Paraffin has been successfully used for medical and cosmetic purposes for a long time. In physiotherapy, it is used as part of the complex treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, and dermatological pathologies. The cleansing and rejuvenating properties of paraffin are in demand in cosmetology. It is used for procedures on the skin of the hands, face and other parts of the body.
Modern manufacturers produce various types of cosmetic paraffin - both regular and with various additives. It is suitable for procedures in salons and for home use.
Paraffin bath for hands and feet - how the procedure works
A paraffin bath for hands and feet is a procedure in which the limbs are immersed in a container filled with heated paraffin to deeply moisturize the skin of the limbs.
Hands or feet are lowered into a bath of molten paraffin several times: each time after the previous layer has hardened, to create the next paraffin layer (usually 3-5 layers are made). If you have dry skin on your hands or feet, or have cracked skin, then a paraffin bath for your hands and feet is an excellent solution to these problems. Cosmetic paraffin in the molten state creates an air- and waterproof film on the skin, which facilitates the penetration of oils contained in the cosmetic paraffin itself into the deeper layers of the skin.
Paraffin therapy for hands and feet: video
Therefore, paraffin hand baths - reviews confirm this - are very well suited for soothing and healing chapped skin, especially in the autumn-winter period, when exposure to weather conditions has a detrimental effect on the condition of the skin of the hands. And it’s not at all necessary to go to the salon for this, because... It's very easy to make paraffin hand baths at home.
Both in the salon and at home the procedure will be absolutely the same. In salons, paraffin therapy for hands, the price ranges from 500-800 rubles per procedure. All you need is to purchase a paraffin bath once and periodically replenish your supplies of cosmetic paraffin. Below we will describe in detail how to make paraffin baths for hands or feet.
What kind of paraffin is needed, and where to buy it?
Cosmetic paraffin is sold in pharmacies and specialized cosmetic stores.
It is best to purchase paraffin with various useful additives for cosmetic purposes. Like this:
- Paraffin with olive, aloe vera or peach oil has the purpose of softening the skin.
- To nourish and relieve inflammation, it is better to purchase paraffin with rose oil.
- For joint pain, use a product containing lemon, lavender or tea tree oil.
Paraffin therapy at home - what is needed for this
If you really like the paraffin therapy procedure, but you don’t have time to constantly visit beauty salons, then you can set up a salon at home. Paraffin therapy for hands at home requires only a few things:
- A paraffin therapy bath for hands and feet can be bought on the Internet for relatively little money (from 2,500 rubles).
- Cosmetic paraffin - you can also buy it on the Internet or in a pharmacy. For cosmetic paraffin, the price at the pharmacy starts from 220 rubles per 450 ml. To start using a paraffin bath, you will first have to fill it with 1.5 kg of paraffin, and then add it as you use it. As a rule, 450 grams of paraffin is enough for 4-6 procedures for hands or 2-4 procedures for feet.
Paraffin bath for hands and feet – which one is better to choose?
Many may have completely reasonable questions - how to choose a paraffin bath, what you need to pay attention to when purchasing, what a comfortable bath for paraffin therapy should look like. So, a good and comfortable paraffin bath for hands and feet should -
- Have sufficient volume and size so that you can freely put your arms, elbow or feet into it. So, a volume of 1500-2000 ml is usually sufficient if you are going to use the bath only for your hands. More volume is already needed for the legs, but again it all depends on your build.
- Have a quick heating function - different baths have different heating times for paraffin (from 1.5 to 4 hours). Of course, the faster the paraffin heats up, the more convenient and better it is for you.
- Have a paraffin heating indicator - as well as a thermostat to maintain the desired temperature.
- Have a filter on the bottom to collect unwanted particles and make it easier to clean the bath itself, as well as a lid for the bath so you can store cooled cosmetic paraffin directly in it.
- To be resistant to tipping over - it is best if it is attached to the surface of a table or floor using suction cups.
- Have an affordable price - you can buy paraffin baths for hands and feet on the Internet ranging from 2500 to 4500 rubles.
What paraffin baths do we recommend ? On the Russian market, the choice of paraffin baths for home (and not for salon) use is small, and is represented by only a few manufacturers, most of which are of unknown origin. We have noted 2 models, the manufacturers of which provide more or less complete specifications, and which are quite convenient for use at home -
- Bath "Gezatone WW3500" (Fig. 4) is a paraffin bath from a French manufacturer at a price of about 4,000 rubles).
