Paraffin wax treatment or wax therapy or paraffin bath, all the names refer to paraffin therapy. If you can remember we previously discussed about the best paraffin baths but we never got the chance to discuss about paraffin wax treatments. In this article we’re going to expound about them.
Contents
What is Paraffin Therapy?
Paraffin therapy is a type of deep heat therapy where paraffin wax is used. The treatment can either be used for the hands or feet and is a good way of moisturizing and even dealing with pain conditions like arthritis.
During a therapy session, a paraffin bath is used to heat the paraffin wax. Then you’ll be required to deep your hands or feet a couple of times after which layers of hardening wax will be formed. The casings will trap the heat inside and at the same time they will open your pores. Afterwards, the cool wax will then be removed (this is a very easy process).
How it Works
The mechanism behind paraffin wax therapy is thermotherapy (which is basically heat therapy). When heat is applied to the human body, there will be increase of blood flow in the heated area and in turn muscles will relax and there will be less stiffness in joints.
If you’ve previously had the chance of having a bath in a hot spring or just a regular warm hot tub, then you’re aware of the benefits that come with using heat therapy. By adding the healing benefits you get from mineral oil and paraffin wax, you’ll be getting an affordable and effective treatment for your body.
Benefits of Paraffin Wax Therapy
It being a simple an easy treatment, paraffin wax therapy has many benefits. From simply just moisturizing chapped and dry hands to more serious matters like soothing pain that comes from diseases of joints, muscles and nerves.
The following are some of the benefits that you get from using paraffin wax treatment:
- Moisturizes the skin making it feel silky smooth
- Helps to treat pain from diseases like arthritis
- Helps in soothing chronic joint pains
- A good way of managing pain from fibromyalgia
- The scents omitted by the mineral or essential oil acts as aromatherapy
- Can help with skin disorders such as psoriasis and eczema
- Increases the motion range for people dealing with stiffness and pain problems
- Minimizes muscle spasms
- Brings down inflammation
- Softens and soothes callouses
- Reduces fluid retention (edema)
- Flushes out toxins
- Good for treating sprains
- Heals cracked and dry skin especially in the heels of the feet
- Helps in recovering of pulled muscles
- Relaxes stiff joints
- Good for scars
How to Perform Paraffin Wax Therapy at Home
What you’ll need:
- 1 cup of essential oil or mineral oil
- A double boiler or paraffin bath
- 4lbs paraffin wax (food grade)
- Thick towel or warming mitt
- A plastic bag that fits your hands
- Warm water and soap
What to do:
- Melt the wax in the paraffin bath. Once it melts, let it stay in the paraffin bath.
- If you don’t have a paraffin bath, you can use a double boiler. Put the wax in the boiler then set the temperature to medium or low. Once the wax is melted, pour it into a greased and sanitized plastic container.
- Prepare your feet or hands. Wash them using warm water and some soap. Pat them dry using a towel.
- To avoid being burned, test the temperature of the already melted wax using your finger or a candy thermometer.
- Immerse your foot or hand completely into the bath (that is after you’ve double checked the temperature).
- You can now place your hand into the plastic bag (this is less messy). Then put it in a warming mitt or wrap it using a towel in order to retain the heat for longer.
- Do the other foot or hand.
- After about 15-20 minutes, remove the cool wax from your feet or hands.
Video Tutorial
These guys may appear to be a little wacky but you will learn a lot about how to use a paraffin bath at home.
Pro Tips
If it’s your first time to use a paraffin bath, make sure that you follow the instructions provided by the manufacture. This is to avoid having accidents since you’re going to be heating wax. To be safer, start the procedure from the lowest setting. Use a laser thermometer (if you own one) to check on the temperature of the wax.
If you’re planning to use Korean face masks, make sure that you don’t exceed the recommended heating time. As for using paraffin baths, the opposite is quite true. The longer you leave your hands or feet in the wax glove, the better the results.
After the treatment you can apply some moisturizer on your hands or feet as long as it’s not contra-indicated for the condition you are trying to treat.
