Guest post by Greg Cartwright of Downtime Massage & Skincare
In Morocco, the Moroccan Hammam, a traditional spa experience practiced by the locals, has avoided the commercialism of tourism. Bathing is considered a modest ritual in Morocco, and in rooms with over one hundred Arab men, swimsuits or underwear are required. Meanwhile, men work on these men, bathing, scrubbing and exfoliating them, while exercising chiropractic-like massage with adjustments.
In keeping with this tradition, we, at Downtime Massage & Skincare, begin with a dry brush in our own “Moroccan Hammam” treatment. We use a coarse loofah made of goat hair and a special black soap only found in Africa. This black soap, which comes from West Africa near Egypt, has the ability to dry out and even prevent acne by accelerating the skin’s healing process and sloughing off dead skin cells.
The wet scrub that follows is invigorating with a mix of mint or lemongrass, to stimulate the senses. The wet scrub mixed with the hot steam and rush of the shower aide in the aromatic component as you are scrubbed from head to toe. Traditionally following the scrub, a clay or mud directly from the earth is then coated onto your entire body and in the midst of the high temperatures of the Hammam, you are left to relax.
At Downtime Massage & Skincare, we use our own imported Hungarian Apothecary Mud. It is preheated and coats the body and envelopes the client in sort of an “electric blanket” of mud. Our mud is antifungal, great for psoriasis or any chronic skin condition. All mud therapies have a calming affect on the central nervous system, and when the mud is heated, it has a thermal ability to help flush the skin of toxins.
While the body is enveloped in this Moor mud, the scalp is permeated with essential oils, including argan oil, to aide in healthier skin. Argan oil, produced from the kernels of the endemic argan tree, is valued for its nutritive, cosmetic and numerous medicinal properties.
After the mud is removed, a massage with the Argan oil follows. This oil has anti-aging and anti-inflammatory abilities. It is a difficult oil to process and cultivate at $50 an ounce. This precious oil has 80% unsaturated fatty acids--a natural anti-oxidant for the skin. Rich in Vitamin E and capable of preventing the loss of moisture, Argan is an exceptional aide healing and to the reduction of pain and swelling, whether from sports injury or arthritis. Argan also contains squalane, which has been proven to reduce the risk of skin cancer.
Our 60 minute Moroccan Hammam Treatment provides an organic and natural caretaking experience to help you decompress in Manhattan. Let us help you get the sensation of the Hammam from our “locals” without the added stress of travel. For more details, please visit www.downtimemassage.com
Photo Credit: Kris Pito
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Comments (1)
I've never used African black soap. I heard it uses a lot of natural ingredients and rich with mineral. I have tried bamboo charcoal soap and shampoo. they are all black (completely black). They are really good too.
Posted by Donna | October 25, 2008 4:43 PM
Posted on October 25, 2008 16:43