- Bath for paraffin therapy “Harizma” (Fig. 5) - from a Chinese manufacturer, priced from 2,500 rubles.
Both baths heat up paraffin in 1.5-2 hours, have a volume of about 2000 ml, with a minimum paraffin level of 1500 ml. Also, these paraffin baths are equipped with thermostats that allow you to heat and maintain the temperature of the paraffin within 52-70 degrees.
Which cosmetic paraffin to choose?
Cosmetic paraffin is made with the addition of oil essences, various fragrances, and dyes. Therefore, choosing which cosmetic paraffin to buy depends on your personal taste, aesthetic and olfactory preferences. Often additional aroma oils are added to cosmetic paraffin: lemon, jasmine, peach, aloe, rose, green tea, lavender and others.
Most often, cosmetic paraffin is sold in 450 ml packaging. This volume is enough for 4-6 procedures. However, keep in mind: to carry out the first procedure, the paraffin bath must be immediately filled with approximately 1500 ml of paraffin.
Important: if you are going to make paraffin hand baths at home only for yourself, then after the procedure the paraffin can be added back to the bath and reused. And if someone else (except you) uses a paraffin bath, then the paraffin removed from the skin must be thrown away. Sometimes the manufacturer of cosmetic paraffin writes whether this type of paraffin is suitable or not for reuse (24stoma.ru).
The effect of paraffin on the skin
The product is a white substance with a wax-like consistency. Its composition cannot be called useful and unique, but this does not interfere with the beneficial effect that paraffin has on the epidermis. It affects the skin as follows:
- Tightens pores and helps clean them.
- Gets rid of blackheads and acne.
- Evens out facial tone by normalizing blood circulation in the upper layers of the epidermis.
- Tones the skin and muscles of the face.
- Launches tissue renewal and healing processes.
- Has antimicrobial properties.
- Smoothes out small wrinkles.
- Regulates the functioning of the sebaceous glands.
- Increases the firmness and elasticity of the epidermis.
- Promotes better penetration of oxygen into tissue cells.
- Stimulates the production of collagen, which is the main assistant in preserving the youth of the skin.
One of the unique properties of cosmetic paraffin is the ability to remove toxins from the outer layer of the epidermis.
Indications for use
The use of cosmetic paraffin is indicated in the following cases:
- Decreased skin tone, loss of firmness and elasticity.
- Dryness, peeling, irritation of the epidermis.
- Oily skin.
- Problematic epidermis, prone to inflammation and rashes.
- Fine and deep wrinkles.
Before starting paraffin therapy, you should consult with a dermatologist and cosmetologist to exclude the possibility of complications.
Contraindications for the procedure
In some cases, the use of a substance may harm the body, so the following contraindications must be taken into account:
- An absolute contraindication to the procedure is pregnancy.
- If there are moles or warts on the face that rise above the surface of the skin, it is better to avoid using paraffin.
- Pronounced spider veins on the face will also become an obstacle to the procedure, since in this case it is not recommended to stimulate blood flow to the epidermis.
- Some cardiovascular pathologies, for example, persistent arterial hypertension, prevent the use of cosmetics.
- Violation of the integrity of the skin, purulent foci of infection on the face.
- Blood clotting disorder.
- Tendency to allergic manifestations.
- Oncology.
- Women with sensitive skin should use the product with caution, as the risk of irritation after steaming increases significantly.
Rules of application
It is important to know the rules for using cosmetic paraffin. Use at home requires preliminary preparation of the skin to achieve the desired result. You should know that:
- The product will work better on cleansed skin, so it is recommended to use a soft scrub before the procedure.
- Immediately before using the substance, lubricate the epidermis with Vaseline.
- The ingredient melts at a temperature of +50°C, so before application it is necessary to place the required amount of the substance in a plastic bag and melt it in a water bath.
- Do not heat the product too much.
- It is better to apply the composition with a brush over the entire surface of the face, excluding the area around the eyes.
- It is allowed to apply several layers with an interval of 5 minutes.
- The exposure time of the mask is 20 minutes.
- After removing the product, apply a nourishing cream.
- It is recommended not to expose your face to negative environmental factors for 30 minutes after the procedure.
It is important to conduct sessions regularly, every 3 days for a month. If burns appear on the face, it is necessary to stop using the product until complete healing and reduce the temperature of the applied composition.
