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Getting a paraffin wax is the ultimate pampering treatment you can give to yourself after a relaxing hand and feet treatment. It gives off the same energy as finishing your meal with some dessert wine or using a glittery eyeliner over your regular jet black one for that extra pizazz. For something so simple, a paraffin wax treatment is a luxurious treat you can splurge yourself with on top of your regular mani-pedi or spa session. There is a good reason, too, behind the popularity of this extra treatment. Not only does it offer many wonderful benefits for the skin, but it is also believed to treat a number of ailments and improve overall health.
All about that wax :
Getting a paraffin wax treatment is usually recommended for those who want to boost their skin’s moisture. Paraffin is a natural emollient so it coats the skin with moisture when it is applied and helps retain the natural oils in the body once removed.
A wax bath is usually offered by nail salons but it can also be done at home with the help of a paraffin wax machine. The session usually goes with the hands or feet being dipped several times into a small tub of melted wax until the skin is coated with several layers. The hands or feet will then be covered in a plastic bag or cling foil before being wrapped by hand towels. The treatment usually lasts for 10 to 15 minutes after which it is peeled from the skin. We will talk about these methods in detail below so make sure to read on.
The benefits :
A paraffin treatment can help bring a number of cosmetic and therapeutic benefits. We listed the two main benefits below:
- It helps soften skin.
Getting a paraffin treatment is often recommended to those who want to heal dry and cracked skin because of its nourishing and moisture-locking benefits. A paraffin session opens the pores of the skin, which makes it easier for the hydrating layers to penetrate into it. This is also the reason why a paraffin hand treatment comes after a manicure—because it can help moisturize the skin and cuticles after soaking and buffing.
- It can help with pain relief.
In addition to providing cosmetic benefits, a paraffin wax treatment can also be therapeutic, especially in terms of relieving pain. It is believed to help alleviate pain caused by conditions like fibromyalgia and arthritis by acting as a type of heat and thermotherapy that can increase blood flow, reduce the stiffness of joints, and relax muscles. It can also aid in minimizing inflammation and spasms, making it an option for providing quick relief for pulled muscles and strains.
- Is it safe?
Manufactured paraffin wax is lab tested to make sure that they are safe to be used. Since it has a low melting point, it can be melted and applied to the skin without any worries of causing blisters or burns. Still, it takes having the right tools and following correct procedures to apply it properly. It’s alright to do it at home, but make sure that you have the best paraffin wax machine before you do. Looking for options? We did the researching for you and listed the best paraffin wax warmers below!
Our top picks for an easy peasy Paraffin Wax bath experience you can do at home:
Pros: Heats wax fast, uses high-grade materials
Cons: Wax can get hard a bit fast when left sitting.
Though marketed primarily as a wax warmer for hair waxing, this beauty from Yeelen (check out its cute color!) can be used for DIY paraffin waxing sessions, too! It comes with an adjustable temperature of 160℉to 240℉ and only takes eight minutes to warm your chosen wax. Yeelen brings the spa experience right at your home with its four different flavor wax beans that come in relaxing and unique scents like chamomile, lavender, and chocolate! This wax machine guarantees safety and comfort with its upgraded ABS material and US three pin plug guarantee. It also packs a punch when it comes to versatility because it can melt a variety of wax types like hard, loose, brick, and microwavable types. Check out this link to get this model now.
Pros: Easy to use, provides relief for joint pain and skin dryness
Cons: Users with bigger-sized feet may find its size limiting.
HomeMedic’s paraffin wax machine is designed to provide the best benefits of paraffin treatment. It promises to help nourish dehydrated skin with its free hypoallergenic wax and soothes aching joints by slowly heating the wax and releasing the warmth to the pained area. It has a complete paraffin wax system that is so versatile, you won’t even think about booking a paraffin session outside ever! It’s also very easy to use thanks to its simple design and minimal controls. If you’re a beginner, this is one of the best paraffin wax machine models you can get. Check out this item’s details here.
Pros: Comes in a versatile size which can accommodate a lot of sizes.
Cons: Takes a bit of time to heat up wax.
Everything about this paraffin wax machine from Salon Sundry–from its design to its features spells professional quality. Its sleek exterior and durable metal interior look sophisticated and clean and it is constructed to have a large open design to accommodate the hands, feet, and elbows. Unlike other paraffin wax machine models, it also has a clear viewing lid so you can easily see when your wax is ready to use. Protective grills and handles are also included in its design for easy and safe handling. Read more about this beauty from Salon Sundry by clicking on this link!
