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Paraffin Wax Bath

The quick and easy way to soft, smooth, sandal ready feet.

Paraffin wax has been used for many years, its is an effective
medium for heat transfer to the skin and joints. The use of warm
paraffin wax on the hands and feet has a very soothing and
therapeutic effect. The warm paraffin wax applied to the skin makes
the blood vessels expand and therefore helps the circulation,
bringing healing nutrients to the surface and flushing toxins out of
the skin.
The overall effect of a paraffin wax bath is softer, firmer skin which
is more hydrated.

This is a particularly good treatment for anyone with dry or rough

skin. It can be used as a treatment on the hands (or feet) can ease
painful joints for ARTH-ITIS suffers or for those with bad circulation.

Hands or feet are prepared with a sterilizing solution and then and
then massaged with the moisturizing treatment cream of your
choice (the range includes, Organic with Grapeseed and Aloe Vera,
Organic Spearmint, Organic with Russian Rose and Lavender,
Peppermint, Almond and Sandalwood, Aloe Vera, Evening
Primrose...).

Once this has been massaged into your hands (and or feet) they are
briefly immersed in a warm wax solution. Once the wax has set the
hands or feet are reimersed a further two or three times and then
wrapped in warm boots / gloves to retain the heat. For the next 10
minutes you relax enjoying the warmth of the wax and boots /
gloves. The wax is then removed revealing soft, smooth and
refreshed skin.

Introduction

Paraffin wax bath therapy is an application of the molten paraffin

wax on the body part. The temperature of the paraffin wax is
maintaining at 40-44°c, where as its melting point is 51-55°c. If the
molten wax at 51-55°c is poured on the body part, its may cause burn
over the body tissue, which is why some impurity is added to lowered
down its melting point such as liquid paraffin or mineral oil. Paraffin
wax bath therapy provide about the 6 times the amount of heat
available in water bcozs the mineral oil in the paraffin lowers its
melting point. The combination of the paraffin and the mineral oil has
low specific heat which enhances the patient’s ability to tolerate heat
from the paraffin better then from the water of the same temperature.
The composition of the wax: paraffin: petroleum jelly is 7:3:1 or wax:
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paraffin: or mineral oil is 7:1. The mode of the transmission of heat

from paraffin to the patient skin is by means conduction.

Paraffin Bath unit

Parts of a typical paraffin wax bath unit are container, mains,

thermostat, thermostat pilot lamp, power pilot lamp, lid, and caster.

• Container is made-up of enamelled baths or stainless steel bowl

and outer fiberglass shell.
• Initially heating is quicker with this type because there is no
water jacket to be heated.
• Container contains wax and paraffin oil. Main function is to switch
on or off the heating element, which is located in the casing of
paraffin wax bath unit.
• Thermostat keeps the temperature fix or static in the range
which is adjusted with knob thermostat pilot’s lamp indicates
whether thermostat is on or off.
• Power pilot’s lamp function is to show whether power is on or off.
• Lid cover container and caster allow the paraffin wax bath
container to be move from 1 place to another.

Preparation of patient:
• The nature of wax treatment is explained and the area to be
treated is inspected for contraindication.
• Look for any wound, skin infection, rashes etc. on the part to
be treated.
• Cleaned the skin using tissue paper or cotton.
• Tell the patient in brief about temperature of the wax and
benefits
• Drip down few drops of molten wax on the dorsal surface of
your hand to check the temperature.
• This is done before; the patient so that he/she can prepare
psychologically and fear of heat is minimized.
• After the above step the patient is always found to cooperate
and fear of molten wax and heat is remove from the mind.

Methods:
• The part to be treated must be cleaned by soap and
moisture to be soaked by towel.
• Position of the patient should be such that the part to be
treated comes closer to the wax bath container.
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• Before application one must ensure that there should be no

moisture on the body tissues otherwise burn could occur.
• The warm wax is placed on the body tissues by various
techniques and the treatment is given for about 10-20
minutes.

Techniques of application:
Various techniques used for the application of
paraffin wax are as fallows:

1. Direct pouring method:

• The molten Wax is directly poured by a mug or utensil on
the part to be treated and then wrapped around by a
towel.
• The wax is allowed to solidify for about 10-20 minutes.
Several (4-6) layers can be made over the body tissues.

2. Brushing method:
• It is a less commonly used method of paraffin wax
application.
• in this method, 8-10 coats of wax are applied to the
area with a paint brush using even and rapid strokes
• The area is then wrapped with towel for 10-20 minutes
and after this time, paraffin wax is removed and
discarded

3. Immersion method:
• This method of application provides some what vigorous
heating.
• The body part to be treated dipped 3-4 time to form a thin
coat and then left immersed in paraffin wax for 20-30
minutes
• A thin glove of solid paraffin wax formed slows the heat
conduction
• Use of immersion method required co-operation and
tolerance by the patient in a dependent position
• Care should be taken to ensure that the patient is in
comfortable position during the treatment
• With immersion method, the temperature elevation of body
tissue is 2°c higher then dipping method
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4. Dipping method:

• It provides mild heating.