Paraffin therapy at home - method of implementation
First, heat the cosmetic paraffin in a bath to the required melting temperature (50-65 degrees). Modern paraffin baths are equipped with special sensors that heat the paraffin to the desired temperature and turn off the heating. Cosmetic paraffin from different manufacturers may have different heat capacity, and therefore the heating temperature may differ slightly (the recommended temperature is indicated by the manufacturer in the instructions).
Thus, it will not be possible to overheat the paraffin. But just in case, check the temperature of the heated paraffin on the back of your hand - you should feel warm, but not burning. The sequence of your further actions is
- Remove all jewelry and jewelry from your fingers.
- Wash and dry the skin on the treated area thoroughly. Keep in mind that the clearer the skin, the longer you can use the same paraffin for subsequent treatments.
- Treating the surface of the skin with cream. In general, this stage is performed only at your request, and is not mandatory, because Cosmetic paraffin already contains skin-moisturizing oils. The advantage of pre-treatment with cream is that the hardened paraffin will then be easier to remove.
- Relax your arm or leg and slowly immerse it in a paraffin bath with heated liquid paraffin for 10 seconds. Lower your hand slowly and carefully, without touching the walls and bottom of the bath, so as not to get burned (Fig. 11-12).
- Remove your hand/foot from the bath and wait a few seconds until the paraffin hardens and stops dripping.
- Place the limb back into the bath and remove it after a few seconds.
- Repeat until the arm/leg is covered with several layers of paraffin (usually 3-5 layers).
- After this, wrap the limb in cling film or put a plastic bag on it (Fig. 13).
- Wrap the limb in a terry towel on top to increase the duration of the thermal effect.
- Rest like this for about 15-30 minutes, imagining how the skin on your hands (or feet) becomes soft, tender and moisturized.
- After 15-30 minutes, simply remove the frozen paraffin from your arm or leg. You can put it back in the bath to use next time (Fig. 14). Next, enjoy moisturized and soft skin on your hands or feet.
Composition of cosmetic paraffin
The starting material for the production of this substance is oil. Paraffins of varying degrees of purification are made from it, which are used both in industry and in the domestic sphere. For example, candles are made from them.
In cosmetology, only highly purified paraffin with a melting point of about 53 degrees is used. It does not contain impurities that can harm the skin. Additional ingredients may be added to improve characteristics, such as vitamins, essential oils, plant extracts, etc. Some manufacturers also use safe dyes. Purified cosmetic paraffin does not cause allergic reactions, so it is suitable for different skin types. It is better to choose formulations with additives on the recommendation of a specialist who can advise the most effective means taking into account individual characteristics.
How to make a paraffin face mask correctly -
Important: for the procedure, only special cosmetic wax is used specifically for the face, intended specifically for use at home.
You must carefully read the instructions for the wax, and pay special attention to the temperature to which it needs to be heated. Paraffin facial therapy: video
How is the procedure performed? –
- The skin of the face and neck must be cleansed with a special cleanser. Thorough washing ensures that dirt, dust, and traces of cosmetics do not clog pores and cause inflammation.
- Before applying a paraffin face mask, reviews from some cosmetologists recommend applying a cosmetic cream or lotion to the skin, which will help additionally nourish the skin with beneficial substances. You can also add your favorite cosmetic and essential oils to the paraffin itself, which will provide additional effects to the procedure.
- Heat the wax in a paraffin bath to the desired temperature. Before applying to the face, check the temperature of the paraffin. To do this, it is recommended to apply heated paraffin to the back of your hand - it should be pleasantly warm, but not hot.
- Warm paraffin is applied to the facial skin with a special brush, along massage lines, avoiding the eye area, mouth and around the nose, so that you can breathe freely during the procedure. Start applying paraffin from the middle of the chin, moving up to the cheeks and ears. The chin is covered last.
- Typically 3-4 layers of paraffin are applied, and the resulting paraffin face mask should be about 5mm thick. Paraffin wax may be too thin and drip, so use old or unwanted T-shirts during the procedure.
- Typically, a paraffin facial mask should remain on your skin for 10-15 minutes or until it sets completely. After which it is carefully removed from the face completely or in parts, starting from the chin.
- After the procedure, it is recommended to apply a moisturizer to the skin. In winter, after the procedure, it is not recommended to go outside for an hour.
How does cosmetic paraffin work?
