As a kind of wax containing certain oil similar to plain petroleum jelly or Vaseline, paraffin wax has been approved by the American FDA to be used as a food-grade body moisturizing agent. Various beauty products also use paraffin wax as its component for moisturizing purposes. At various salons, spas, and therapeutic services, melted paraffin wax is used for paraffin—or sometimes called wax—bath. The most common body parts receiving the treatments are hands and feet.

Paraffin wax and hands

Paraffin wax is actually not a recent invention. Back in 1950s, health practitioners used this for alleviating their patients’ pain caused by arthritis, while in 1980s, beauty practitioners started to use paraffin wax as a beauty treatment. The nail salons and spas are generally the places wherein paraffin wax treatments are commonly found and offered. The wax is not only used directly to assist hand bath in the salon. It is also added as an additional moisturizer in various beauty products. Manufacturers even started to produce packed paraffin wax, which can be melted for home treatments. In line with this, various paraffin wax bath equipment start to be produced and offered.

What paraffin wax does to your hands?

Spas and salons commonly use specialized instruments for heating paraffin wax, which will be used for hand or foot treatment. Hands or feet are immersed into preheated paraffin wax, so that it is fully covered. This liquefied wax can be placed on any body parts requiring the treatment. There are some benefits paraffin wax may do to your hands, such as:

Gives instant warmth to the hands and palms during winter.

Although many people decide to give paraffin wax treatment a try in order to gain its deep-moisturizing effects, some expect merely its warming effect. During winter, paraffin wax can help relieve stiff fingers and give instant warmth, which is beneficial. Paraffin wax block that is melted in a container at home gives this instant effect perfectly.

Hydrates the skin and thus, softens the hands and palms.

Paraffin wax is a potent moisturizer. Therefore, it helps people with skin disorders that dry the skin out, such as psoriasis and eczema. Although paraffin wax treatment is not recommended while you are still experiencing pain and itching caused by the illness, treating the scales and flakes occurring afterwards with paraffin wax can be considered.

Soften and tenderize cuticle area to prevent hang nails.

Paraffin wax also softens and tenderizes the cuticle area. This is important if you have cuticle area that tends to be over-dried. Dry cuticle may result in hang nails, so that paraffin wax treatment can minimize the risk.

Relieves dryness from repeated hand-washing.

Harsh detergents and soaps you are using for washing your hands may also trigger dry hands and palms. People often experience scaling and flaking as a result of hand dryness due to excessive hand-washing. Immersing the affected hands—and feet in liquefied paraffin wax will give additional moisture to the area, which is essential in reliving this excessive dryness. It will also remove any left detergents and soaps from the skin around the hands, making the area soft and instantly rejuvenated.

Soften callus and corns.

If you have got some hardened skin area around the palms, paraffin wax can be used to soften the area. Its natural oil will nourish the affected are and thus, improve the affected skin. Callus and corns may not disappear within one paraffin wax treatment, but it will eventually soften and disappear after some consecutive treatments.

Promote nail natural shine

Although nails are not living tissues, frequent moisturizing will give beneficial impacts on its natural shine. Perfectly-nourished nails will be avoided from the risk of nail ridges, which is signed by darkened fine lines visible on the nail plate. If left untreated, nail ridges may develop into dented nail area, which is known as Beau’s lines. Paraffin wax can help coating the nails and thus, maintain the moisture on its surface plate, which is essential for healthy nails, cuticle, and the nail bed. The treatment also help getting rid of dirt and stain from nail polishes and other beauty products.