By Navitas Spa & SportsPublished: 25 August 20261 min read
At a glance
Kese is the exfoliation stage of the Turkish bath: after ten minutes of warmth on the marble, an attendant works a coarse-woven mitt — also called a kese — over the whole body in firm strokes, lifting away dead skin in visible rolls. It takes about ten minutes within a full ritual, or twenty minutes as the standalone Scrub & Peeling at Navitas Spa.
The mitt
Traditionally woven from coarse silk or goat hair, today usually from a rough plant or synthetic fibre; a fresh one is used for every guest. Its texture is the whole point — fine enough not to scratch, rough enough to lift the outermost layer of dead cells that soap and a sponge leave behind.
Why warmth first
Dead skin bonds tightly when it is dry and cool. Ten minutes on the heated marble with warm water poured over you loosens that bond, which is why the kese in a hammam removes what a shower scrub at home cannot — and why we never scrub cold skin.
How it feels, and the result
Vigorous. Firm strokes along the limbs, back and torso, with the attendant checking the pressure. The grey rolls that appear are dead skin and the residue of days of travel; the skin underneath is smooth, warm and slightly pink from the circulation. The softness lasts for days.
Who should skip it
- Sunburnt or freshly shaved skin
- Open cuts, eczema flare-ups, very sensitive skin
- Immediately after laser or peel treatments
- If you would rather not — the foam massage alone is a fine ritual
Frequently asked questions
How often can I have a kese?
Once every two to four weeks is plenty for most skin; members often make it a monthly habit.
Should I moisturise afterwards?
Lightly, once the skin has cooled — or add a 15-minute clay or gold mask.