How the Turkish Hammam Deep-Cleans Your Pores

Steam and Sweat: How Hammam Opens Up Your Pores

Turkish hammams play a multipurpose role in society. They are not only places for community-building and socializing, but hammam sessions are also a proven remedy to treat clogged pores and dull skin. Hammam skin care incorporates steam and sweat as natural ways to deep clean pores. 

• As the body sweats, excess oil, dirt, and debris are physically pushed out of the pores.
• Hot steam stimulates circulation and ensures the transportation of more oxygen and nutrients to skin cells.
• Steam sessions soften the top layer of skin, loosening the dead skin cells, thus ensuring their removal.
• Once the surface layer is clean and softened, the skin becomes more receptive to skincare products, improving their absorption and effectiveness.
• Steam also gives a short-term boost to the skin’s moisture levels. 

As effective pore cleansing methods go, Turkish hammams are a beneficial and holistic approach to healthier and deeply cleansed skin.

Deep Exfoliation: The Kese Glove’s Role in Unclogging Pores

“Kese” is a deep exfoliation technique specific to Turkish bathhouses. It has been around since Ottoman times. Modern-day Turkish bath houses like the Hurrem Sultan Hammam have kept this incredible technique alive to provide maximum benefits to their clients. A “Kese” scrub requires the use of a traditional Kese mitt. It is made of a coarse material to effectively remove dead skin cells.

The skin is exposed to steam for an amount of time before a Kese scrub session. The steam opens pores and softens the skin. An expert massage therapist gently scrubs the skin with a Kese mitt to physically exfoliate the dead skin cells. This technique is potent exfoliation for pores and leaves skin smooth and vibrant. The relaxing strokes of the massage therapist boost circulation, turning the skin into a perfect base for the skincare to come.

Why Open Pores Love Natural Hammam Ingredients

A hammam session for clogged pores is exactly what the skin needs to prepare it for any kind of skincare ingredients. This is because open and clean pores are more receptive to natural hammam skincare. A natural pore detox at a traditional Turkish bathhouse is performed by using holistic skincare such as:

• Olive oil soap – Natural emollient, non-comedogenic
• Clay masks – Rich in minerals, Natural detoxification
• Rose water – Calming, Anti-inflammatory properties
• Argan oil – Natural emollient

From Clogged to Clear: Pore Transformation After a Hammam

A hammam session for clogged pores should be on everyone's “to-do list” during their Turkish vacation. A pore transformation after a Turkish hammam session is something you have to experience to truly believe. Traditional Turkish bathhouses incorporate steam and exfoliation for large and clogged pores. The journey from clogged to clear pores at a Turkish bathhouse has several steps. At the Hurrem Sultan Hammam, natural pore detox is done through:

• Göbektaşı – A heated marble platform or slab in the steam room that assists in opening the pores
• Kese Scrub Massage – Using a traditional Kese mitt to gently scrub away the impurities and dead cells from the skin surface
• Soap/Foam Massage – Using the lather from moisturizing and fragrant soap to massage away the knots and fatigue in the muscles
• Traditional Clay Mask – To suck out the excess oil and toxins from the pores
• Optional Treatments – Versatile facemasks, foot massage sessions, Essential oil massages, etc.
• Cooling Period – Traditional Turkish Hammam treatments are followed by a cooling period to relax the body and close the pores.

The relaxing session concludes with guests enjoying delicious refreshments and treats, which is the perfect ending to a rejuvenating pore-cleansing experience.

How Often Should You Visit the Hammam for Pore Health?

There is no doubt that an authentic Turkish hammam session is a godsend to achieve clean and healthy pores. However, this raises the question of how often one should visit a Turkish hammam for effective pore cleansing. The frequency of a hammam visit depends on the type of skin and its needs. For example, oily or combination skin tends to have larger pores that clog easily. This type of skin requires a session every two weeks. The duration may be increased to every 3 - 4 weeks for dry or sensitive skin to maintain optimum pore health.

Can a Hammam Replace Your Skincare Routine for Pore Care?

No, a hammam pore cleansing session is not a replacement for routine skincare. However, it doesn’t have to be one or the other. Both treatments go hand in hand. Where regular skin care ensures that the daily needs of the skin are met, hammam pore cleansing provides the occasional deep clean that is essential to maintain the skin barrier and moisture levels. 

If you think that your skin is getting dull and textured despite the expensive skincare products, book a session at the Hurrem Sultan Hammam in Istanbul to revitalize and rejuvenate your skin using centuries-old techniques and ingredients!