Venues offering Foam Massage

Foam massage is the part of the hammam ritual that follows the kese (exfoliating scrub), in which the whole body is washed with plenty of soap foam and rubbed with gentle strokes. Although its name includes ‘massage’, it is not a muscle massage: the pressure is low, and the aim is cleansing and relaxation rather than deep-tissue work. On hammam menus it also appears as foamy massage or soap foam massage.

How the foam is made and how the treatment proceeds

The attendant dips a thin cotton bag into soapy water, fills it with air, closes the opening and squeezes it; the air passing through the fabric produces a dense, light foam. This foam is poured over the body until it is covered, and a massage is given over it with gliding, gentle strokes of the palms. The warmth and slipperiness of the foam keep the movements flowing.

The treatment usually starts with you lying face down on the navel stone; after the back, shoulders, arms and legs have been worked, you turn onto your back. The foam is topped up as needed throughout. Then your hair is washed and you are rinsed at the basin. As the floor gets slippery with foam, follow the attendant's directions at this point and take your time when standing up.

Duration and its place in the hammam

Foam massage takes 15-30 minutes and is usually taken not on its own but as part of the Turkish bath ritual. The usual order is warming up, kese, foam wash, hair wash and rest. You can read in detail why kese and foam wash are done in this order in the guide explaining the difference between foam massage and kese.

What it does and does not do

Foam massage uses soap to clear away the dead skin and dirt left on the skin after the kese, and leaves the skin feeling soft. The warm foam and rhythmic strokes can help you relax. It is not meant to release muscle tension; for pain or knots, an oil massage is more suitable. Since the hot environment, the soap and the kese before it together reduce the skin's natural oils, using a moisturiser after the session is a good habit.

Who it suits

For anyone who wants the full hammam experience, the foam massage is an essential part of the ritual. Because the pressure is low, it also suits people who are wary of deep massage, those having a massage for the first time, and children; for children, what matters is not the pressure but the hot environment of the hammam. Those who do not want a kese can have the foam massage on its own at some venues.

Foam massage in a historic hammam and in a hotel spa

Foam massage is offered both in historic hammams and in the hammams inside spas. Venues on the site that offer foam massage include historic hammams serving women only, hot spring hammams that use thermal water, and hotel spas. In historic hammams the treatment is usually done on the navel stone in the shared hot room, in the same space as other guests. In hotel spas it is usually offered in a smaller hammam room, in sessions reserved for a single guest or for couples. If privacy matters to you, ask whether there is a private hammam option.

Things to keep in mind

Tell the attendant if you are allergic to the soap used; olive oil soap is common, but it varies from venue to venue. It is not given if you have active eczema, psoriasis, open wounds or sunburn. The warnings about the hammam's hot environment apply here too: consult your doctor if you have cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled blood pressure or diabetes, or if you are pregnant. Keep your eyes closed when the foam reaches your face and hair; soap can irritate the eyes.

How it differs from kese, Sultan massage and oil massage

Because of the word ‘massage’ in its name, foam massage gets confused both with the other parts of the hammam and with oil massages:

What affects the price, and questions to ask before your appointment

Foam massage is mostly priced together with the kese as ‘kese and foam wash’. The price depends on whether hammam entry is included, the type of venue (historic hammam, hotel spa or thermal resort), the soap and products used, whether a massage or mask is added, use of a private hammam and weekend demand. For a general overview, see the guide to what determines massage and spa prices. When making an appointment, ask:

• Whether the foam wash is priced together with the kese or separately
• The type and scent of the soap used
• Whether a female or male attendant will do the treatment
• Whether a hair wash is included and whether shampoo is provided