Paraffin therapy: what is it and how is it carried out?

General description of the procedure

Paraffin therapy is a heat treatment method. Physiotherapeutic direction of cosmetology, where with the help of melted paraffin and application in the form of applications, deep tissue heating occurs.

Paraffin consists of saturated acyclic hydrocarbons, the result of petrochemicals. The product is tasteless, odorless, insoluble in water, and when melted it is ideal for mixing with vegetable fats, such as cosmetic base oils.

The paraffin therapy procedure is suitable for treating the skin of the face and body, nails, joints, and muscles.

Thermodynamics and high heat capacity are distinctive beneficial properties. At a high melting point and heating to 52-55˚C, paraffin slowly releases heat, so there is absolutely no risk of skin burns.

There are two main types of paraffin produced - yellow and white.

Yellow is used in medical centers and sanatoriums to relieve pain in joints and muscles.

In cosmetology practice, a white product is used. It is more suitable for delicate facial skin than yellow. During production, white paraffin is thoroughly cleaned of impurities, which means that the risk of allergies is eliminated. If a skin reaction suddenly occurs, it is only because an excipient was added to the pure product (for example, essential or base cosmetic oil, honey, dyes) which can cause itching and redness. For allergy sufferers, only white, pure product is suitable.

Paraffin therapy can be cold or hot. In the first case, there is no need to melt the paraffin.

Diseases that can be cured at Naftalan resorts

The Naftalan resort is suitable for your indications if you have one or more of the following diagnoses:

Indications for the treatment of skin diseases:

One of the most effective methods for treating skin diseases is naftalan. It has anti-inflammatory, desensitizing, antihistamine and analgesic effects on the skin.

• psoriasis
• eczema
• atopic dermatitis
• sebary
• pityriasis rosea
• boils
• cycosis and other pyoderma
• hives
• scleroderma
• itching
• wounds
• bedsores
• torpid ulcers
• ichthyosis
• keratoderma and others

It is worth remembering that treatment worsens the symptoms of psoriasis. This is a normal reaction of the body to naphtha and should not be alarmed. Symptoms will disappear on their own without additional treatment.

Benefits of paraffin therapy

Among the advantages of the procedure are the following:

• Eliminates dry skin, hair, nails.
• Treats psoriasis, neurodermatitis.
• Removes swelling and cellulite.
• Fights pigmentation.
• Heals cracks and scars.
• Tightens the skin.
• Relieves joint pain, arthritis, arthrosis.
• Treats neuralgia, osteochondrosis.
• Helps in complex therapy of the musculoskeletal system.

Types of procedures

Anti-aging face masks

Paraffin rejuvenates the face. In combination with additional agents, it is used as anti-age therapy. Smoothes wrinkles, removes bags under the eyes, resolves infiltrates. The mask removes dead cells and tissue regeneration occurs. Due to solidification, compression occurs. Light, pleasant pressure models an oval shape and removes a double chin. After six procedures, the face will become fresh, smooth, and acquire a delicate shade.

Anti-acne masks

Paraffin normalizes the sebaceous glands. Under the influence of heat, the pores open. Contaminants come to the surface of the dermis, are absorbed into paraffin and are removed along with the mask. The face is peeled, scars are removed, and blackheads are eliminated. To increase the effectiveness of the procedure, add lavender essential oil or a few drops of tea tree oil and aloe juice to the product.

Body applications

The hot paraffin therapy method warms up, opens the pores, increasing sweating. Toxins are actively removed through sweat. A sauna effect is created, due to which the skin is noticeably moisturized and tightened. And if valuable oils and vitamins are added to the product, the skin is nourished and saturated with useful microelements. Paraffin therapy of the body is used as a relaxing, therapeutic, care procedure in Spa centers.

For hands

It is an independent salon procedure for hands and nails. Restores nails after all types of extensions. Strengthens the plate, moisturizes dry cuticle. Prevention of hangnails. Softens rough, dry skin on elbows and hands. Transforms hands after contact with household chemicals. Has a lifting effect. Used in complex Spa programs to relieve tension. After the first procedure, your hands will become smooth and your nails will be shiny.

For legs

Relieves joint pain after wearing tight high-heeled shoes. Removes swelling. Provides relaxation and relief from daily stress. Strengthens nail plates. Softens rough skin on the heels.

Against pain

The paraffin product relieves myological joint pain and muscle tension. It is used in therapeutic massage at the warming stage.

For athletes, it is an indispensable remedy for relieving back pain or when it is necessary to quickly warm up a muscle.

There will also be benefits after injuries, in complex prevention with massage and therapeutic exercises. As rehabilitation after any types of fractures, dislocations.

For recovery from chronic arthritis and arthrosis.

Treats scaly lichen, scar tissue degeneration.

Diseases of the peripheral nerves and central nervous system

The neuroimmune system is constantly under stress, and overexertion affects our mental and physical health. The use of naphtha in the treatment of the diseases and symptoms listed below allows us to achieve a lasting positive therapeutic effect.

