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The merciless scrub that gives you glow: Moroccan hammam in Jakarta
A traditional bathing and cleansing ritual in Morocco, the hammam features olive oil-based black soap, kessa exfoliating glove and argan oil, and it is now available in Jakarta.
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Classic hammam at a spa center. (Shutterstock/Netfalls Remy Musser)
R
amadan may be one of the busiest months of the year, with all the social gatherings that come with breaking the fast. The busy days continue into the following month, when daily life is adjusting to its normal schedule.
Before the busy weeks take their toll on our well-being, we may as well take some time to relax with a refreshing spa treatment. While we in Indonesia are very familiar with traditional health and beauty treatments such as massage, cream bath for hair and “lulur” body scrub among other things, Jakarta is now slowly being introduced to the Moroccan hammam.
A traditional bathing and cleansing ritual in the north African country, a hammam features olive oil-based black soap, kessa exfoliating glove (originally made of goat hair but now many are made of viscose crepe) and argan oil.
The whole Moroccan hammam experience, usually taking up to 90 minutes, is expected to leave the skin smooth, clean and the muscles relaxed. The Jakarta Post visited two Moroccan hammams in the capital, and below is the story.
Arabella Spa, Hammam and Coffee
Nestled in a shop house in the Radio Dalam area, South Jakarta, the hammam can be found on the second floor, just above a coffee shop. Treatment for the Post began with soaking in a warm bath sprinkled with sea salt to relax the muscles and open the pores. During the bath, the therapist gives a facial massage and cream bath to stimulate blood flow in the head and face.
Next step of the treatment is body massage on a marble bed, using the olive oil-based black soap called “beldi”. The pressure and scrubbing on the body, alternated with the pouring of warm water is relaxing and refreshing at the same time.
