Spa Day: Comparing a Korean Jjimjilbang to a Moroccan Hammam
As a beauty traveler, I make it my first priority to seek out spa treatments while traveling (because spas post-overnight flight is divine). I’ve had a Brazilian manicure in Rio, enjoyed the hot springs in Baños, Ecuador, Lomi Lomi massage in Maui, Thai massage in Thailand, the eponymous SK-II spa in Seoul, and of course, lots and lots of nail art in Tokyo (natch). Recently I experienced both the Korean bath house and the Moroccan Hammam, and how different spa treatments can be around the world was astonishing. I'll compare and break down the major differences between these decades-old rituals at Korean and Moroccan spas for you. No plans to head overseas any time soon? A simple google search will help you find one - and it may be closer than you think!
Both treatments were with my beauty traveling BFF and expert in all things beauty, Stephanie Flor of Around the World Beauty. She also offers beauty trips (next up: Morocco and Japan)! First we experienced the Korean bath house, Juvenex in Koreatown in New York City. For the second, we traveled to Morocco to test the Moroccan Hammam at our hotel, the Oriental Spa at Es Saadi Hotel (not to be confused with the Palace).
Let’s dive in (see what I did there?)…
HOURS
Korean: Juvenex is open 24 hours, which is the norm for Korean spas. In a city that is constantly in a rush, you are gifted the best gift of all: time. Spa-goers are welcome to stay for hours, sometimes making it an all-day affair.
Moroccan: In my experience, we experienced a more traditional appointment system, but at other Hammams you can likely stay longer.
The Winner: Korean. All hail the 24 hour business.
Modesty
Korean: At Juvenex, we wore bathing suits in the common areas, but went fully nude for the scrub portion. Some women did choose to go nude in the pool as well, but it's not required. In Korea though, full nudity is most likely required (and the reason I hid out like a toddler in the locker room the first time Stephanie and I went to one back in 2015!).
Moroccan: Unlike the Korean spas, you don't have to be fully nude for these treatments. While some women chose to be sans-clothes, we wore the disposable panties the spa offered.
The winner: This one’s a tie! I didn't feel awkward being nude for my treatments, but I know not everyone shares that sentiment.
Above: The Korean bathhouse in NYC’s Koreatown
Bath Soak Time
Korean: The first part of our body scrub treatment was a long soak in a warm/hot pool with several other women, all waiting for their treatments. The soak works to open your pores and prep your skin so it's easier to exfoliate - soak for at least 30 min (until you’re pruney!) and your skin will come off nicely. Our soak time lasted close to an hour and there were dozens of lemons in the water to help with age spots and to detoxify. SPAaaaaah…
Moroccan: There was no soaking in a bath before my Moroccan scrub. Instead, I began the treatment by laying flat on a warm terra cotta-like slab to relax.The temp in our little hut was perfect and to be honest, I could have stayed in there for an hour!
The winner: Korean
Gentleness
Korean: After the soak, I was taken into a room with Mimi, my middle-aged Korean ddemiri (aka scrub mistress) for a 40-minute exfoliation treatment during which I was fully nude. At Juvenex, the rooms are for 2 or 4 people - no solo rooms. The scrub was intense! I had a TINY blister on my heel and it hurt when Mimi unknowingly rubbed it with her sandpapery exfoliating mitts. Also- don’t shave!
Moroccan: The spa technician used a Kessa mitt, similar to those gloves used by Korean spas. It's made with a rough rayon fabric that comes in different “grits” (like a nail file does!). The scrubbing portion of the treatment only lasted five minutes, so it was much less intense.
The winner: Moroccan
Above: The Moroccan Hammam in Marrakech
Efficacy
Korean: The length of time we spent soaking before our 40-minute scrub made the whole process feel uber-effective. Little balls of dead skin rolled off me like grey worms - it was SO satisfying. I left fully relaxed with baby soft skin, and there was something about an intense scrub that left me feeling like I had gotten my money's worth.
Moroccan: After our short steam sesh, the technician came in to massage black African soap all over us. It was a quick rub, and then we were left to “relax” (aka; take pictures before they came back). The scrubbing portion of the Moroccan treatment was just five minutes - better for someone with very sensitive skin.
The winner: Korean. I think it came down to the overall length of the treatment and how that initial hour-long soak prepped my skin.
The Best Technician
Korean: The good news is my therapist was funny and warm and it was not awkward at all. We giggled about the insanity of a nude body scrub (or rather, she giggled cutely at me), and by the end I probably even gave her a hug! She definitely alleviated any anxiety I had.
Moroccan: I didn't want to hug my technician afterward - the scrub was quick and impersonal but suitable for someone who wants to get in and out.
The winner: Korean
Most relaxing
Korean: Because you spend an entire hour soaking before your scrub, you're fully relaxed by the time you meet your spa technician. I was completely comfortable with my technician, who made light of the situation (hence the giggles above). The scrub treatment lasted a full 40 minutes, followed by time in the jade sauna and salt rooms.
Moroccan: While the Moroccan treatment had several steps, including rest periods on various stones including the terra cotta and marble slabs, I found the technician to be less friendly and more down to business. The treatment lasted about an hour start to finish, and there was no pre soak! We did relax in a suite with tea and a beautiful little terrace off it though.
The winner: Korean. With more than two hours to relax, the Korean treatment wins hands down over the quick Moroccan scrub, which is probably better during a long flight layover or for a quick pick-me-up.
Best Scent
Korean: There were tons of lemons in the bath water for the first communal soak, but the exfoliation process was unscented.
Moroccan: They used a yummy orange-blossom scented body wash as a final step, which was the perfect night cap for this spa treatment.
The winner: Moroccan
The winner: Korean jjimjilbang
While we thoroughly enjoyed both treatments, the overall winner was the Korean body scrub. The spa technician put me at ease, the treatment lasted more than two hours and I left feeling fully relaxed with smooth skin. I highly recommend getting one yourself!
Could you ever go to a public bathhouse? Share your experience below, or which of the Korean or Moroccan treatment’s you’d prefer!