What Is Kese?
The kese is the scrub that sets a hamam apart from a sauna. What it is, when it happens and what to expect from it.
Quick answer
Kese is the traditional hamam scrub. After the sauna and steam room, an attendant runs a rough mitt — also called a kese — over your skin to exfoliate it. It is brisk and firm; ask for a lighter touch whenever you like. On our Alanya programme the kese is included.
The mitt itself
The kese is a hand-sized mitt woven from rough cloth. The attendant pulls it on and works in long, steady strokes. It is the rough weave that does the scrubbing, not soap — soap only arrives with the foam, afterwards.
Where it fits in
Heat usually comes first: sauna, then steam room, then a spell lying on the warm marble. Only then does the scrub start — back, arms, legs and everything else your swimwear leaves uncovered.
The kese hands over to the foam wash, and the programme finishes with the aromatic oil massage.
How it feels
The scrub is firm, worked in long strokes. Whenever a stroke feels too strong, tell the attendant and ask for a lighter touch.
What to mention first
Tell the attendant about any skin or medical condition before the scrub starts.
With a medical condition, talk to your doctor before your hamam day and tell the staff at the hamam before you begin.