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Paraffin wax is a kind of wax that is usually white and has a colourless soft texture or it is solid wax. It is composed of saturated hydrocarbons. Paraffin Wax Bath serves the best purpose in a skin-softening salon and treatments of it on the hands, cuticles, and feet in the spa. It is devoid of any colour, taste, and odour. It also relieves pain in sore joints and muscles.
Paraffin wax is beneficial in so many other ways as well. It also acts as a lubricating agent, electrical insulation, and in the manufacturing of candles and crayons.
5 Benefits of Paraffin Wax Bath
Some of the benefits of paraffin wax bath are as follows:-
#1. Heals achy hands
We often take less care of our hands. It is necessary to take care of them since they are in motion all day. The conditions like soreness and stiffness can leave huge harm to your hands. Sometimes the joint becomes stiff and aches due to typing so much. And many more conditions like rough and sore fingers and stiffness arising from a chronic condition such as arthritis or scleroderma can be treated perfectly with the help of a warm paraffin wax bath treatment.
#2. Relieving of pain
A paraffin wax bath can help in relieving aches and pains. According to the Arthritis Health Professions Association, it is reported that by soaking hands in paraffin wax it is certain that one would experience pain relief immediately after following the treatment.
#3. Increases skin elasticity
A good paraffin wax bath surely improves the texture of the skin in numerous ways. The paraffin wax bath serves the best purpose in healing conditions such as scleroderma, or the hardening of the skin. According to Sandqvist, Akesson, and Eklund, a study conducted in 2004 found that soaking your skin in a paraffin wax bath can make the texture of skin softer, and more elastic than those who did not.
#4. Improved stiffness
A good paraffin wax bath improves elasticity as well as does optimum reduction of stiffness in the joints. The composition of heat in warm paraffin soaks can help in soothing muscles. It also improves the flow of the blood in making joints and hands feel more relaxed. This can help you ease your day to day regular activities before sore hands get in the way.
#5. Exfoliation and Moisturisation
Paraffin is wax that cools due to hardening. The removal of it from the skin removes the dead skin along with it and it also smoothens the texture of the hands. A paraffin wax bath softens the skin.
The composition of an emollient in a paraffin wax bath helps in making skin soft. The heated wax also serves the purpose to trap moisture by opening pores, softening the hands, smoother and better texture than ever.
Paraffin Wax Bath: Side effects
The examination of paraffin wax is done in a laboratory to make sure of its safety conditions and hygiene to be used on the body. Being a natural product it has a low melting point.
It further breaks down to the fact that it can be easily applied to the skin irrespective of any low or high temperature which slightly tends to cause burns or blisters. However, be cautious of using a paraffin wax bath if you have very sensitive skin since it can cause heat rashes. Heat rashes tend to cause small red bumps on the skin which can lead to itchiness making your skin uncomfortable.
Although it is recommendable to not use paraffin wax if you have:
- Low blood circulation.
- Your hands or feet often get numb.
- Diabetic patient.
- Any kind of rashes, infection and open sore.
Due to sensitivity against chemicals, the development of minor swelling or breakouts as a result of wax treatment is possible. It is mainly due to the origin of paraffin from petroleum products.
Be extra precautions while using a paraffin wax treatment at home, since by heating it beyond an optimum level it is prone to catch fire. While starting the treatment the temperature should be 125°F (51.7°C) not more or less than this.
Check out the benefits of Paraffin Wax Bath for Arthritis.
Paraffin Wax Bath: Usage
The paraffin wax treatment is usually done at a nail salon or spa, but one can also easily do it at home by following the instructions. To get the maximum benefits from the treatment it’s necessary to follow the instructions step by step.
The purchase of a portable paraffin wax bath is also recommendable for using it for at-home treatments. These devices help in the reduction of the number of supplies demanded and fortunately several of them come with paraffin wax.
While using a paraffin wax bath, the below instructions are necessary to follow with your machine:-
Step 1: Melting of the wax
By using a double boiler it gets a lot easier to melt paraffin wax at home. If you have put on nail paints then make sure to remove them before starting the wax process. After washing your hands properly it is recommendable to dry them with the help of a lint-free towel.
To melt the wax follow these steps:-
- At the top portion of a double boiler, you need to add approximately four pounds of paraffin wax.
- After adding optimal water to the bottom of the double boiler, heat the stove on a low heat and place it on the stove.
- After the boiling of the water, you should add at least one cup of mineral oil to the wax.
- After the complete melting of the max, you should take the double boiler off the stove. You should precariously take a greased plastic container to pour the wax.
- After some time there would be the formation of thin skin on the top of the wax.
- After completion of the process, you should check the temperature of the wax using a thermometer which should be within 125°F (51.7°C).
