Paraffin or Paraffin Baths for Therapeutic Purposes

Paraffin is an oily-looking white substance, in the form of wax, which is obtained from petroleum distillation and therefore is a hydrocarbon. Physical characteristics include malleability, thermal conductivity and melting point. It is widely used as a means of generating heat by conduction.

 

The wax has a melting point at sea level of 53 ° C, the temperature at which it is used for therapeutic purposes. At this temperature paraffin becomes liquid and has thermal action that loses heat by conduction.

 

Being a hydrocarbon, and therefore a combustible material, paraffin should never be placed in direct contact with fire or any source of thermal energy.

A small amount of liquid paraffin, when exposed to air, immediately solidifies but retains heat for some time (i.e., fusion heat) and also becomes a kind of insulation. This is the property used for therapeutic applications.

 

There are various application procedures. The most widely used, provided that the shape of the body area to be treated permits (e.g., feet or hands), is immersion.

 

 

The area is immersed in warm paraffin for 1 or 2 seconds and removed. Immediately the paraffin begins to solidify, forming a thin film. This film protects and isolates the thermal action of other immersions. After a few seconds, the area is immersed again in liquid paraffin for 2 or 3 seconds and removed. The process is repeated for 8 or 10 times, until it forms a thick layer of several layers. It then is immediately covered with a plastic bag and wrapped up in towels to prevent heat loss.

 

After 15 to 20 minutes, the wax does not produce thermal energy and treatment ends. Wraps are removed and the paraffin glove or boot can be removed. The paraffin is then returned to the container with the rest of paraffin, and can be reused many times.

For this form of application, a (paint) brush is used. The brush is submerged in liquid paraffin and then passed over the area to be treated, waiting a few seconds for it to solidify. Several layers of wax are applied and then the area is covered, first with plastic and then with towels or wool cloth. This application is recommended for treating knees, shoulders, the back, etc.

Surgical towels (i.e., thick and porous cloth) or gauze are also used, which are soaked in liquid paraffin and then are applied to the body in four or five layers. While this form is simple to implement, it is difficult to recycle the paraffin. To do this, once the application has been completed, the compress is submerged again in liquid paraffin until the paraffin in the compress melts. The cloth is then wrung to remove as much paraffin as possible, although a small amount will remain.

An alternative way of applying paraffin is to "whip" it with a ladle while it is in liquid form. Doing so creates a kind of foam (if it is too hot, creating the foam will take longer). When the appropriate amount has been created, this foam is carried by hand to the treatment area and is applied to form a thick coating, eventually covering the area as described above. This technique is generally used when you want to cover the entire length of the limbs or back.

 

For aesthetic purposes, paraffin can be applied as oil or as an active ingredient in creams. In such cases, it has a consistency similar to Vaseline. In liquid form, paraffin is used in reducing treatments:

 

Paraffin helps stimulate the circulation when it is applied to an area and accompanied by massage. It adds warmth when used with thermal blankets, and thus promotes the sweating which drains toxins. This treatment is ideal for hips and legs, which tend to accumulate fat deposits more easily, but can also be done throughout the body (except the face).

 

After the vasodilatation created by the wax and heat, everything is removed and cold is applied to initiate the vasoconstriction. This second step will allow the skin to hydrate by absorbing the liquid was expelled. In this stage, creams with active reducers are applied to further stimulate the results. Each session lasts for an hour.

 

The other cosmetic application for paraffin is smoothing and moisturizing the skin. In these cases, it is applied hot. This creates moisture that rises from the lower layers of the skin. The moisture is trapped beneath the paraffin so that it hydrates all layers as it returns into the skin.

 

These treatments should not be made on the face, which should only be touched by a specialist. Because the market already has special devices that heat the wax at the right temperature (or a double boiler can always be used), the treatments can be tried at home. If you decide to take this route, the area must first be thoroughly cleaned and moisture applied. Then, the area can be slowly immersed in paraffin or it can be applied with a brush. Three or four layers are needed.

 

Cover the area with a plastic bag and towels to keep it warm. Wait until it feels cool, then uncover. Notice how very soft the skin is now.

There is a belief that oil and kerosene are particularly beneficial for rheumatic diseases. Paraffin, being a hydrocarbon derivative, should have similar properties. These beliefs, however, are not supported by scientific evidence.

 

The physiological effects of paraffin are the same as for other forms of superficial or exogenous heat. Inducing profuse cutaneous vasodilation and intense sweating, these reactions have edema-reducing action through their influence on the hemolymphatic circulation. Further, the various layers of wax exert a constrictive pressure similar to that of a bandage. For these very effects, paraffin is used in the treatment of peripheral vascular disorders, especially of the post-traumatic type.