A person's hands and feet work hard and can often suffer from strain and over-exertion, which results in stiffness and muscle tension. For centuries, paraffin has been recognized for its therapeutic and healing properties. Paraffin, and other moist, heated treatments, offer many benefits and are more comfortable than dry heat, which draws out moisture from the body and may leave the skin even more dehydrated.
It is not uncommon for physicians, massage therapists, rehabilitation specialists, and spas to endorse this treatment. Not only is paraffin therapeutic for ailments such as arthritis, carpal tunnel, stiff joints, and muscle spasms, but it is also recommended for soothing and moisturizing the skin, opening pores, and improving circulation.

In ancient times, paraffin therapy was offered in the form of pouring hot wax over the body. Today, paraffin therapy is available in many user-friendly modalities. A paraffin bath protocol consists of the guest slowly immersing their hands or feet into the warm paraffin wax, allowing it to cool and harden, and then peeling the wax off the treated area. In recent years, with sanitation being a primary concern among both professionals and clients, individual treatments can be offered by scooping the wax from the paraffin tub to a plastic bag and then applying it to the client's hands or feet.

Paraffin delivery systems also include naturally self-heating treatments, where the paraffin wax is embedded inside a glove or slipper. Such systems offer quick melt times, total portability, and complete sanitation in the form of medical-grade gloves with a sanitation seal. Whichever modality the professional prefers, paraffin wax will help hydrate their clients' skin by forming an occluse mask. The paraffin draws the body's own moisture to the surface of the skin for deep, natural hydration, leaving the skin incredibly soft and supple.

A common misconception about paraffin wax is that it is not safe or natural, when, in fact, it occurs naturally as a component of crude mineral oils. Petroleum-based waxes, including paraffin, fall under the mineral wax category. Paraffin is derived from ancient plant and animal forms that lived millions of years ago. It is sourced from the ground and then undergoes a multi-step process that provides laboratory-tested hygienic wax.

Paraffin wax is actually used in many applications; for example, it is used to impart the "chew" characteristic of chewing gun. In cosmetics, it is used as a safe base material, providing moisture barrier properties. In dentistry, it is a crucial ingredient for modeling waxes. Medically, it is used for the purpose of embedding tissue samples.

While a paraffin treatment feels like a luxurious spa treatment, this natural emollient is causing some wonderful things to happen within the skin: pores are opened, dead skin is removed, and the appearance of skin is rejuvenated.