Pros: Gentle heat controls that also offers relief for painful joints
Cons: Doesn’t fit bigger sized feet, tub is a bit shallow
Your favorite drugstore beauty brand truly has got it all with this paraffin bath machine from Revlon. It’s easy to use, which makes it perfect for beginners, and its gentle heating wax control can help smoothen skin of the hands, elbows, and feet. The set also comes complete with 3 lbs. Of rain scented wax, 30 glove liners, and two thermal mitts. Pretty good for a makeup brand, don’t you think? You can order Revlon’s paraffin wax machine here.
Pros: Affordable, easy to use
Cons: Can tend to get very hot–user needs to let the wax cool a bit before using, size may not accommodate bigger feet
This paraffin wax machine from Conair looks more like it belongs to a spa than at home with its sleek, sophisticated design. It can accommodate 1 lb of wax and promises to aid in alleviating dryness and helping with sun damage and signs of aging by providing an exfoliating and hydrating spa treatment at home. A bit of caution though, it takes a bit of practice to figure out the right temperature of heating up the wax. It is so efficient in heating that you may need to let the melted paraffin ~*chill*~ a bit on the tub before using it! Other than that, it is a pretty good and affordable option if you want to get a paraffin wax treatment at home. Read more about this model by heading to this link.
Pros: fast heating, easy to clean
Cons: Size limits use to those with average-size feet
Impatient gals, put your hands up! This Lavany Paraffin Wax Warmer from Jerrybox is for everyone who wants instant relief and pampering with its super fast wax meltdown. This model heats and melts wax in just 0.5 hours using an advanced circuit system. Moreover, you can keep your wax warm from 30 to 180 minutes with its warm timer feature. No need for manual adjustments, just press a button and you can pamper yourself again with no hassle. The Lavany Wax Warmer can accommodate the hands, elbows, and feet and includes four bags of beans with ingredients like lavender, rose, and aloe. Get yours by following this link.
Pros: Provides easy, effortless dipping of hands and feet.
Cons: Can take a bit to heat up wax.
This model from Parabath is made for those who have always had trouble finding a paraffin wax warmer that can easily accommodate their hands and feet. It comes with a deep and oversized stainless steel tank and insulated outer housing designed for effortless dipping of hands, wrists, feet, ankles, and elbows. Similar to other paraffin wax machines, it promises to provide relief to painful joints with its warm, soothing heat. Get your own by clicking this link.
Pros: Good size and depth, automatic setting for ideal temperature.
Cons: Doesn’t come with an on and off switch and manual temperature control
This paraffin wax warmer from Therabath prides itself for its quality and ability to offer the best that paraffin baths can offer. The model is 25 percent deeper than previous designs to make sure that the user can dip without having to struggle in the tub. It also comes with a lightweight and energy-efficient anodized aluminum tank that runs in an “always safe temperature” feature which warms the wax at the ideal range of heat of 126 to 130 degrees F. Similar to other paraffin wax machines, using the Therabath Professional Thermotherapy bath promises to help provide relief to muscle stiffness and arthritis. Check out its other details by following this link.
Pros: Wide range of temperature control, free wax brush
Cons: Can only accommodate 2 lbs of paraffin wax
If you’re looking for a paraffin wax machine that heats fast, this one from Lavany is your best bet. At only 20 minutes, you can enjoy a paraffin wax treatment at home that can help renew dry skin and provide instant relief to sore joints. This machine can accommodate 2 lbs of paraffin wax in less than half an hour at 158 degrees F and comes with a wide temperature and heat preservation features that allow you to tweak the heat to one that is most comfortable to you. Unlike other models, this one from Lavany also comes with a special brush that you can use to evenly spread the wax in case you weren’t able to cover everything while dipping. Order your own by following this link.
Pros: Comes with two heat settings, large enough to allow comfortable dipping for those with average-sized feet, heats quickly
Cons: Switch hardware may need gentle handling
This paraffin wax machine may look small and sleek, but it definitely packs a punch when it comes to benefits. This beauty from Paraffin Wax Works is marketed mainly to help those with weak blood circulation but it is useful in soothing dry and cracked skin, too. It comes with low- and high-temperature settings so you can adjust according to your comfort and can melt 5 lbs of paraffin in just 45 minutes. The free lavender-infused paraffin wax is just the cherry on top when you order one. Click this link to get yours now.
