Paraffin Wax Baths

Using a paraffin wax bath is not a new concept.

Utilizing warm wax dates back to the Roman legions, who took advantage of its natural properties for localized pain relief, and sealing the wounds inflicted during battle.

The surgeons would remove the wax to reveal a mildly anaesthetised, dirt-free injury to stitch up.

Current technology has made life easier for people using a paraffin wax bath. It is now a small, electrically heated tub instead of a bubbling cauldron.

The benefits derived from using a paraffin wax bath are

1. Pain relief, specifically targeting Arthritis.

2. Increased blood circulation, essential in the feet of diabetics.

3. Softer or more supple muscles, reducing sports related injury.

4. Using a paraffin wax bath reduces cramping, common to RSI, and muscle soreness due to concentrated effort or overwork.

5. Speeds up recovery after a soft tissue or muscle injury.

And, using a paraffin wax bath has one big side-effect…

6. Smoother, softer, naturally deep-cleansed skin.

There are many that take maximum advantage of this wonderful ‘side-effect’.

The beauty industry capitalises on the fact that using a paraffin wax bath makes the skin soft, pliable, supple and stronger.

Less wrinkles and younger looking skin is an attribute sought by men as well as ladies.

Mechanics and Engineers can get the ingrained grease from their fingerprints.

Bricklayers and concrete workers no longer need to suffer dry, cracked skin on their hands.

Podiatrists, manicure and pedicure professionals, and a vast array of other occupations can benefit from using a paraffin wax bath.

It is important to note that, contrary to popular belief, it is not the wax that has the healing properties.

The magic behind using a paraffin wax bath is the latent heat of the wax being transferred to a localised area of your body, activating your own stream of pain relievers… endorphins, which are attracted to that small area that is above normal body temperature.

The wax bath’s purpose is to heat the wax, and then maintain it at a temperature around 12 degrees above body heat.

A hand or foot is then dipped repeatedly, normally 6 to 8 times, into the warm wax to create a glove or a sock. A premium quality wax is required here, to provide a semi flexible coating. Cheaper variants of wax tend to be brittle, and are prone to crack, releasing the heat.

For best results, a good skin cream, or light oil, is applied before using a paraffin wax bath because

a. The wax tends not to stick to body hair, and

b. The benefit is greater as the effect lasts longer.

To enhance the results further, a few drops of appropriate essential oils may be added to the cream before dipping.

The outcome of using a paraffin wax bath will depend on how often you use it. A severe Arthritis sufferer may ‘dunk’ three or four times a day or a diabetic, twice a week.

There is no such thing as using a paraffin wax bath too much. You can’t OD on endorphins, your body’s own healing ability and pain relief!

And not many people complain about the soft, supple, younger looking skin; that luxurious side effect of using a paraffin wax bath.