Dipping your hands and feet into molten wax might sound like a form of torture, but once you try it, you may become a fan. Paraffin melts at lower temperatures than depilatory wax. The texture of paraffin grows silky as it melts, rather than sticky. You can find paraffin baths at luxury spas, nail salons and in home treatments kits.
History
During the Roman Empire, servants would pour hot wax onto the body to prepare it for massage. The French spread molten paraffin wax onto open wounds to speed healing. The British military used paraffin therapy for orthopedic disorders during World War I. Dipping the hands and feet into paraffin became a treatment for arthritis, as the wax retains heat and can envelop the skin around smaller joints. When patients noted how soft their skin was after a paraffin dip, the treatment became a beauty ritual.
In Practice
A paraffin treatment involves dipping your hands or feet into a small heated bowl of melted wax several times. The outer layer of wax creates a water-tight, yet pliable layer around your skin. Many spas will immerse your hands and feet in rich lotion before the paraffin dip. The treatment may include wrapping your wax-covered hands and feet in plastic bags and towels to hold in the heat and moisture and keep the wax from sloughing off too soon. The heat opens the pores of your skin, allowing it to absorb moisture. The heat also increases circulation, providing relief for sore joints and tendons. The paraffin usually is scented to add an element of aromatherapy. After about 15 minutes, the esthetician slides the wax off your hands and feet, exfoliating dead skin cells.
Benefits
A paraffin dip will leave your skin soft and moisturized. The treatment is especially effective for thick, dry skin on the heel. The increased blood flow to your joints and tissues can help ease the pain and stiffness of arthritis or injuries. Muscles will relax with the heat. Paraffin dips can even increase range of motion for people with scleroderma because the treatment increases the flexibility of the skin. A paraffin dip can help you relax, since you must sit still for the duration without using your hands and feet.
Warnings
Alert your esthetician if you have any allergies, so that you can avoid them in your lotion and wax. Keep in mind that paraffin is a wax byproduct of crude oil. Do not do a paraffin treatment if you have open wounds on your hands or feet. Do not crack the paraffin wax once it is applied. The cracks can become hot spots. Be careful not to touch the bottom and sides of the heated bowl. During home treatments, handle the wax with care; it is flammable.
Home Treatments
You can find home kits for paraffin treatments at drugstores and online. They usually include a heater, wax, fragrances and plastic bags. If you plan to use this treatment regularly, a home kit can be economical since the wax can be reused. The Ohio State University Medical Center provides instructions for paraffin treatments using wax and a crockpot. Be careful to keep the hot wax out of reach of children and animals.
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