Step 2: Apply the wax
After the preparation of the wax, it’s ready to use. Here are the steps to follow for applying it:-
- Take a few drops and massage them properly into the area of the skin which would be used for the treatment.
- Until a formation of a layer over the area you should put your entire hand or foot into the wax. After dipping you should leave it for a few minutes.
- The next step should be undertaken after the wax has dried properly. As soon as the shine of it gets faded, the sooner wax gets dried.
- After drying the wax, you should dip your hand or foot back into the wax. Although you should dip your hands on the wax till the surface level and not to the depth.
- By repeating this process the warm wax does not get under the previous layers of wax leading to the prevention of burns.
- This process can be repeated at least 10 times till the layers of wax get on your hand or foot.
Step 3: Bag your hand or foot
After applying at least 10 layers of wax to your hand or foot, it is recommended to put a large plastic bag over it. Then with the help of a towel, you can either wrap it or place it in an oven mitt for 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 4: Removal of the wax
After putting it consecutively for 15 to 20 minutes, you should remove your hand from the mitt or towel and the plastic bag whichever you used. For the removal of residual wax from the skin, it is recommended to use soft tissue. Take a moisturizer and apply it all over your hand.
After the completion of the whole treatment, you should properly cover the paraffin and store the paraffin in a safe place for your next treatment.
Paraffin Wax Bath: Methods
#1. Dipping
When practising the dipping method, the hand or foot is wholly dipped in the liquid paraffin bath. After the formation of a thin layer of solid paraffin, it becomes adhesive and further leads to the coverage of the skin. The repetition of this procedure can be done at least 8 to 10 times until the formation of a thick paraffin glove.
#2. Immersion
The dipping method should be undertaken for a protective coverage of paraffin to further perform the immersion method. The suitable time which is prescribed should be followed for the immersion of the extremity until the melting of the paraffin. While applying this the patient should rest in a relaxed position. During the treatment process, it is recommended to put the padding on the edge of the tank to ease the further process and make the patient more comfortable.
#3. Brush the application or the paraffin pack or painting
To follow this procedure you can apply wax only by usage within a limited place of hand and feet.
#4. Casting or wrapping
This method can be followed by the specific usage of a towel after applying hot wax in a certain area.
#5. Pouring
This method is quite uncommon in comparison to the dipping and immersion method. Since the clinic used majorly the two of the above-mentioned methods.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Why should we use a paraffin wax bath?
A: The wax properly does coverage of the hand or other parts of the body such as the feet. Due to its warm temperature, it relieves arthritis pain, sore joints or sore muscles. A paraffin wax bath serves the best purpose for the treatment of various medical and surgical hand problems and it can also be the preference of your hand specialist.
Q2. Is it completely safe to use paraffin wax?
A: The examination of Paraffin wax is done in a laboratory to make sure it is completely safe and hygienic to be used on the body. Since it is natural and has a low melting point it can be applied to the skin freely at a low temperature to avoid causing blisters and burns.
Q3. Is paraffin prone to cause cancer?
A: Paraffin comes in a category of a waxy ingredient whose derivation primarily takes from petroleum. The candles which are made from such substances are prone to give off some toxic chemicals like toluene and benzene. These two chemicals are known as cancer-causing agents.
Q4. Is it true that paraffin wax is sanitary?
A: The treatment from paraffin wax are considered to be sanitary even if the same dip bath is taken by multiple people. After the immersion of hand or foot into melted paraffin, it simultaneously attains the coating with a layer of solidified paraffin
Q5. How is white paraffin for skin?
A: The usage of White soft paraffin is done as a barrier cream since it provides a layer of oil on the skin’s surface for further prevention of water from evaporating the surface of the skin. Since it is an emollient it is known to be a skin lubricant. It is used for soothing, smoothing and hydrating the skin.
Conclusion
Paraffin Wax bath is recognised as one of the most convenient, easy to use and efficient methods for application of the conduction of the heat to the extremities.
Paraffin wax has a very low melting point that’s why it is used at 55 Degree Celsius. The addition of liquid paraffin mineral oil is done to the melted wax to maintain the lower temperature of the wax liquid and for prevention of burn.
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At a temperature of 40° to 44° C, the paraffin wax remains melted. The thermal conductivity is kept at a low temperature for the prevention of heat in the water of the same temperature. However, the wax is known to be self-insulating.
A paraffin wax bath unit is a type of machine that does optimal heating and gradually holds paraffin wax which is primarily used for candles. It does the whole coverage of the hand and other body parts such as the feet. The warm temperature is beneficial for healing arthritis pain, sore joints or sore muscles.
A paraffin wax bath is recognised as the best cure for various medical and surgical hand problems and it even is highly recommended by numerous hand specialists. Although it is advisable to not use it while having open wounds, cuts, problems with sensation. You should not use it to only warm your hands.
