Turkish bath, also known as hamam, is a traditional form of bathing and cleansing that originated in the Ottoman Empire and spread to many parts of the world. It is a ritual that involves several stages of washing, scrubbing, massaging and relaxing in a steamy environment. One of the benefits of Turkish bath is that it helps to improve the skin condition by removing dead cells, dirt and toxins.
The first step of Turkish bath is to enter the hot room, where the temperature is around 40-50 degrees Celsius and the humidity is high. Here, the body sweats and opens up the pores, preparing it for the next step. The hot room also has a large marble slab called göbek taşı, where people can lie down and relax.
The second step is to get a kese, which is a rough cloth glove that is used to scrub the body. The kese removes the dead skin cells and stimulates blood circulation, making the skin smoother and softer. The kese can be done by oneself or by an attendant called natır or tellak, who can also massage the body with soap and water.
The third step is to rinse off the soap and kese residue with cold water, which closes the pores and refreshes the body. The cold water also helps to balance the body temperature and prevent overheating. Some people also prefer to dip into a cold pool or a jacuzzi after rinsing.
The fourth step is to wrap oneself in a large towel called peştemal and move to the warm room, where the temperature is lower than the hot room but still comfortable. Here, one can rest, drink tea or water, chat with friends or enjoy other services such as facial masks, hair treatments or manicures.
The final step is to dress up and leave the hamam feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and cleansed. The skin care done in Turkish bath can improve the skin texture, tone and elasticity, as well as prevent acne, dryness and aging signs. It can also boost the immune system, relieve stress and relax the muscles.
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