When it comes to beauty and he alth, hand care is not bypassed. There are many ways to do this, one of the most relevant is paraffin therapy, which helps to moisturize and rejuvenate the epidermis. And also paraffin baths for hands and feet contribute to the healing of cracks and wounds. This procedure can be carried out not only in beauty salons, but also independently, and the result will be no worse. But how to do it correctly, we will consider in this article.
Properties of paraffin
The use of paraffin in cosmetology began back in the distant eighties, and over the years it has only gained popularity among the fair sex. And there is nothing strange here, since, according to reviews, paraffin baths have a large number of properties that are beneficialaffect the skin:
- The skin becomes velvety after the procedures.
- In the shortest possible time, peeling of the epidermis and microcracks pass, and the work of the sebaceous glands is also getting better.
- Cells improve metabolic processes.
- Paraffin baths help restore water balance.
- The pores expand.
To whom the procedure is contraindicated
Before mastering paraffin therapy, you should familiarize yourself with the contraindications:
- Hypertensive paraffin baths at home should be done with caution.
- The procedure is not recommended for people with diabetes.
- You should not do a paraffin hand bath if the epidermis is very dry.
- Frequent use is not recommended for skin lesions (scratches, cuts, purulent inflammation).
- Pregnant girls should not be treated.
Types of paraffin
Paraffin is an insoluble product that is colorless, odorless and tasteless. They divide it into two types - hot and cold.
All types of paraffin have the same properties, namely, they activate perspiration and help open pores. The film on the epidermis (which is formed during the procedure) perfectly retains moisture and improves blood flow.
Which paraffin is suitable?
Some mistakenly think that the procedure uses paraffin, which is used to make candles. It is important to know that this type is not suitable, as it can leave burns on the skin. For paraffin bathsa special purified cosmetic product is used. You can buy it at a pharmacy or a specialized store.
Divided into two types - a pure product and with additives. In the first case, all additives and dyes are excluded from the composition. As for the second type, a variety of oils and vitamins are added to the composition.
How to choose the right bath?
When choosing, first of all, pay attention to the characteristics of the equipment:
- Quality thermostat, with its help paraffin is heated to the required temperature and maintains it for a long period of time.
- In a good bath, the heating process does not exceed one hour.
- Volume. When choosing, you should consider for what purposes this device is purchased. If a paraffin bath is for hands and face, then it is enough to purchase an apparatus that can hold a couple of kilograms of the mixture. But for the legs you need a device with a volume of four kilograms.
- There are also anti-spill baths with the function of heating aromatic oils, which is very convenient.
Paraffin hand baths: benefits and harms
Any cosmetic procedure has its advantages and disadvantages, let's consider them in more detail:
- Purification. Paraffin baths help to eliminate toxins by improving blood circulation.
- Rejuvenation. Paraffin acts on the stimulation of the epidermis and has a lifting effect. Already after a fewprocedures, you can notice how fine wrinkles are smoothed out, and the skin becomes elastic.
- Toning. This procedure not only tones the epidermis, but also restores muscle tone, and also has a beneficial effect on the joints of the fingers.
- Moisture. This process occurs due to heating. The skin during the procedure produces sweat, but the paraffin film does not allow moisture to evaporate, and it is absorbed again, thereby moisturizing not only the upper layers of the epithelium, but also the deeper ones.
- Strengthening. After the procedure, not only the skin is tightened, but the nail plate becomes stronger.
- Treatment. Perfectly copes with the healing of microcracks by adding vitamins and essential oils.
It should be remembered that in case of improper preparation and implementation of the procedure at home, paraffin baths for hands, feet and face can be harmful. In order not to get burns on the skin, it is necessary to control the temperature of the heated product. Paraffin is made from petroleum. To avoid an allergic reaction, frequent use is not recommended.
What do you need for paraffin therapy?
Before proceeding with the procedure, you need to prepare the following:
- cosmetic paraffin;
- special bath;
- mittens (disposable polyethylene);
- moisturizing cream.
You can purchase special kits for this procedure. They already include everything you need.
Viewsprocedures
Although there are several main types, this procedure can be done on almost all parts of the body (hands and elbows, abdomen and hips, legs, face).
So, let's take a closer look at how to do paraffin baths.
Hand treatment
The procedure only at first glance seems difficult, you just need to adhere to the technology and rules.
Tips on how to make a paraffin bath:
- First of all, three kilograms of the product are purchased, it must be cleaned.
- When heating, avoid getting water into the paraffin.
- While the heating process is in progress, the skin should be prepared. To do this, use a scrub to remove dead skin, then apply a moisturizer.
- The product is used once, repeated use will not bring positive results.
Step by step instructions:
- One procedure will require 0.5 kg of cosmetic product.
- Before the paraffin bath, it is necessary to prepare the skin. To do this, pre-steam the hands in a warm bath with the addition of sea s alt, then use a scrub to remove all peeling and apply a nourishing cream. And only after the cream is completely absorbed, you can proceed to the procedure.
- To avoid injury to the epidermis in the form of burns, you need to check the temperature of the paraffin with the back of your hand.
