Sometimes, our skin can look dull and feel rough to the touch, which may also lead to congestion in the skin and acne in the long run. This can usually be because of the accumulation of dead skin cells. This is where scrubbing comes in. It is an effective way to amplify the cell turnover to reveal softer and more radiant skin via exfoliation.
So if you are wondering what a scrub is, it is any physical exfoliant that includes particles that are abrasive enough to remove the dead skin. Sugar is a common physical exfoliant used as a scrub for its abrasive granules.
However, a common scrub used in a Turkish Hammam includes a bath glove to achieve skin exfoliation. Keep reading to find out all about the process and benefits of scrubbing.
Scrubbing carries immense benefits for the skin, which include the following:
For starters, scrubbing allows one to carry out a deep clean of their skin, getting rid of buildup and impurities to leave the skin feeling light and cleansed.
A Turkish bath scrub, in particular, contributes to better blood flow through massaging, which allows for a better supply of oxygen and nutrients to the skin, which results in improving the look and feel of the skin.
A lack of exfoliation can lead to clogged pores, making them look more visible. But scrubbing can help fix that by exfoliating the skin, eliminating excess oil buildup, and minimizing the pores.
Not to mention, scrubbing can feel incredibly therapeutic and enables the body to relax and unwind. As a result, scrubbing is one of the best ways to have some me-time and indulge in self-care.
Exfoliating the skin via scrubbing allows skin care products to be absorbed better for enhanced results.
While scrubbing has great effects on the skin, it can also damage the skin barrier and cause sensitivity if overdone. If you are thinking about how often to apply a scrub, twice or thrice a week is sufficient to cleanse the skin and avoid any clogged pores.
However, with a bath glove and foam massage, Turkish hammams may offer scrubbing once or twice a week, depending on the skin type.
Granular scrubs, such as sugar or salt scrubs that are typically used on the body, can be too abrasive for the face and cause micro-tears, which can lead to skin damage in the long run.
For safe exfoliation of the face, scrubs formulated to be used specifically on the face are the best choice as they are much gentler. When scrubbing the face, wet the skin thoroughly and use the fingertips to spread the scrub over the skin, avoiding the eyelids, under-eyes, and any other delicate areas on the face. Now scrub in a light circular motion. Finally, thoroughly wash the face and follow up by applying a moisturizer to soothe and hydrate the skin to combat dryness.
So, if you are wondering how to use a scrub, we give you all the details in this section.
When scrubbing the body, being gentle and taking it slow is ideal. Start by thoroughly wetting the skin with slightly warm water to open the pores and begin applying the scrub. Next, use small circular motions to massage the skin and allow the scrub to exfoliate the skin’s surface to remove the dead skin cells.
If you are curious about how to scrub your legs, here’s how: Start by washing your legs to make sure the skin is cleared of all dirt. Then, with a light hand, use your palm to distribute the scrub on the skin and move in circular motions to exfoliate the legs. Proper exfoliation can be great in preventing ingrown hairs. Make sure not to be too harsh on your skin to avoid irritation. Once done, wash the scrub off and moisturize with a hydrating body cream as usual.
In Turkish Hammams, scrubbing is typically done by a bath glove that is fully soaked and specifically designed to exfoliate the body. The scrubbing process involves gently rubbing this glove all over the body to remove all the dirt from the skin, leaving it feeling fully clean and revitalized.
Foam massaging is another technique where a sack filled with a soapy mixture made with natural soaps is used for a bubbly massage to exfoliate the body. The bubbles in the sack are obtained by using hot water. This type of massage is typically done after a hammam session to cleanse the body’s skin of all sweat and toxins, leaving the skin smelling and feeling fresh.
All in all, scrubbing is an excellent way to rid the body of dirt and impurities from the skin, leaving it feeling nourished and much softer than before.
