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I was walking the streets of Faith Istanbul looking at all the different sights. The only thing I wanted to do on this trip was to take in a Turkish bath. The process is a cleansing and relaxing treatment that involves a period spent between sauna, scrubbing, bubbles and massage. Turkish baths have been used for weight loss, cleansing and relaxation purposes. Turkish baths are one of the oldest cleansing traditions in the world.
I was asked to get completely naked and wrap myself in a towel and to put the slippers on. I was then taken to a sauna where I remained for 15 minutes. It felt amazing since it was a cold day outside. I was then taken to a room and old to lay down on this marble slab bed. The towel was taken from me and yes I was there totally naked. The lady that was in charge of my treatment was very kind and let me know that she would start scrubbing me and every part of my body would be scrubbed. After you the awkwardness had passed of being totally naked, she scrubbed you with a sugar scrub. The scrub is to remove any dead skin cells. They really scrub you, but it was not pain full and felt very nice. Once this step is done then the attendant will rinse you with warm water and have you flip over and scrub the other side doing the same process. The scrubbing time is 15 minutes total.
Once you have been completely rinsed the attendant will move on to the kopuk the dreamy bubble wash and massage. The attendant will use a special clothe lathered in soap she will blow and squeeze a mountain of puffy bubbles all over your body. Yes, you are still naked. So, it is like having a bubble bath without water. But the bubbles have some oil in them, and the attendant will massage this into your skin. Then you will be asked to turn over and the process will be repeated on the opposite side. Once this is completed you will be told stand up (still naked) and told to sit by the spout where you will be rinsed completely off.
The process of scrubbing your head and hair will begin. The attendant will get your hair wet and will scrub your whole with the bubble mix and give you a head massage which felt great. At first I was very hesitant to do the head part but if you are going to take in the experience you should take in the whole experience. I was rinsed once again in nice hot water. I was given a towel to wrap myself in and taken to the massage room. I was told to lay down on the table without the towel. In most insistence when you get a massage you are given a sheet, but in this case, this was not the case. Once she started, I knew this was not going to be like any other massage I have gotten before. She started out by pulling your arms up behind you to stretch you out. Then proceeded to do the same with your legs. I am pretty limber, but I even felt this. The attendant went on to stretch your feet and hands out. I felt like I was at the chiropractor at times. Then the massage began much like a Thai massage with use of the elbows being pushed deep into your muscles. At first it might hurt but once you relax it will feel good. Of course, everyone’s experience will be different on this. The massage will cover your whole body. The day after I was sore, but I felt better. My neck and back did not hurt after. Once the massage is completed the mask for your face was applied. I was so happy about this. After having to wear a mask all the time makes my skin breakout. This helped calmed my skin and my face felt amazing afterwards.
The whole experience as a whole was amazing as soon as I got over the awkwardness and the attendant telling me I had great skin so many times I would do it again.
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