Pamper with Paraffin - Treat Dry Skin at Home

Paraffin wax treatments are soothing to the skin. If you are suffering from dry winter hands that tend to crack or feel irritated from dry weather or frequent hand washing, a paraffin bath might be just what you need.

There are several models available, some small enough to just fit a hand, others larger to accommodate feet and elbows. Look for a unit that will fit your skin-care needs.

The reason that paraffin is so soothing to the skin is because the wax is mixed with mineral oil. The heated seal that the wax creates allows the oil to penetrate the skin for the softest effects. Oils come in a variety of scents to enhance your at-home spa experience.

1. Wash and dry hands thoroughly. (Removing jewlery is a good idea - it's hard to pick the wax out of rings.)

2. Be sure the temperature of the bath is correct. Read the manufacturers instructions. (A meat thermometer can help verify the temperature - make sure the thermometer doesn't touch the bottom or sides of the unit while testing.)

3. Insert your hand into the bath and lift back out - allow the wax to drip dry for a moment. Don't wait too long - the goal is to build up heat, and the longer it cools the less heat you will have. DO NOT SOAK YOU HAND IN PARAFFIN!

4. Dip about 6-7 times, building up a thick waxy coat. Be sure to keep your hand still so as not to break the seal. The wax should be uniform, smooth and crack-free when you are finished.

5. Cover your hand with a plastic bag - most units come with them.

6. Cover the bag with a towel or blanket. The more insulation, the longer the heating effect will last.
7. In about 20 minutes you will notice that it has cooled significantly - simply use the bag to peel off the wax, as if removing a glove from the inside out. Your wax is in the bag - now discard.

You can recycle the wax and place it back in the bath to melt and reuse, but it will place some of your old skin cells in the wax and it will become dingy and with sediment before long. Replacement blocks of wax can be easily purchased.

• Most units take a few hours to melt the wax. If you know you want to treat yourself to a paraffin dip one evening, plug it in that morning so it can melt and heat evenly.
• If you are planning to do both hands at one time, you might want to ask someone to help you wrap up the second hand.
• If you are going to place it on the floor to dip your feet, be very careful! It might be best to place it on the floor cold and then plug it in.

HoMedics makes a variey of sizes, some small enough just for hands and others large enough for feet. The TherabathPRO is usually what therapy clinics use, along with spas. It's a little more narrow, but deeper than most units. Hand mitts are nice to seal in the heat after the plastic is applied - the mitts are easier to handle than a towel.