Paraffin wax is a white or colorless soft solid. It is made from saturated hydrocarbons.
Because it is colorless, tasteless and odorless, it is commonly used in skin softening salons and spa treatments for hands, cuticle and feet. It can also be used to relieve sore joints and muscles.
Paraffin has many other uses. It is commonly used as a lubricant, electrical insulation and in making candles and crayons.
Read on to learn more about the uses, benefits, and side effects of paraffin.
What are the benefits of paraffin?
Paraffin wax has cosmetic and therapeutic properties.
The Benefits of Cosmetics
In cosmetics, paraffin wax is often applied to the hands and feet. Wax is a natural emollient that helps to soften and soften the skin. When applied to the skin, it increases moisture and continues to increase the moisture content of the skin after treatment is complete.
It can also help open pores and remove dead skin cells. This may help make the skin look fresher and feel smoother.
Therapeutic benefit
Paraffin wax can be used to help relieve hand pain in:
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Rheumatoid arthritis
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Other joint mobility issues
It acts like a form of hyperthermia and can help increase blood flow, relax muscles and reduce joint stiffness. Paraffin wax can also reduce muscle spasms and inflammation and treat sprains.
Are there any side effects?
Paraffin wax is tested in the laboratory to ensure it is safe and hygienic to use on the body. It’s completely natural and has a low melting point, which means it can be easily applied to skin at a low enough temperature without causing burns or blisters.
However, if your skin is very sensitive, paraffin wax may cause heat rash. Prickly heat causes small red bumps on the skin that can be itchy and uncomfortable.
Paraffin should not be used if you have:
Poor circulation
Numbness in hands or feet
diabetes
Any rash or open ulcer
If you have chemical sensitivity, you may experience slight swelling or rupture from the wax treatment. That’s because paraffin wax comes from petroleum products.
If you paraffin your home, be careful not to heat the wax too much as it may catch fire. At the beginning of treatment, the temperature should not exceed 125°F (51.7°C).
