As we said in a recent article on our blog, black or beldi soap is practically inseparable from the kessa glove. Both are fundamental in any hygiene and relaxation ritual in a Moroccan hammam. So if you plan to enjoy this experience during your trip, here we explain some things that will be very useful to know about this basic accessory.
What is the kessa glove
The kessa glove of the hammam is actually a mitten, since its user inserts the hand into it but does not have specific areas for each finger. Its texture is not especially soft, as the fabric is dense and grainy. The materials in which it is made vary today, with some made of synthetic fibers but also of vegetable fibers, such as ramie, which is a sustainable derivative of linen.
All this is so to favor the main objective of any kessa glove: to achieve a correct exfoliation of the skin. It is not a glove to caress or massage, but to remove dead cells in order to properly regenerate this organ, so important for the well-being of any person.
How it is used in the hammam
The use of the kessa glove is associated with a very specific moment of the bathing ritual in a hammam: when, already advanced the route, the pores have opened and the skin has softened slightly. This usually occurs 5 or 10 minutes after the body is immersed in an environment of high humidity (90%) and heat (42ºC).
At that moment, you can perform a simple cleaning with neutral soap to remove any impurities and, immediately afterwards, begin with the exfoliation with the glove. Together with the aforementioned beldi soap (which, in reality, is not exactly a soap but rather a cream), ascending movements are made to remove dead cells deposited on the most superficial layer of the skin.
These are passes that do not have to hurt but must be firm enough to fulfill their objective: a middle ground between massage and caress, as it should be forceful but not aggressive. Therefore, the usual thing in hammams is that another person is in charge of performing this exfoliation, especially in areas of the body difficult to reach by oneself, such as the back.
To complete this exfoliation, a subsequent rinse with warm water is usually performed and a special cream can be applied as a sealant. It is what is known as ‘ contrast ritual’, which also has the ability to reactivate blood circulation and rehydrate the exfoliated skin.
And as for the frequency of this exfoliation, everything will depend on the type of skin: in normal skin, once a week may be enough, but for dry or sensitive skin, it is preferable to space it to 15 days, while oily skin can undergo it twice a week.
Tips for its conservation
If, in addition to enjoying a bath in a hammam, you choose to buy a kessa glove during your trip as a souvenir, it will be useful to know some basic tips for the conservation of this garment. First, it is convenient wash it after each use with neutral soap (for example, with a Marseille type), rinse it well and let it dry completely, especially in the case of gloves made of natural vegetable fibers. In addition, it is advisable to change kessa gloves every 2 or 3 months, because after that time it is considered that the glove no longer has the appropriate texture to fulfill its function.