The peculiarity of this substance is its very slow cooling and long-term heat retention. At the same time, cosmetic paraffin has a low melting point, so it turns into liquid form before it gets too hot. When applied to the skin, this mask has a moderate warming effect and does not cause discomfort.
The paraffin layer does not allow air to pass through, so underneath it a kind of sauna effect is obtained. The heat increases sweating, which helps flush out toxins and other impurities from the skin. Then the paraffin mask (and with it the surface of the body) gradually cools down, the pores narrow. As a result, the remaining moisture is absorbed back, and large molecules of harmful substances remain outside. In this case, fluid is redistributed because water is absorbed into the dry areas of the skin that most need hydration.
Paraffin therapy: indications and contraindications
We discussed above what the use of paraffin therapy in cosmetology can achieve. This method is also used to treat the following diseases –
- joint inflammation (arthritis, bursitis),
- joint dislocations,
- muscle spasms, muscle strains, fibromyalgia,
- rheumatism,
- to soften scar tissue,
- eczema, psoriasis,
- diseases of ligaments and tendons with a pain component.
Contraindications to paraffin therapy –
- infection and inflammation on the treated skin,
- open wounds, cuts,
- for diseases that reduce or increase the skin sensitivity threshold.
Paraffin therapy is also not recommended –
- for hypertension,
- for diabetes mellitus,
- with varicose veins.
The benefits of paraffin therapy
The main healing properties of paraffin applications include:
- Compression effect. After hardening, paraffin decreases in volume by approximately 10% - this property indicates a tightening effect; tissue lymph flow is enhanced due to compression.
- Metabolism accelerates, which promotes the rapid removal of harmful substances from the body.
- Anti-inflammatory effect. The lingering and spreading heat deep into the layers of the human body contributes to the rapid relief of painful sensations and the healing of the body, both mono and complex. Paraffin therapy is widely used for the treatment of joints, restoration of muscle tone, for fractures, acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections, and therapy of internal organs.
- Skin renewal (rejuvenation, resorption of scars and scars).
How is paraffin useful?
Paraffin is a substance made from petroleum. It has a wax-like consistency. For cosmetic procedures, the highest quality product is used, without harmful impurities. It melts at a temperature of 53 degrees. It is sold in the form of solid pieces. Sometimes vitamin complexes, oils, honey, herbal extracts and cocoa can be added to the main substance. A wax-like product in combination with these components has a positive effect on the skin, namely:
- nourishes the epidermis because it creates a film on the surface of action that does not allow beneficial substances to evaporate;
- smoothes wrinkles - when hardened, the product contracts and tightens the skin, providing a lifting effect;
- stimulates blood circulation as it gives off heat;
- moisturizes - due to the thermal effect, the pores open, the skin warms up and moisture easily penetrates into it;
- relaxes – that’s why it is often used for spa treatments.
Rules for applying masks
Cosmetic paraffin is most often used as part of masks. It is necessary to follow some important recommendations for their application:
- Always check the temperature of the product before use. You can test it on the forearm area. If the procedure does not cause discomfort and does not burn, you can use the mask on other areas;
- Apply the substance using a cosmetic brush or cotton pad. It is permissible to use gauze or bandage;
- When applying, always use upward movements, starting from the chin and ending with the forehead;
- recommended layer of active substance – no more than 7 mm;
- to increase the action time, cover the area where the mask is applied with cling film, and then place a towel moistened with warm water on top;
- do not keep the product on your face for more than 20 minutes;
- After the procedure, always use a moisturizer, it will enhance the effect of the substance.
Reviews about facial paraffin therapy
I haven’t had to do paraffin on my face yet, but I do it on my hands all the time. When I go for a manicure, I do it at the salon. And then I carry out procedures at home 2 more times a week. Now I'm thinking about a facial procedure. I just haven’t decided which product is best to use.
Natalia, Norilsk
I have dry facial skin. I have been making paraffin masks at home for many years now. I used to go to a beauty salon, then moved to another city. My master suggested that you can do the procedure at home. I’m already in my 5th decade, and there aren’t even small wrinkles on my face.
Nina, 42 years old, Astrakhan
I bought cosmetic paraffin with lime scent at the pharmacy. I read a lot about the benefits of paraffin therapy and what miracles it works. Unfortunately, I turned out to be allergic to the drug. So the result was disappointing.
Irina, Omsk
Originally posted 2018-03-11 05:56:23.