What Is A Paraffin Manicure?

Paraffin manicures, when performed properly, can be an extravagant and pampering treatment that seals in moisture for healthy nails and smooth skin. Furthermore, paraffin massage can also alleviate stiffness and pain associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis or fibromyalgia conditions.

Have you seen it on nail salon menus: an offering consisting of an invigorating hand soak or massage using warm paraffin wax? But, exactly what does that involve?

What is Paraffin Wax?

Paraffin wax is a white, colorless soft solid made of saturated hydrocarbons distilled from crude petroleum and used in many beauty products such as lip balm, baby oil and Vaseline. In medical laboratories it is also often used to impregnate tissue prior to sectioning it off.

Before receiving a paraffin wax treatment, it’s essential that you wash and dry your hands. A double boiler or slow cooker are both suitable options for melting wax; however, to ensure safe melting conditions it is advisable to monitor its temperature using a candy thermometer – hot enough so as to cause skin burn if immersing your hand or foot into it.

Liquid wax is then placed into a paraffin bath, where it can be stirred and kept warm. You may reuse this same bath for multiple treatments; however, to maintain optimal performance it should be cleaned after each use to avoid build-up of sediments and keep its performance at its highest potential. You can find paraffin baths at most medical spas and some home improvement stores.

How to Get a Paraffin Manicure

Paraffin manicures involve being covered with melted paraffin wax that’s been combined with aromatic oils like lavender. Once covered, plastic is placed over your hands or feet so they can soak for about 15 minutes in the warm wax before being removed and your hands and nails left soft and shiny.

Mineral oil in paraffin provides soothing moisture for skin and nails, softening hard calluses while increasing circulation to soothe achy joints. It is one of the more costly offerings at any salon or spa.

Paraffin treatments should not be performed by those suffering from hypertension or diabetes, as they could disrupt their blood flow and result in numbness or unusual sensations. Also if you have varicose veins it would likely be too uncomfortable a treatment; but for healthy veins this might be worth exploring further!

Benefits of Paraffin Wax

Paraffin wax treatments saturate skin with moisture while helping lock it in, making them particularly helpful for very dry, cracked hands. In addition, heat from melted wax increases blood flow to enhance joint mobility and relieve stiff joints and muscles – particularly beneficial in relieving stiff joints in hands.

Additionally, the warm, moistened environment created by liquefied wax helps soften cuticles and nails for easier clipping or filing, making this treatment ideal for people suffering from calluses or rough, cracked hands and feet.

But the great thing about paraffin wax isn’t just its luxurious cosmetic benefits; it also has therapeutic ones. For example, hot wax can help treat arthritis and fibromyalgia by increasing blood flow, relaxing muscles, decreasing joint stiffness and pain and opening pores and clearing away dead skin cells from pores. There are even kits available to purchase online that provide this treatment at home!

Paraffin Wax Safety

Paraffin wax can be safely used by everyone when used according to its directions, although pregnant and people with serious skin conditions, like diabetes, should take certain precautions when applying it.

One key point to keep in mind when working with paraffin wax is that it can get very hot. Be wary when handling it and keep your hands away from anything flammable while dipping them in it; alternatively you could use a towel as protection from its heat.

If you are diabetic, paraffin manicures should be avoided as they can cause thermal burns. Furthermore, inhaling fumes from melted wax may irritate the nose and throat as well as lead to chemical burns on skin if in contact. Furthermore, paraffin wax may worsen varicose veins by increasing swelling and pain in hands.