• Diseases of the peripheral nervous system
• Neuralgia and neuritis of various etiologies
• Radiculitis (including lumbosacral)
• Damage to the peripheral nervous system after trauma

Diseases of the central nervous system

• The initial stage of atherosclerosis in the arteries of the brain
• Consequences of traumatic injuries to the spinal cord and brain (concussion, contusion) in the absence of serious motor disorders
• Astheno-vegetative syndrome

Contraindications

Paraffin therapy is not recommended in the following cases:

• Inflammatory process, inflammation of any etymology. Exposure to a hot product dilates blood vessels. Nutrients are delivered to the site of inflammation, which activate the growth of pathogens.
• Atherosclerosis. The cosmetologist cannot know in which vessel your plaques have formed. Exposure to heat and deep heating of tissues, vasodilation - all this can potentially cause a heart attack, stroke, or pulmonary embolism.
• Pregnancy. The hot procedure dilates the blood vessels, which can cause bleeding and the threat of early labor.
• Cuts. Violation of the integrity of the skin is also a contraindication to paraffin therapy.
• Hypertension, varicose veins, angina pectoris.
• Diabetes. Is it possible to do paraffin therapy for diabetes - the question remains open. On the one hand, hot paraffin therapy aggravates the course of diseases of diabetics: blood circulation and microcirculation are disrupted, cracks, ulcers, and fungal diseases of the skin and nails occur. But in some sources of medical literature there is an opposite opinion that for diabetic feet, a physiotherapeutic procedure - paraffin therapy - is indicated as it improves the skin of the feet and nails. Consult an endocrinologist before going to a beauty salon.
• For those who have allergies, dermatosis, skin infections, paraffin is not indicated.

Indications for the treatment of gynecological diseases:

Naftalan treats gynecological diseases, providing the body with anti-inflammatory, desensitizing, general and partial immunostimulating, analgesic and neurotrophic effects, and improves blood circulation in the pelvic organs. In addition, thanks to certain types of bacteria and mold fungi, the substance has bactericidal properties, promotes the healing of scars and softens seams.

• adenxitis, salpingophoritis
• parametritis
• endometritis
• servicitis, chronic recurrent colpitis
• amenorrhea
• dysfunction
• first and second degree infertility
• climacteric syndrome
• peritoneal joints of the pelvis

Adverse reactions

Side effects include:

• A side effect is a burn. Despite the fact that in the salon and medical centers it is impossible to get a burn, at home it is easy to get one. Never mix paraffin with water, put it in a wet container, or apply it yourself at home. Since water has greater thermal conductivity than thick paraffin mass.
• Hives. Blisters may occur locally at the area where the product is applied. In rare cases, breathing becomes impaired, blood pressure drops sharply, and anaphylactic shock occurs.
• Home use of paraffin leads to serious errors. For example, to suppuration, aggravation of the problem from which a person tried to get rid of with the help of home applications. Only a master knows how to do it correctly and without serious consequences.
• Compared to other methods, paraffin is safe. Affordable and very effective, cannot be self-prescribed. For adequate treatment, you need to consult a cosmetologist, cosmetologist-dermatologist, endocrinologist, allergist. The specialist will tell you how often you can do the procedure.

How does treatment take place in Naftalanei, where does it begin?

Sanatorium-resort treatment in Naftalan sanatoriums always begins with a consultation with a doctor, who, based on a medical examination and additional studies carried out (if necessary), draws up an individual treatment plan that takes into account all the features of the patient’s health condition.

An individual treatment plan includes a set of therapeutic procedures in the form of naphthalan baths and lubrication. For baths, native (natural) naphthalan is used, and for lubrication, deresined (purified) naphthalan. Deresined naphthalan does not irritate the mucous membranes, therefore it is successfully used both cutaneously and in the form of tampons and baths, as well as for lubricating the gums, throat, and nose; for ultraphonophoresis in the form of oil inhalations.

Procedures based on Naftalan oil

Naftalan baths are taken for 8 - 12 minutes. The patient is placed in a bath filled with naphthalan oil, heated to a temperature of 37 - 38°C. According to patients, immersion and stay in such a bath is very pleasant and comfortable, as if immersing yourself in warm chocolate. A total of 8 to 14 baths are prescribed.

Oil penetrates into the blood through the pores and is then excreted through the sweat glands. Toxic substances are also excreted through the skin through sweat. When the bath is completed, naftalan is cleaned from the body with a special spatula, and its remains are washed off under a warm shower. You should not take a hot shower due to increased sensitivity of the skin.

The shower temperature should correspond to body temperature, and to avoid hypothermia, you need to dress warmly and drink hot tea. This will lead to dilation of blood vessels and further self-cleansing of the body.

Naphtha has a calming effect on mental processes; you may begin to feel sleepy. Therefore, it is recommended after the treatment procedure to go to bed and rest for at least 2 hours. After all, we know that any medicine works more effectively when we sleep (and regeneration at the cellular level occurs more actively).

Naftalan lubrication (locally) is carried out by heating a place lubricated with purified oil with a Sollux lamp (infrared radiation). The radiation of the lamp promotes the penetration of naphthalan hydrocarbons through cell membranes and potentiates the bioactive effect of the substance. The lamp is kept at a distance of 75-100 cm and, as a rule, up to 20 procedures of 20 minutes are prescribed.

Ultraphonophoresis is also sometimes performed (a complex effect on the body of ultrasonic vibrations and active cosmetic products) with deresined naphthalan.

Through contact media, ultrasound increases the activity of drugs, promotes their intracellular penetration, prolongs their period of action, and reduces adverse reactions to the drug. With ultraphonophoresis, the necessary substances enter through the excretory ducts of the sweat and sebaceous glands. It is also important that naphtha passes actively not only intercellularly, but also intracellularly.

Method of performing paraffin therapy

1. The master thoroughly cleanses the skin, performs light peeling, and applies a light cream or cosmetic oil.
2. Paraffin is placed in the thermostat and heated to the permissible temperature mark. There can be several methods for applying paraffin. They all depend on the type of procedure. Layering is suitable for hands, a bath is suitable for legs, feet, hands. Applications – for joints and face masks.
3. Cover the area with a terry towel or thermal blanket. Put gloves or mittens on your hands, and socks on your feet.
4. After 15-20 minutes, the product is removed. The exposure time depends on the area of ​​the skin.
5. The session ends with the application of a nourishing, protective cream.

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