With summer moving in its time to prepare hands and feet for full exposure.
What is it supposed to do?
Feet and hands will feel smooth and relaxed after treatment. Both are covered in a warm mixture of paraffin, candle and bees wax, that penetrates the skin and leaves tired feet feeling soft and relaxed. It doesn’t take long and is a quick way to relieve pain in a quiet, pampering manner.
What benefits does it claim?
Trained Advanced Nail Technician and Facials beautician Angie Thursby explains: “The warm paraffin is one of the most effective ways of applying heat to reduce swelling in muscles, decrease inflammation in joints and connective tissues, soothe pain from arthritis and improve circulation.”
Is there any science behind it?
The Paraffin Wax treatment has been recommended by physicians, physiotherapists and arthritis specialists since 1962.
The medical community, rehabilitation specialists and massage therapists embrace paraffin for its therapeutic qualities. Carefully applied, it is a great way to reduce muscle pain and speed healing. The paraffin treatment is especially beneficial in the treatment of arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, tennis elbow, overworked and fatigued muscles, scar tissue, which reduces range of motion in joints and tendons, as well as many sports injuries. It can often provide pain relief due to Fibromyalgia.
What is it like?
Prior to the treatment, a manicure can take place but my nails were already taken care of, so it was straight to the treatment. As a manicure involves massaging the hand, that’s exactly what Angie did for the first five minutes. After massaging each hand, she applied a generous amount of moisturiser on the skin and began painting warm wax onto my hands. As I am a regular waxer (I never shave), the temperature of the wax didn’t bother me, however, many clients can’t tolerate the heat, Angie said. Of course, temperature can be lowered according to the client’s heat threshold.
The whole hand, including nails and palms, is covered in wax up to the wrist and the feeling of warmth indicates the healing properties of the moisturiser and wax. Having covered the hands , Angie quickly wrapped them up in some tissue followed by a plastic bag, which was tightly tied around my wrists to ensure the heat stayed in. Comfortable insulated mittens were then put over the bag and I stayed put for 10 minutes. “Of course, timing depends on how dry your hands or feet are. So, if they’re not that bad, 10 minutes is more than enough otherwise it could be 15,” said Angie.
With the gloves were off Angie slowly began pulling off the bag and tissue with the wax, which basically came off like a glove. “There’s no scientific reason behind the way we pull the wax off. It’s just to avoid a huge mess when wax crumbles all over the place.” My hands and feet were left unbelievably soft with every bit of dry skin smoothed out while the gained a certain glow, which lasted three days.
Where and how much?
Angie Thursby at 11 Evagora Pallikarides, apt 202, Engomi, Nicosia. Tel: 99 –303522. £4 for hands and £8 for feet
