The 8 Best Paraffin Baths
This wiki has been updated 29 times since it was first published in April of 2015. Paraffin wax baths can moisturize dry feet and hands, as well as boost blood flow and relax the muscles, which makes them a popular treatment at spas. You can save time and money with one of these at-home kits, which feature built-in heating elements and come in a variety of sizes. Just be sure to check the temperature before each use, since the warmth preferred by some is much too hot for others. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki. If you'd like to contribute your own research to the Wiki, please get started by reviewing this introductory video.
1. Therabath Thermotherapy
2. Lavany Quick Heating
3. Revlon Moisturizing
Editor's Notes
October 28, 2020:
Today’s update sees the addition of the Revlon Moisturizing, a white device with a bright pink lid that comes with three pounds of pleasant rain-scented wax, as well as two pink thermal mitts and 30 clear plastic liners. Once the indicator light turns on, it’s ready for use, which is about 60 minutes after you turn it on and add the wax. Unlike some others, this one offers multiple heat levels -- five in all -- and it’s comparatively inexpensive. We’re still partial to the Therabath Thermotherapy, a professional-grade model that will pay for itself over time if you cut back on trips to the salon. With it, you’ll receive six pounds of wax, either unscented or in your choice of fragrances like blooming lilacs, cranberry zest, cucumber melon, eucalyptus rosemary mint, grapefruit tea tree, and more.
For a somewhat cheaper, yet equally reliable model, look to the Lavany Quick Heating, which comes complete with paraffin wax, two thermal mitts, 50 glove liners, a brush, and a heat-insulating grid. It heats to 148 degrees Fahrenheit, and takes just 20 minutes to fully melt two pounds of wax. While it’s too small to accommodate feet larger than a size eight in women’s shoes, the Conair True Glow Pink works quickly to moisturize and soothe dry skin, and the upside of its compact size is that it won’t take up too much storage space. It’s got a bright LED indicator light so you know when it’s ready, and comes with a cheery pink top, or you can choose purple. It’s comparatively affordable, and comes with a pound of unscented paraffin wax. For safety’s sake, when these are hot, keep them away from small children and pets. In addition, be sure to test the temperature carefully, to make sure it’s to your liking, before fully immersing your hands or feet into it.
April 29, 2019:
At this time, it's remains tough to outperform the Therabath Thermotherapy, which has the large capacity that many of the less expensive home models lack. That means you can plunge your feet, elbows, or wrists into it, so you get full coverage and not just a tease. Of course, this also means you'll need more wax to fill it, but it arrives with 6 pounds to get you started. If you're not looking to spend quite so much, either the Lavany Quick Heating or Conair True Glow Pink are choices to consider, with the Conair being especially budget-friendly. It's on the smaller side, however, a double-edged sword; it's portable, which is great, but won't fit most feet, which is less so. After some deliberation, we decided to remove the Revlon Moisturizing Bath. Although it's from a trusted name in beauty products, there are too many small drawbacks that add up to a frustrating overall experience. Consider the similarly priced Salon Sundry Spa Warmer to be a more durable alternative.
4. GiGi Digital
5. Conair True Glow Pink
6. Salon Sundry Spa Warmer
7. Parabath Warmer
8. HoMedics Thera-P Paraspa Plus
The Benefits Of Using A Paraffin Bath
A paraffin bath consists of a basin in which paraffin wax is melted and then maintained in its warm liquid form at an ideal temperature.
Chronic ailments such as arthritis or joint inflammation can markedly damage the quality of life of anyone so afflicted. Joint pain makes it difficult to complete even basic tasks such as typing, trying a shoe, or opening a jar without discomfort, and in more extreme cases, these issues can make the performance of many tasks impossible.
While a doctor or other medical professional can prescribe pain management medications and various rehabilitation activities to treat or minimize the underlying causes of arthritis, bursitis, or other types of inflammation, it is also important that anyone so afflicted take the time to mitigate the symptoms they are experiencing, thus improving their quality of life. One of the best ways to reduce join pain in the hands and feet is by long sessions of paraffin bath treatment.
