Paraffin Treatment – a Procedure That Regenerates and Intensively Hydrates the Skin

Paraffin treatments, also known as paraffin wraps, are very popular in beauty salons. A lot of women and men who always want to have smooth, soft, and hydrated skin regularly undergo this treatment. Why is it so popular, and is paraffin for hands and feet suitable for everyone? We shall find out this in the next part. Additionally, we shall provide you the guidelines on how to perform a paraffin treatment at home.

Although paraffin treatments have recently become a trend in the viral world and on social media, they are not a novelty in the world of cosmetics and professional skin care procedures. The treatment is typically used to provide extra hydration to the skin on the hands and feet, and more recently, paraffin face treatments are gaining popularity. The reason is simple – the results are immediately visible, and the products used are easily accessible for home use. Increasingly, beauty salons offer special packages for paraffin hand treatments alongside regular manicures or nail extensions.

What is a Paraffin Wrap

A paraffin wrap is a popular name for a paraffin treatment used for various purposes, primarily for skin hydration and regeneration. With that aim, warm paraffin enriched with essential oils is used. It has the ability to soften the skin, retain moisture, and prevent drying out. What is more, this paraffin is rich in vitamin E, which has protective and restorative effects on the skin.

The secret to the effectiveness of paraffin treatments is evident. Thanks to the heat, the pores in the skin open, allowing the nourishing ingredients to penetrate below the surface. The skin becomes flawlessly smooth, soft, and tender, with a longer-lasting effect compared to applying regular hand cream.

Key Benefits of Paraffin Treatments            

• Unlike creams, masks, and other hydration products, paraffin acts on the deeper layers of the skin, achieving an intensive moisturization effect.
• Immediately after the treatment, the skin is visibly softer, smoother, and more elastic, without rough, dry, or coarse areas.
• Paraffin protects the skin from harmful external factors, creating a protective barrier that prevents dryness.
• It promotes the healing of minor skin injuries and reduces the “cracking” of dry skin.
• It softens thickened skin, calluses, and similar changes, making them easier to remove.
• It positively affects nail strengthening, leaving a thin protective layer on the nail surface.
• Warm paraffin stimulates circulation, contributing to overall health improvement.
• The treatment has a relaxing effect on the entire body, as the warmth relaxes muscles and the fragrant essential oils provide a soothing experience.
• It positively affects the reduction of joint inflammation and rheumatism.
• With regular use, it reduces the visibility of pigmentation spots and restores damaged skin cells.

Paraffin Hand Wrap – Step-by-Step Procedure

Although it may seem complicated, a paraffin treatment is actually a very simple process and one of the more pleasant cosmetic treatments. To begin with, it is essential to know that you need the appropriate materials, tools, and equipment:

1. Solid paraffin enriched with fragrant essential oils, which needs to be melted or heated to the appropriate temperature.
2. Plastic covers or bags to place over the paraffin on your hands.
3. Terry gloves or covers to wear over the plastic bags to maintain the warmth of the paraffin.
4. A paraffin heater, which is essential for melting solid paraffin into a liquid form in which you immerse your hands.
5. If needed, a brush can be used for the precise application of paraffin to specific areas (e.g., between fingers, on the top of the hand that was not dipped into the paraffin, etc.).

A paraffin heater with 230 W Power is designed for heating paraffin to a maximum of 55 °C. This heater features an aluminum container and a grid for sediment separation, as well as a brush for precise paraffin application.	Lavender-scented paraffin is enriched with olive oil and apricot kernel oil. This paraffin deeply hydrates the skin and provides a soothing effect. It heats quickly and melts at the appropriate temperature in the heater.	A paraffin heater with 360 W power is capable of melting paraffin at a maximum temperature of 65 °C. This heater includes an aluminum container, a grid for sediment separation and a brush for precise paraffin application.

How to Perform a Paraffin Treatment                    

Below, we shall explain the complete procedure for a paraffin hand wrap. The same process applies to a paraffin foot treatment.

Our recommendation is to have your first treatment done in a salon to observe how professionals perform it and, most importantly, to check whether a paraffin treatment suits you. After that, you can embark on the adventure of performing paraffin treatments at home. Obtain the necessary tools, a paraffin heater, and paraffin, and always pay attention to the paraffin temperature during heating.

Step-by-Step Paraffin Treatment Procedure 

• The first step, both in professional and home treatments, is disinfecting your hands. Before starting the treatment, thoroughly clean your hands and dry them well. For even better results, experienced cosmeticians recommend exfoliating your hands first to remove dead skin cells. Only then should you dip your hands in paraffin (one hand at a time).
•  Slightly spread your fingers and immerse your hand in the heated paraffin in the heater for a few seconds, then gently remove it. Wait for 2-3 seconds for the paraffin to “set” on your hand, then repeat the dipping process in the same way. If necessary (for extremely dry hands), you can repeat this step 2-3 more times. After dipping, your hand will appear as if it is coated in wax. If the paraffin does not cover the entire surface of your skin, use a brush to apply warm paraffin to those areas (immediately after the first or subsequent dips).

Photo: Freepik

• After coating your hand in paraffin, place a plastic bag or cover over it to create a sauna effect, which enhances the absorption of nutrients. Additionally, these covers protect the terry cloth gloves from staining and make it easier to remove the paraffin later.
• Over the plastic cover, place the terry cloth glove, which helps retain heat and boosts the overall effectiveness of the treatment.
• Keep your hands “wrapped” in paraffin for about 30 minutes.
• Remove the terry glove, followed by the plastic cover, and peel off the dried paraffin from your hand. That’s it! If any traces of paraffin remain on the skin, gently remove them.
• Essential oils that may stay on the skin’s surface should be lightly massaged in.

Additional Tip

Classic aesthetic manicures are often not enough to keep hands fully nourished. From time to time, it is essential to perform a paraffin hand wrap. This treatment can be done year-round, but the ideal time to start is with the first cold days (as autumn and winter bring additional dryness and cracking to the skin).

This treatment can be done as needed, depending on the condition of the skin. To maintain well-groomed hands, cosmeticians recommend doing the treatment once a week. For more intensive and lasting results, it is advised to repeat about 10 treatments consecutively.

Have you ever tried a paraffin wrap? What was your experience like? Share your thoughts with us, and if you have any questions on this topic, feel free to leave them in the comments.