Paraffin therapy for hands
Last reviewed: 07.06.2024
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Treatment by local exposure to the temperature of molten paraffin, which has a high heat capacity and heat retention capacity, is called paraffin therapy. Physiotherapeutic local heat therapy includes paraffin therapy for hands. [1]
Indications for the procedure
Heat treatment of hands with paraffin (melting point of which is +50-57 ° C) is carried out:
- for relief of stiffness and joint pain in osteoarthritis wrist, metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints of the hands;
- for muscle strains in the wrist area;
- at dry skin of hands - for its softening and removal of dead skin cells in case of tightness, peeling and itching;
- for better healing hand cracks;
- to soften scars or dry calluses on hands;
- for dry eczema.
This procedure can be performed in a physiotherapy room, in a cosmetic salon (as a skin care procedure), also paraffin therapy for hands at home.
Paraffinotherapy can be not only hot (melted paraffin), but also cold (only as a cosmetic) - with the application of a special ready-made mixture on any type of skin, which can be called paraffin cream, cold bioparaffin, paraffin mask (consists of paraffin, lanolin, various essential oils, vitamins and plant extracts) and before use is softened by the natural heat of the hands. [2]
Hot paraffin therapy: for hands the benefit is in the expansion of blood vessels and strengthening of capillary circulation, which activates metabolic processes at the cellular level and improves tissue trophicity, as well as occlusive moisturizing of the stratum corneum of the epidermis. The volume of paraffin when melting increases (by about 10%), and when cooling to a solid state decreases, which creates a slight compression effect that helps to relieve swelling of soft tissues and improve skin condition.
Cold paraffin therapy: for hands the benefits are cosmetic in nature due to improved blood circulation, skin nourishment, softening and moisturizing. [3]
For example, Marion Spa cream mask for paraffin hand therapy contains vitamins A and E, polyunsaturated fatty acids, almond oil, as well as softening and moisturizing component Super Sterol Liquid.
Cream-mask with liquid paraffin TM Vitex - Vitex paraffin therapy for hands - has in its composition vaseline, lanolin, grape seed oil, extracts of sea buckthorn and bearberry leaves, as well as octadecanoic (stearic) acid and synthetic polymers - cyclic silicones (cyclopentasiloxane, cyclotetrasiloxane) and viscous silicone dimethiconol.
Glycerin, beeswax, grape seed and wheat germ oils, aloe and chamomile extracts contain Aravia hand paraffin cream. [4]
Preparation
The following are required for this procedure:
- paraffin proper (150-200 g);
- paraffin bath for hand paraffin therapy - an electric apparatus for paraffin therapy of hands (they are called paraffin melters), in which paraffin is melted. Although even without such a device it is easy to melt paraffin on a water bath (the main thing is that no water gets into the paraffin);
- gloves for paraffin hand therapy (ordinary disposable polyethylene gloves);
- thermal gloves (warm mittens will do if not available);
- antiseptic or lotion;
- scrub for paraffin hands (any facial scrub can be used);
- nourishing or moisturizing hand cream.
Technique of the hand waxing
How to do paraffin therapy for hands? Here are the steps of this procedure:
- melt the paraffin;
- wash your hands with soap and water and dry them;
- treat the skin with an antiseptic or apply lotion to your hands;
- If the skin is very flaky, apply a scrub to remove horny scales, then remove it with a dry cloth and apply a nourishing hand cream;
- dip your hand in the wax (starting from the fingertips, which should be kept apart) and then take it out of the wax for a few seconds;
- repeat dipping the hand into the melted wax up to 5-6 times, waiting a few seconds between each dip. This will form layers of wax on the skin;
- after the last dip, immediately put a plastic glove on your hand and a thermal glove or mitten on top (you can also wrap your hand with a terry towel);
- keep for 20 minutes, after which all remove (paraffin is easily removed together with a plastic glove) and apply to the skin moisturizing hand cream.
In cold paraffin therapy, the skin is also cleaned, after which the mixture is applied to the hands and put on polyethylene and insulating gloves.
Contraindications to the procedure
Paraffinotherapy for hands is not performed when the integrity of the skin on the hands (cuts, open wounds or burns), in the presence of inflammation and hyperemic rashes (indicative of dermatologic diseases), hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) palms, numbness of the hands, Raynaud's disease, severe arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus. [5]
Pregnant women should not resort to local exposure to the temperature of molten paraffin. [6]
Consequences after the procedure
Possible complications of this procedure can be red rash (especially if the skin is sensitive and there is a tendency to allergic skin reactions), as well as swelling of soft tissues. [7]