What to Wear in a Steam Room: Simple Rules for Dubai Spas

When you step into a steam room, a heated, humid space designed for relaxation and detoxification, often found in spas and wellness centers. Also known as a steam bath, it’s one of the most calming parts of any spa experience in Dubai. But if you’ve never been in one before, the first question isn’t about how long to stay—it’s what to wear in a steam room. The answer isn’t complicated, but in Dubai, where culture and comfort meet, it’s worth getting right.

Most people assume you need to wear something, but the truth is simple: you don’t need clothes at all. In fact, going bare is the norm in most professional spas. You’ll be given a towel to wrap around yourself when you enter, and that’s it. No swimsuits, no underwear, no leggings. Why? Because fabric traps heat and sweat, making the experience less effective and more uncomfortable. Plus, in a place like Dubai, where spas are designed for pure relaxation, modesty is handled with towels, privacy, and gender-segregated spaces. You’re not expected to be naked in front of strangers—you’re expected to be relaxed, alone, or with someone you came with, covered only when you move.

Some people still feel uneasy, and that’s okay. If you’re visiting from a culture where nudity feels awkward, you can wear a lightweight, loose-fitting cotton towel wrap—just make sure it’s not synthetic. Polyester or nylon will hold sweat, get heavy, and make you hotter. Stick to natural fibers. And if you’re worried about hygiene, remember: every reputable spa in Dubai cleans steam rooms after every use. They don’t leave towels lying around. They don’t let people walk in with street clothes. The space is treated like a sacred zone for reset, not a locker room.

What you wear also depends on where you’re going. In a traditional Moroccan bath, a steam-and-scrub ritual rooted in North African wellness traditions, commonly offered in Dubai spas, you’ll be given a kessa glove and a soap called beldi. You’ll wear nothing but a towel, and the therapist will guide you through the process with full professionalism. In a luxury spa like Caro Beauty, you’ll be offered a robe and slippers for the walk between rooms, but once you’re inside the steam room, you’ll leave them behind. The heat works better on bare skin.

There’s one big exception: if you’re menstruating, pregnant, or have open wounds, you might want to wear a light cotton underwear or a disposable liner. Most spas will provide these if you ask. Don’t feel embarrassed—this is normal. The staff sees it every day. What they care about is your comfort and safety, not your choices.

And here’s what you definitely shouldn’t wear: jewelry. Rings, necklaces, bracelets—they get hot. They can burn you. They can also leave marks on the stone benches. Same with makeup. It melts. It clogs pores. You’re there to sweat out toxins, not to lock them in with foundation.

People often ask if they need to cover up for modesty. In Dubai, the answer is yes—but not in the way you think. Modesty here isn’t about hiding your body. It’s about respecting the space. That means no loud talking, no phone use, no staring. It means letting the steam do its work without distractions. The towels are your privacy shield. The dim lights are your comfort zone. The silence is your permission to relax.

What you wear in a steam room isn’t about fashion. It’s about function. It’s about letting your skin breathe, your muscles loosen, and your mind quiet. In a city that never sleeps, the steam room is one of the few places where you can truly be still. And all you need to bring is yourself—and maybe a towel.

Below, you’ll find real advice from people who’ve been there—from first-timers nervous about what to wear, to locals who’ve spent years mastering the rhythm of steam, scrub, and silence. Whether you’re new to Dubai or just new to spas, you’ll find clear, no-nonsense answers that match what actually happens in the rooms—not what you read online.