Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesSafetyHome TreatmentWhere Does It Come From?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Safety
Home Treatment
Where Does It Come From?
Paraffin wax is a soft wax with a low melting point. It is versatile, with uses spanning fromcosmeticto industrial to therapeutic. One of the most common ways of using paraffin wax is as a treatment to relievestiffnessor soreness in hands and feet.
Paraffin wax is made from petroleum and is generally considered safe.
This article will discuss the different paraffin wax uses and safety. It will also cover how to use paraffin wax for dipping.
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Different Paraffin Wax Uses
Paraffin wax is a soft wax popular for its many applications. It can be used at home or as a treatment in a salon to ease stiffness andmoisturize the skin. It also is an ingredient in candles, waxed paper, and much more.
How Is Synthetic Paraffin Wax Different?Synthetic paraffin wax is white and much harder than petroleum paraffin wax. It can be used as a vegetable wax and, when modified, is used as a floor wax, a tanning agent for leather, as a waterproofing material for paper, and as a rust preventive.
How Is Synthetic Paraffin Wax Different?
Synthetic paraffin wax is white and much harder than petroleum paraffin wax. It can be used as a vegetable wax and, when modified, is used as a floor wax, a tanning agent for leather, as a waterproofing material for paper, and as a rust preventive.
On Hands and Feet
One of the most commonly known uses of paraffin is as a dip for the hands and feet. Thewarmth from the waxcan help relievesoreness, stiffness, and improve circulation. A 2020 study found that paraffin wax therapy significantly decreased muscle and tendon stiffness.
The warmth from paraffin wax may temporarily help relieve joint pain, stiffness, and other symptoms of arthritis.
Research has revealed several benefits of paraffin wax. In studies, it improved hand contractures (a thickening and tightening of the skin that prevents movement) in people with serious burns,improved joint mobilization in people who had stiff ankles,and reduced passive stiffness in the calf muscle and Achilles tendon.
Moisturizer
When paraffin wax is melted, it can be used as a bath in which to dip hands or feet to add moisture and softness to theskin.
Paraffin wax is a type of occlusivemoisturizer. This means it forms a barrier to prevent water loss from the skin. The barrier allows water content to be restored deep within the skin.
Industrial
The industrial uses for paraffin wax are numerous. It is used in cosmetics, to preserve food, as a main ingredient in candles, to make waxed paper, for electrical insulators, and in polishes.
Paraffin wax also can extract perfume from flowers, be a base forointments, and act as a waterproof coating for various materials.
Paraffin Wax Safety: What’s Good or Bad?
Paraffin wax is generally considered a safe substance to use. However, there are circumstances in which it should not be used or it can cause injury.
Always test the temperature before submerging the skin to ensure it does not cause aburn. The temperature should be around 125 degrees F.Avoid using a paraffin wax bath if you have open skin sores ornumbness.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), paraffin wax fumes, which are odorless, are highly flammable. Inhaling the fumes can cause respiratory irritation, nausea, and discomfort.
At-Home Paraffin Wax Treatment
Paraffin wax treatments can be done in a salon or at home. It’s important to ensure the wax isn’t too hot and that you follow the instructions on the kit.
Where Paraffin Wax Comes From
Paraffin wax is made from petroleum.It was first produced commercially in 1867 and has since been modified to allow for additional steps in purifying the wax.
Paraffin wax can be purchased in stores and online. Some products contain additives, so look at all the ingredients when buying.