How to do your own paraffin wax treatment at home:
Each model of paraffin wax machine may have its different set of specific instructions but there is a general way of DIYing this luxury treatment. Below is a step-by-step of how to pull it off, though we still suggest you follow what’s written on the box of your paraffin wax warmer in case yours requires special methods of use.
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Melt the wax.
Add the paraffin wax into the warmer and let it heat up until it is properly and evenly melted. You can know if the wax is ready to use if a thin “skin” has developed on the surface. To be on the safe side, use a thermometer and see if it is on the safe heat level. You can know if it is safe to use if it is on 125 degrees F.
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Apply.
Once the wax is ready, dip your hands, feet, or elbows into the tub, making sure to leave it there for a few seconds until a layer covers the entire skin surface. Repeat this process until you have about ten layers of wax covering the body part you are treating. It is highly suggested that you thoroughly clean the skin before dipping it into the wax. If you’re having trouble covering the whole area, use a brush to even the application.
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Bag it!
Once you’ve properly covered the part with wax, cover it with plastic (most paraffin wax warmers already include these on their kit) and wrap it in cloth for 15 to 20 minutes. Relax and enjoy the warmth!
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Peel it off.
This is probably the next most exciting part of the treatment after the actual heat therapy. After the 20 minutes is up, remove the mittens and the plastic bag covering the body part you are treating. You can tug the wax gently with the plastic and just use a soft tissue to clean up if there are any residues left on your skin. Finish your very own paraffin spa treatment at home by putting moisturizing all over the body part you just treated to lock in the moisture. Try to avoid washing your hands for at least two hours to make sure that the moisture sinks into the skin well.
Things to remember when doing a DIY paraffin wax treatment:
Doing your very own paraffin wax treatment is generally safe, but there are certain precautions that you should still follow, especially if you are a beginner. Take into mind the following things to save yourself from burns and other problems.
- Test the wax first before dipping to make sure that it is at the right temperature. When dipping your hands, feet, or elbows, mind not to dip deep on the first layer because the new layer of wax can have a tendency of seeping underneath the other layer, which in turn, can cause burns. For a guide, anything hotter than 125 F will burn you.
- Do a skin test before using the wax.
A lot of paraffin waxes being marketed today are hypoallergenic, but it’s still a good idea to do a skin test first especially if you have sensitive skin. Some paraffin waxes, especially those scented and flavored can trigger allergic reactions. To do a skin test, just put a strip of wax on the inner part of your arm or wrist and wait to see if your skin reacts to it.
- Never leave your paraffin wax warmer for too long. Even if a machine claims that it is made with the best materials, don’t leave it unattended. Paraffin wax melts at very low temperatures so it can also be flammable when it gets hot.
How often should you do a paraffin wax bath?
A paraffin treatment can generally be done as often as you want but it is recommended not to have it 24 hours before getting an artificial nail enhancement or maintenance. The reason behind this is because nails swell whenever they are soaked and there is no way the natural oils around the nails can escape if you seal them with a paraffin wax treatment. This will cause the nail enhancement to lift if the wax is applied before the procedure.
Almost the same applies when it comes to applying nail polish. Though you can apply polish after a wax treatment, the color won’t adhere so well because of the layer of moisture left by the treatment. You can clean the nail surface to make sure the polish sticks, but it can undo one of the benefits of a paraffin hand treatment which is to strengthen and moisturize the nails.
How often should you change your paraffin bath?
You can reuse the remaining wax on your tub until about 12 treatments or depending on how clean the wax looks. If you are using it for different parts of the body, it is recommended that you do not switch from dipping your feet first into your hands and elbows since the feet have more bacteria than the other two (given that you sanitized your hands well before getting the treatment). Also, refrain from re-melting solidified wax that you’ve just peeled off because it will have sediments and bacteria from previous use that will mix with your new wax.
Can you DIY a paraffin wax treatment if you do not have a wax machine?
There’s really nothing stopping you from making do with what you have, but it is highly recommended to do a paraffin wax treatment at home using only machines that are designed for the treatment. There are others who use their crockpots or even melt their wax in microwaves, but these types of equipment, though useful in melting, are not exactly designed to melt wax in the right temperature. Save yourself the trouble of dealing with burns, or worse a fire accident by just getting yourself a real paraffin wax warmer.
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