Though it is used to make candles or waxed paper, paraffin wax can be used to make hands soft and relax muscles. Learn more about the paraffin hand treatment.

Paraffin Hand Treatment

Hands are one of the neglected body parts of our usual beauty regime. We give importance to our face, eyes, lips, even eyebrows, but not hands. It's generally believed that hands are meant for hard work and are not to be pampered. True, hard work is essential, but that doesn't mean that we should not take care of our hands, once in a while. Beautiful, smooth and supple hands not only add to overall beauty but are also an indicator of general health and hygeine. Constant neglect and pollution do take their toll on hands. As a result our hands often become rough and flaky, losing all their moisture. We need to take care of our hands and one such way is to give them a paraffin treatment. Find more information on paraffin hand treatment.  
Image: Wireless-Town@flickr

Treating Hand With Paraffin Wax 

What Is Paraffin Wax
Paraffin is the common name given to compounds that belong to the alkane hydrocarbon family and is mostly found as a white, odorless, tasteless, waxy solid, with a very low melting point, somewhere between 470C and 630C. It also has the capacity to hold on to heat for a very long time and transfer it slowly on to another object. It is mostly used for making candles, waxed paper, as the coating material while making candy and it is often used on fruits like apples, and vegetables like capsicum to give them a shiny and attractive look.
 
Why Paraffin Wax For The Hands?
One marked property of paraffin wax is that it is capable of holding on to heat for a long time. It uses the property to improve the blood circulation in the hands – both the muscles and the skin – to improve the skin tone and relax tired and tense muscles. When hands are placed inside a bath of paraffin wax and taken out, the wax turns solid and begins to transfer heat to the hands, rehydrating and moisturizing them. It also opens up the pores on the skin and helps to treat aches and stiffness on the part of the body where it is used on. Paraffin hand and nail treatment has proven to be effective for healing stiffness in the joints and pain caused by arthritis, osteoarthritis and bursitis. It can relax a tired hand, and is particularly suitable for hands with extremely flaky and dry skin. Even individuals with skin conditions like, eczema can benefit immensely from paraffin hand treatment. 

How To Do The Paraffin Hand Treatment
Here’s the procedure for treating your hands to a paraffin treatment all by yourself: 

  • Wash your hands thoroughly with a mild soap and wipe them dry with a soft towel that does not leave behind lint.
  • Take a double boiler and fill its bottom half with water till it is three quarters full. Grease the inner part of the container on top with vegetable oil and place about two blocks of food grade paraffin wax into it and let it melt.
  • If you want to, you could also add a few drops of your favourite essential oils or aromatherapy oils for the added benefit.
  • Grease another plastic container with vegetable oil and, when the wax melts, transfer it into this container.
  • Massage your hands with olive oil or almond oil, making sure to apply it between fingers too, and test the temperature of the wax when a thin skin begins to form on top. When it is comfortably hot, dip your hands inside slowly till they are totally submerged.
  • After a few seconds, take your hands out and let a layer form on top of your hand. Let it dry completely, that is till the time it solidifies and the sheen on top of your hand fades.
  • Dip again and repeat the procedure at least five to seven times till many layers of paraffin wax are formed on your hand.
  • After you have accumulated a number of layers of dry paraffin, wear insulated mittens for ten minutes or so.
  • After about ten to fifteen minutes remove your hands from the mittens, remove all the wax slowly with a soft towel, and transfer it back to the double boiler.
  • Moisturize your hands with the moisturizer that you normally use.

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