Summary
Paraffin wax is a popular product used for dipping hands and feet to relieve pain, stiffness, and soreness. People with arthritis or other conditions may find relief from paraffin wax treatments. These treatments can be done in a salon or in the comfort of your own home. Paraffin wax is generally considered a safe treatment as long as it is done properly.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Britannica.Paraffin wax.Li YP, Feng YN, Liu CL, Zhang ZJ.Paraffin therapy induces a decrease in the passive stiffness of gastrocnemius muscle belly and Achilles tendon: A randomized controlled trial.Medicine. 2020;99(12):e19519. doi10.1097/MD.0000000000019519Arthritis Foundation.Heat therapy helps relax stiff joints.Riaz HM, Ashraf Cheema S.Paraffin wax bath therapy versus therapeutic ultrasound in management of post burn contractures of small joints of hand.Int J Burns Trauma. 2021;11(3):245-250.Rashid S, Salick K, Kashif M, Ahmad A, Sarwar K.To evaluate the efficacy of mobilization techniques in post-traumatic stiff ankle with and without paraffin wax bath.Pak J Med Sci. 2013;29(6). doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000019519StatPearls.Moisturizers.Alberta Health.Paraffin wax for arthritis.American Society of Surgery of the Hand.What is paraffin wax?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Paraffin wax fume.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Britannica.Paraffin wax.Li YP, Feng YN, Liu CL, Zhang ZJ.Paraffin therapy induces a decrease in the passive stiffness of gastrocnemius muscle belly and Achilles tendon: A randomized controlled trial.Medicine. 2020;99(12):e19519. doi10.1097/MD.0000000000019519Arthritis Foundation.Heat therapy helps relax stiff joints.Riaz HM, Ashraf Cheema S.Paraffin wax bath therapy versus therapeutic ultrasound in management of post burn contractures of small joints of hand.Int J Burns Trauma. 2021;11(3):245-250.Rashid S, Salick K, Kashif M, Ahmad A, Sarwar K.To evaluate the efficacy of mobilization techniques in post-traumatic stiff ankle with and without paraffin wax bath.Pak J Med Sci. 2013;29(6). doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000019519StatPearls.Moisturizers.Alberta Health.Paraffin wax for arthritis.American Society of Surgery of the Hand.What is paraffin wax?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Paraffin wax fume.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Britannica.Paraffin wax.Li YP, Feng YN, Liu CL, Zhang ZJ.Paraffin therapy induces a decrease in the passive stiffness of gastrocnemius muscle belly and Achilles tendon: A randomized controlled trial.Medicine. 2020;99(12):e19519. doi10.1097/MD.0000000000019519Arthritis Foundation.Heat therapy helps relax stiff joints.Riaz HM, Ashraf Cheema S.Paraffin wax bath therapy versus therapeutic ultrasound in management of post burn contractures of small joints of hand.Int J Burns Trauma. 2021;11(3):245-250.Rashid S, Salick K, Kashif M, Ahmad A, Sarwar K.To evaluate the efficacy of mobilization techniques in post-traumatic stiff ankle with and without paraffin wax bath.Pak J Med Sci. 2013;29(6). doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000019519StatPearls.Moisturizers.Alberta Health.Paraffin wax for arthritis.American Society of Surgery of the Hand.What is paraffin wax?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Paraffin wax fume.
Britannica.Paraffin wax.
Li YP, Feng YN, Liu CL, Zhang ZJ.Paraffin therapy induces a decrease in the passive stiffness of gastrocnemius muscle belly and Achilles tendon: A randomized controlled trial.Medicine. 2020;99(12):e19519. doi10.1097/MD.0000000000019519
Arthritis Foundation.Heat therapy helps relax stiff joints.
Riaz HM, Ashraf Cheema S.Paraffin wax bath therapy versus therapeutic ultrasound in management of post burn contractures of small joints of hand.Int J Burns Trauma. 2021;11(3):245-250.
Rashid S, Salick K, Kashif M, Ahmad A, Sarwar K.To evaluate the efficacy of mobilization techniques in post-traumatic stiff ankle with and without paraffin wax bath.Pak J Med Sci. 2013;29(6). doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000019519
StatPearls.Moisturizers.
Alberta Health.Paraffin wax for arthritis.
American Society of Surgery of the Hand.What is paraffin wax?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Paraffin wax fume.
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