• The patient should wash and dry the part to be treated.
• The therapists instruct the patient to dip the body part in a
bath and then removed it until the paraffin solidifies and thin
layer of adherent solid paraffin is formed which covers the
skin.
• Dipping is repeated until a thick coat is formed.
• In other words, at least 8-12 times until thick glow on a part.
• Once thick glow of wax is formed the treated area should be
wrapped 1st in a plastic and then wrapped with a towel.
• If edema is concerned then area may be elevated.
• The effective duration of this treatment is 10-15 minutes.
• At the end of this treatment time the glow of solid of peeled
off or removed by slipping the finger beneath the glow and
sliding the wax off and into the plastic sack, which cover it
during the treatment
• The sack is then discarded or the wax is emptied in the bath
unit.

5. Toweling or bandaging method:

• A towel or a roll of bandage is immersed in molten paraffin

wax and then wrapped around the body part.
• Several layers can be made over the body part.
• This method is preferably used for treating proximal parts
of the body.

Once the treatment is given by paraffin wax, it can be reused for

the next session. Regular cleaning or changing of the wax is
necessary to ensure good hygiene.

Physiological response
1. Heat production:

• There is a marked increase in skin temperature in the 1st

two minute, up to 12-13°c.
• This drop, while in the wax wrapping to an increase of
about 8°c at the end of 30 minutes.
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• In the subcutaneous fascia, there is an increase of 5°c at

the end of the treatment.
• In the superficial muscles, then in only about 2-3°c rise
in temperature at the end of the treatment

2. Circulating effect:

• Stimulation of superficial capillaries an arterioles cause

local hyperemia and reflex vasodilatation.
• This is marked only in the region of the skin.
• The hyperemia is due to response of the skin to its
function of heat regulation.
• The effects of vasodilatation in the muscle are
negligible, but then may be some reflex heating in the
joints.
• Skin and subcutaneous tissue temperature drop after
15-20 minute, reducing the vasodilatation
• Exercise after the wax is essential to increase the
muscle circulation and sedative effect of heat to obtain
more range of movement and muscle strength.

3. Analgesic effect:

• The most important effect of wax its marked sedative

effect on the tissue.
• The moist heat is remarkable soothing to the patient.
• It is this effect that is used prior to the exercise, in the
treatment of superficially placed joints.
• It is very comfortable to the patient.

4. Stretching effect:

• Wax leaves the skin moist, soft and pliable.

• This is useful for stretching scar and adhesion before
applying mobilization techniques.

Indications
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1. Pain and Muscle Spasm: Wax reduces the pain and

muscle spasm seen in hands and feet, as the moist heat
encircles each finger and toe, and relieves pain.

2. Edema and Inflammation: The gentle heat reduces

post-traumatic swelling of the hands and feet and also swelling
in hands affected by rheumatoid arthritis or degenerative joint
disease, particularly in the sub-acute and early chronic stages of
inflammation.

3. Adhesions and Scars: Wax softens the adhesion and scar

in the skin and thus facilitates the mobilization and stretching
procedures.

Contra-indications

1. Impaired skin sensation: This will be determined by a

hot/cold skin test.

2. Some Dermatological conditions are exacerbated by

moist heat, such as eczema, athlete’s foot and dermatitis. Any
dermatological condition, which appears after treatment, must
be reported.

3. Circulatory Dysfunction: Patients with varicose veins,

deep vein thrombosis and arterial disease must not have any
heat applied directly over the affected part.

4. Analgesic Drugs: If patients are taking strong narcotics for

pain, the time and dosage of the drugs must be ascertained.
Heat is not administered immediately after intake of drugs,
since pain tolerance to heat is impaired.

5. Infections and open wounds: Heat will increase the

infective activity.

6. Cancer or tuberculosis: In the area to be treated, heat,

by increasing the metabolic rate, may increase the rate of
growth and spread the disease.
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7. Gross edema: With a very thin and delicate skin covering

the area, the skin may be damaged and the heat may tend to
increase the edema.

8. Lack of comprehension: patients who cannot

understand the nature of the treatment and comprehend the
potential danger, for example, children, very old patients, other
nationalities.

9. Deep X-ray Therapy: Within three months prior to

treatment decrease blood flow in the area and may cause
impaired skin sensation.

Advantages of Paraffin wax

1. Low specific heat allows for application at a higher temperature

than water without the risk of a burn.

2. Low thermal conductivity allows for heating of tissues to occur

more slowly, thus reducing the risk of overheating the tissues.

3. Molten state allows for even distribution of heat to areas like

finger and toes.

4. First dip traps air and moisture to create more even heat
distribution.

5. Oils used in the wax add moisture to the skin.

6. Wax remains malleable, after removal, allowing for use as an

exercise tools.

7. Comfortable, moist heat.

8. Relative inexpensive to replace wax.
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Disadvantages of paraffin wax

1. Effective only for distal extremities in the terms of ease of

application.

2. Most effective method of application is the bath method, which

limit accessibility for other body part to be treated effectively.

3. No method of temperature controls once applied.

4. Heating last only about 20 minutes.

5. It is a passive treatment: exercise may not be performed

simultaneously.

Maintenance of Paraffin Wax Bath unit

Sterile the paraffin wax bath by heating it to 212°
Fahrenheit. For reuse sterilization should be done frequently. Drain the
melted paraffin wax, filter it out and replace it back for reuse. Change
the wax at least once in 6 month.