- Immerse your hands in the bath for no more than seven seconds, take out your palms and wait no morefifteen seconds and plunge again. Such manipulations are done 5 to 7 times, the epidermis should be covered with a thick layer of paraffin.
- The hands are put on disposable polyethylene mittens and wrapped in a terry towel, kept for about twenty minutes.
- Next, carefully separate the paraffin from the skin.
- The residue is removed with a paper towel and a nourishing cream is applied with massage movements.
If a cold product is used for the procedure, it should be applied in one layer with a soft brush. In the same way, mittens are put on and hands are wrapped up.
The full course of treatment consists of ten procedures, they should be performed twice a month. But cold paraffin is considered safe, it can be applied a couple of times a week.
Paraffin foot baths
While the product is heating, it is necessary to prepare the legs for the procedure:
- They do a pedicure, thoroughly clean the feet with a scrub and disinfect them.
- Check the paraffin temperature, it should be bearable.
- Gently lower the legs into the bath and pull them out after five seconds, a thin film should be visible. Twenty seconds later they lower it again. They do this manipulation several times until the paraffin film covers the legs with a thick layer.
- For a greenhouse effect, wrap the limbs with polyethylene, and wear woolen socks on top.
- After half an hour, carefully remove the paraffin and apply a nourishing cream.
To ensure that the legs are relaxed after the procedure, it is recommended to perform the procedure before going to bed.
Facial treatment
This manipulation is very useful for dry skin types, and also perfectly helps to smooth fine wrinkles and tighten the epidermis:
- As well as in other procedures, the skin is preliminarily prepared. To do this, wash your face thoroughly, scrub your face and apply a moisturizer.
- You will need a gauze napkin in which holes are made around the eyes, lips and nose.
- First, a thin layer of the product is applied to the face with a soft brush, put gauze on top and apply a few more layers of paraffin (no more than five).
- While the paraffin is cooling, take a comfortable position (preferably lying down).
- After twenty minutes, you can get rid of paraffin gauze, they begin to remove it from the neck.
- After everything is removed, a nourishing cream is applied.
Already after several treatments, positive changes are observed.
Scrubs and creams for paraffin therapy (homemade recipes)
Cleansing and nourishing products can be easily prepared at home.
Homemade Body Scrubs:
- A wonderful scrub is made from coffee grounds. To do this, in equal proportions, ground coffee grounds are mixed with cottage cheese. Massage movements are applied to the skin and incubated for about five minutes. You can also add instead of cottage cheese to the thickmed.
- Another great exfoliator is sea s alt. To do this, finely grind the s alt, mix it in equal proportions with sour cream and add one yolk (egg). Massage movements are applied to the epidermis and kept for about ten minutes.
- For a couple of tablespoons of crushed orange or lemon peels, take one teaspoon of olive oil and mix well.
For hands:
- In equal proportions mix sugar and sour cream (it should be thick). Stir and immediately apply to the skin, granulated sugar should not melt.
- Mix 1:2 baking soda and olive oil.
- For 50 milligrams of liquid honey, take one capsule of vitamin E and half a teaspoon of sugar.
For feet:
- Semolina is added to the nourishing cream.
- For half a glass of sea s alt, take two chopped tomatoes and mix everything.
- In equal proportions mix coarse and finely ground sea s alt. Add some liquid soap and a few drops of essential oil.
Homemade Nourishing Creams:
- To prepare a moisturizer, you will need one yolk (egg), a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice. And also 50 milligrams of glycerin, liquid honey and olive oil. All ingredients are thoroughly whipped in a blender, and the cream is ready.
- The following products are taken for one egg yolk in equal proportions (five milligrams each): sour cream, olive oil and bergamot. All ingredients are thoroughly mixed with a mixer.
- Will be neededsuch products: butter (one tablespoon) and the same amount of plum pulp, one yolk, 10 milligrams of honey. Oil and honey are thoroughly rubbed and the rest of the ingredients are added.
- For a couple of tablespoons of cottage cheese you will need 30 milligrams of nettle decoction, a teaspoon of honey and a moisturizer (30 g). Beat all the ingredients with a mixer.
- Glycerin and beeswax are taken in equal proportions, placed in prepared dishes and placed in a steam bath until completely dissolved, while stirring the ingredients constantly. Then add a little olive oil and boiled water. After a couple of minutes, add rose water without alcohol. After a few minutes, remove the mass and beat with a mixer. The ratio of the components: if you take all the ingredients in one tablespoon, then you need to add a couple of spoons of rose water.
Precautions
- Paraffin should not be used if there are contraindications, or if there is a tendency to allergic reactions.
- If the procedure is done for the first time, a sensitivity test should be done. To do this, a finger is dipped into a cosmetic product and the reaction of the skin is observed during the day.
- After the bath, keep your hands or feet warm for about three hours.
- It is not recommended to apply nail polish or detergents without protective gloves for two hours.
This procedure can be used for both medical and cosmetic purposes. But in any case, it should be remembered thatfor the best result, you must complete the entire course without interruption, namely from 10 to 15 sessions.