Melted paraffin baths, sometimes combined with mineral oil or fragrant essential oils, offers several benefits. Physical therapy centers, spas and beauty salons offer paraffin baths, or you can make your own at home by melting paraffin and oil in a crock pot. Dip your hands or feet int he still-warm paraffin, then wrap your wax-coated extremities in plastic and cover them with cloths to allow the heat and moisture to soak in.
Moisturizing
The combination of paraffin and oil leaves skin soft and supple. The warmth of the paraffin bath allows moisturizers to penetrate the skin. Salons and spas often offer paraffin baths as part of manicures or pedicures. The technician applies moisturizer, then dips the hands or feet in the paraffin bath. The cooling wax forms a glove around the extremity, and plastic and cloth wraps allow the heat to penetrate. Once the wax has cooled and completely hardened, you can peel it off and discard it, revealing soft skin beneath.
Pain Relief
Arthritis sufferers turn to paraffin baths to relieve pain in their hands. The warm, moist heat of the paraffin bath penetrates knotted muscles and stiff joints, encouraging muscles to relax and easing stiffness. You may skip the moisturizing step described above and simply dip your hands or feet in the paraffin solution. Wrap your extremities in plastic wrap or bags and slip on over-sized socks or oven mitts. Relax and allow the heat to penetrate and ease your pain.
Flexibility
Physical therapists prescribe paraffin baths to loosen joints stiffened not only by arthritis, but by injury or scar tissue. The physical therapist administers a paraffin bath as a way to loosen up stiff joints prior to massage or stretching therapy.
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