Paraffin wax is a hydrocarbon compound derived from either petroleum or coal. It is non-toxic, soft to the touch when solid, and without odor. Most paraffin wax is white, though color can easily be added if desired, as can essential and/or aroma oils.
A paraffin bath consists of a basin in which paraffin wax is melted and then maintained in its warm liquid form at an ideal temperature. The heat settings of a paraffin bath can vary greatly from unit to unit, but most high quality paraffin baths allow you to set the specific temperature you'd like. The temperature range tends to be anywhere above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the approximate point of paraffin wax, and 150 degrees F, above which temperatures begin to be a danger for burns. Regular protracted paraffin bath sessions can greatly reduce the pain of joint afflictions, and can enhance the range of motion and ease of use of the fingers, wrists, toes, and ankles, if only temporarily.
Paraffin bath treatments can also serve to mitigate decidedly less serious issues, such as chronic dry skin. While dry skin is more of an unpleasant inconvenience than it is an obstacle to completing the everyday tasks of life, anyone with regularly dry, cracked, and callused heels, toes, or palms will tell you that the condition is far from enjoyable.
Paraffin Baths For Therapeutic Use
The thermal relief provided by a paraffin bath can dramatically reduce the pain and limited joint function associated with arthritis, acute or chronic bursitis, or with inflammation caused by everything from injury to illness to age. The relief offered is temporary, but regular use of paraffin bath treatments can improve a patient's quality of life, especially when the sessions are but one part of a therapeutic regimen.
As a treatment for dry skin, submersion in a paraffin bath is often preceded by coating the hands or feet with a hydrating lotion or oil.
Paraffin wax dipping can offer increased flexibility and mobility, but do make sure to consult with a medical professional before using a paraffin bath as part of your treatment plan; it is important you avoid over using a finger, ankle, or any other joint that feels better right after a paraffin bath session but which is in fact still very much compromised by your injury, age, or condition.
As a treatment for dry skin, submersion in a paraffin bath is often preceded by coating the hands or feet with a hydrating lotion or oil. The warmth and moisture of the wax helps to soothe and soften skin on its own, but working in tandem with a hydrating product, it can more actively assuage dry skin issues, helping your skin to absorb the moisture from the lotion or oil you have chosen. Many users also choose to use a glove or thermal mitt when using heated paraffin wax as a treatment for dry skin; the hand and/or foot is dipped into the warmed wax and then inserted into the glove or mitten, which helps maintain warmth even when the appendage has been removed from the paraffin bath. A user then wears the glove/mitt for as long as he or she would like.
Paraffin wax can easily be peeled off of the skin and reused after each session; just make sure you hands and/or feet are clean before submerging them, as the cleaner you keep your wax, the less often it will have to be replaced.
Paraffin Baths For Relaxation
As part of your routine for relaxing at the end of a long day or for making the most of free time on the weekends, it's hard to beat the soothing warmth of a paraffin bath. Especially when your hands are sore from long use at the computer or in the garden or your feet are aching from prolonged standing or movement, the penetrating warmth that comes with a paraffin bath is hard to beat. With your own home paraffin bath can enjoy the same relaxation you would get from a wax soak at a spa or salon, and for less than the cost of most treatments.
You can either set your paraffin bath to a lower temperature and leave your hands or feet submerged, or you can repeatedly dip a hand or foot into the melted wax until a layer has built up around your skin and then wrap yourself in plastic liner followed by a glove or mitt.
Adding aromatic oils or hydrating lotions to your routine can both enhance the calming potential of a paraffin bath session and can help soften and moisturize your skin, too.
Just make sure you plan ahead, as many paraffin baths require as long as two hours to fully melt their wax, and waiting that long is anything but relaxing if you haven't already factored it in.
Karen Bennett lives in Chicago with her family, and when she’s not writing, she can usually be found practicing yoga or cheering on her kids at soccer games. She holds a master’s degree in journalism and a bachelor’s in English, and her writing has been published in various local newspapers, as well as “The Cheat Sheet,” “Illinois Legal Times,” and “USA Today.” She has also written search engine news page headlines and worked as a product manager for a digital marketing company. Her expertise is in literature, nonfiction, textbooks, home products, kids' games and toys, hardware, teaching accessories, and art materials.