Rhassoul and mud treatments
Part of the Spabreaks.com Spa Treatment Guides
Mud baths, rhassouls/rasuls and mud treatments come in a number of different guises, and have been cleansing and healing practices for thousands of years. Introduced to different cultures around the world with their own variations. They are also referred to as rasul mud treatments or rhassouls, but generally while mud bath spa experiences vary, they do operate on similar principles.
What is a rasul?
Today we associate mud treatments with luxury spa experiences, and they can be a wonderful way to prepare for another therapy such as a massage, as well as being a spa treatment in their own right. Essentially, they are dedicated, private steam rooms, which you can use on your own or with someone else. While in there, you allow the heat to work its magic, and you also apply different mud products to cleanse and moisturise the skin. These are self-administered so there’s no therapist interaction, except for offering guidance about the ritual.
What happens in a rasul?
A rasul is a self-administered treatment, although if you’re experiencing it with a friend or partner, you can ask them to apply the mud to your neck and back, which can be a bonding part of the process.
You begin by entering the steam room and sit for a while to allow the pores to open.
- You are then given pots of different spa muds to apply to your face and body, or you can help your partner apply them as well.
- As part of the treatment, sometimes the spa will suggest applying a scrub to your skin first, but sometimes they recommend it after the mud.
- Some mud can also be applied to the hair, but you don’t have to get your hair muddy if you prefer not to.
- You then relax in the steam room with the mud on to let it work its magic.
- There may be different muds and multiple cleansing rounds.
- Then you will shower - sometimes ‘rain’ falls from the ceiling of the steam room, sometimes you move into a dedicated shower area.
- Usually you will then dry and be supplied with moisturisers or oils to hydrate the skin to finish.
Types of rasul
Rasuls themselves tend to be largely the same from one place to another and centre around a steam room. What can vary are the muds that are used and the additional features that individual spas offer to enhance the experience. For example, some will add seasonal scents to the muds or include particular moisturising oils and creams to use at the end.
What are the benefits?
Rasuls are an Arabic cleansing ritual in origin. The muds contain lots of minerals that feed the skin, and having opened the pores with the steam it is predisposed to absorbing the nutrients. So it’s particularly good for times of the year when the skin is dry. It’s perfect pre-holiday to prep skin for a lasting tan, or in the middle of winter when the heat is perfect for relaxing, it’s got a myriad of general health benefits as well. It’s great for the respiratory system because of the steam room component, good for relaxation, detox and also for rejuvenating the skin. Essentially, benefits included:
- Detoxing
- Softening and nourishing the skin
- Exfoliating
- Relaxation
- Cleansing
Where to experience a mud rasul?
- Macdonald hotels: Macdonald Hotels have a reputation for making beautiful spa experiences easy to enjoy. They are known for their accessible prices, gorgeous treatments and welcoming environments, and now three of them have added a rasul mud treatment into their packages for that extra touch of spa magic. Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel, Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf and Spa and Macdonald Inchyra Hotel and Spa are the three within the group that all have rasul mud chambers.
- Taking the idea of a steam room to a whole new level. Celtic Manor, the spectacular hotel, spa and golf resort in Wales, has a spa with an Elemis herbal steam chamber. Here, small lights mimic the constellations where you can have rasul-style treatments.
- Bryn Meadows Golf Hotel and Spa in Wales are also geniuses at offering strawberries and cream muds in the summer, or chocolate orange scrubs in the winter. Bryn Meadows is a longstanding favourite of spa goers for its relaxed atmosphere and attention to detail.
Choose this if you want to...
Generally experienced as self-administered therapies, mud baths and mud rasuls are perfect for people who want to try spa therapies but are not keen on being touched by a therapist. However, they’re also perfect for sharing with friends as well as partners (depending on the size of the steam chamber). As a result, they are great for group spa breaks and hen parties, as well as making ideal couple’s spa treatment for time together and feel-good factor.
Average price of a rasul
As with all treatments, the cost of a rasul will vary depending on where you have it, the products that are used and the specific variations that the spa places on the treatment. As an average, you can expect to pay anything from £60 to £150 for a rasul in the UK, but some places will charge less and in some it will be more.
Rasul aftercare
Afterwards, always stay hydrated. It is essentially a steam room so you will lose water. We advise using facilities like the pool beforehand rather than afterwards so that you can leave the oils on the skin for as long as possible. A massage afterwards would be perfect as well once muscles are nice and warm.
What should I wear to a rasul?
In the UK it’s recommended/expected that you wear swimwear during a hammam ritual.
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