinsed with warm water to remove the remaining black soap and exfoliated skin and prepare the body for the next stage.
Step 5: Detox Body Mud Mask
A detox body mud mask with eucalyptus, clove and rose water is applied to the body while you relax in the warmth of the Hammam steam room. This gives you time to unwind in the steam before the mud mask is removed.
Step 6: Final Rinse
After the detox body mud mask, the body is thoroughly rinsed again with warm water. The cleansing and exfoliation stages are now complete and the skin is prepared for the final nourishing treatment.
Step 7: Nourishing Body Milk
The final body-treatment step is the application of nourishing body milk. Applied to freshly exfoliated skin, it helps leave the skin feeling soft, smooth and moisturised.
Choose Your Moroccan Hammam Experience
60-Minute Moroccan Hammam – Body
A complete body-focused Moroccan Hammam ritual including steam, traditional Moroccan black soap, Kessa glove exfoliation, warm-water rinsing, the eucalyptus, clove and rose water detox body mud mask, and nourishing body milk.
90-Minute Moroccan Hammam – Body, Head & Face
Our extended experience includes the full body Hammam ritual plus additional hair and facial care.
Hair care includes a hair wash followed by a nourishing hair mask.
For the face, we use Medik8 skincare products for cleansing, exfoliation and a clay mask.
Please allow a little additional time before and after your booked treatment for check-in, consultation if required, changing and relaxation.
After Your Hammam - Relax with Moroccan Mint Tea
After your treatment, you’ll have time to return to the changing room and get ready without feeling rushed. You’re then invited to relax and enjoy Moroccan mint tea accompanied by dried fruit before leaving Arenas Spa & Beauty.
What Makes a Moroccan Hammam Different from a Body Scrub?
A Moroccan Hammam is a multi-stage ritual rather than simply an exfoliating product applied to the body. It combines warmth and steam, traditional Moroccan black soap, Kessa glove exfoliation, rinsing, a detox body mud mask and a final nourishing treatment.
At Arenas Spa & Beauty, the experience also includes the hospitality surrounding the treatment, from being looked after when you arrive to enjoying Moroccan mint tea and dried fruit afterwards.
How Will I Feel After a Moroccan Hammam?
One of the most immediately noticeable differences after a Hammam is how smooth and thoroughly exfoliated your skin feels. You may also feel deeply relaxed after spending time in the warm steam room, so you may prefer to keep the rest of your day relatively easy.
Continue drinking water after your treatment. Because your skin has undergone thorough physical exfoliation, it can temporarily feel more sensitive than usual. Avoid additional scrubbing and strong active skincare products on the treated areas for a day or two, and be mindful of sun exposure.
FAQs
Does a Moroccan Hammam hurt?
It shouldn’t. Kessa exfoliation is deliberately thorough and may feel firmer than an ordinary body scrub, but it should not be painful. If the pressure or sensation becomes uncomfortable, tell your therapist immediately so it can be adjusted.It shouldn’t. Kessa exfoliation is deliberately thorough and may feel firmer than an ordinary body scrub, but it should not be painful. If the pressure or sensation becomes uncomfortable, tell your therapist immediately so it can be adjusted.
What do I wear during a Moroccan Hammam?
We’ll provide you with a robe, towels, slippers and disposable underwear. Your privacy and comfort are important, and we’ll explain what you need to do before the treatment begins.
Is this suitable for my first Hammam?
Yes. You don’t need previous Hammam experience. Your therapist will explain the process and guide you through the different stages.
How long does a Moroccan Hammam take?
We offer a 60-minute body Hammam and a 90-minute Body, Head & Face Hammam. The 90-minute treatment includes the full body ritual plus a hair wash and nourishing hair mask, and facial care using Medik8 products for cleansing, exfoliation and a clay mask.
Will my skin be red afterwards?
Some temporary pinkness can occur after physical exfoliation, and your skin may feel more sensitive than usual afterwards. Treat freshly exfoliated skin gently and avoid additional exfoliation or strong skincare actives while it settles.
Can I have a Moroccan Hammam if I have sensitive skin?
Physical exfoliation isn’t appropriate for every skin type or condition. If you have particularly sensitive skin, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, active irritation, allergies or another skin condition, please tell the Arenas team before booking so we can discuss the treatment with you.
What should I do after my Moroccan Hammam?
Drink plenty of water and be gentle with freshly exfoliated skin. Avoid further scrubbing and strong active skincare products on the treated areas for a day or two, and take care with sun exposure.
Where can I book a Moroccan Hammam in Vauxhall, London SW8?
Arenas Spa & Beauty offers Moroccan Hammam treatments in Vauxhall, London SW8. Use our online booking system to see current treatment options, prices and availability.
Ready for Your Moroccan Hammam in Vauxhall?
Whether it’s your first Hammam or a ritual you already love, our team will guide you through the experience from beginning to end.
From the warmth of the steam room and traditional Moroccan black soap to Kessa exfoliation, our eucalyptus, clove and rose water detox body mud mask, nourishing body milk, and Moroccan mint tea with dried fruit afterwards, the Arenas Hammam is designed to be an experience you can relax into.