The 5 Best Paraffin Wax Baths [Ranked]
Paraffin wax baths are commonly used to treat pain associated with joint inflammation, arthritis, bursitis and other types of chronic pain conditions.
It works by providing the user with thermal treatment to relieve pain, making use of a spectrum of adjustable heat comfort levels.
Paraffin treatment therapy will employ heated oil-based wax to the feet, hands and sore muscles and joints.
If you are looking for a spa-quality paraffin wax warmer- check out the Salon Sundry bath. It is a professional-quality wax bath that features an extra large design, 12" x 7", leaving enough room for you and your clients to immerse both of their feet or hands or elbows at the same time.
The Conair paraffin bath is a solid home option- it is small, but is intended just for hands. If you need a home unit to use for your feet, as well, check out Dr. Scholl's Paraffin Spa Bath.
Contents
Paraffin Baths Compared
| Paraffin Baths | Our Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Revlon Moisturestay Paraffin Bath | 3.9 | $ | |
| Dr. Scholl's Quick Heat Paraffin Spa Bath | 4.0 | $ | |
| Conair True Glow Heated Paraffin Bath | 4.2 | $ | |
| The Salon Sundry Spa Paraffin Wax Warmer | 4.2 | $$$ |
The Five Best Paraffin Baths
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
The safe and effectiveMoisturestay by Revlon is a superb option that has a variety of heat settings. Its users are pleased that it is great at relieving sore muscles, but also note that it takes longer than advertised to heat the wax. It weighs around 7lbs, coming with three 1lb blocks of aromatherapy scented wax, two thermal mitts and thirty plastic glove liners. This quick heat product from Revlon is a great choice if you are looking for an arthritis relief paraffin bath.
Overall the reviews for the Revlon Moisturestay Quick Heat Paraffin Bath, RVSP3501 are very positive. Customers reported that it was easy to use and significantly softened their skin. Many users purchased this product to soothe injury pains and have indicated that it works very well in that regard. Although most users are slightly disappointed with the long heat-up time this does not affect their review of the product, with reviews praising the product but simply noting on the side that the heat-up time is longer than expected.
Most users found that they needed to purchase more wax almost immediately and one user suggested purchasing additional wax with the product, while another stated that the amount of wax supplied was about enough for about 4 uses. One customer stated that additional wax is rather expensive.
Video Overview
Pros
- Easy to use
- Tub fits larger hands/feet
- Effective as therapeutic aid
- Usable right out of the box
Cons
- Takes over 2 hours to heat up
- Comes with little wax
- Not deep enough to submerge wrists
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
The lightweight, affordable quick heat paraffin bath from Dr. Scholl’s is a practical option that has a handy indicator light to display when it is heating. Its users enjoy that it is great at softening skin, but also note that the wax that comes with it has a strong odor. It has an adjustable dial for customizing heat levels, a weighs about 4lb and comes with enough wax for initial use. This hot wax bath is an inexpensive option if you are looking for a long-lasting quick heating paraffin bath.
Customer reviews for Dr. Scholl’s Quick Heat Paraffin Spa Bath are relatively good, although several customers had very bad experiences. One user detailed an account of it leaking through the bottom all over their counter and floor, while others have also noted a leaking issue. Many customers claim that the instructions are hard to follow, but a few say this claim is incorrect and had no difficulty operating it. It works for therapeutic uses and provides soothing comfort.
Although many customers were not pleased with the smell of the wax that comes with the product, they found that by mixing unscented wax or using solely unscented wax they were pleased.
Pros
- Provides thermal relief
- Comfortable
- Can be turned on and off to all day use
Cons
- Short power cord
- No safety function
- Complicated instructions
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
The compact, 3lb Conair heated wax bath is a cheap option that is quite portable. Its users like that it is very economical, but also note that it is too small to fit average sized feet. It is a heated wax treatment which alleviates dry skin, comes with a 1lb aloe vera wax bar and takes about two hours to fully heat up. This wax bath is a good option if you are looking for a small and affordable heated paraffin bath.
User ratings for the Conair True Glow Heated Paraffin Bath are rather mixed. While many customers are happy with the value they get for relatively little cost, others are frustrated with the fact that it is so tiny. Due to a lack of heat control, some customers complained of either fear of being burned by the product, with a handful actually stating that they had been burned.
One user noted a workaround to the heat issue by melting the wax and then turning the heating element off for fifteen minutes before use. Many customers reported that it works wonderfully, heating the wax evenly and providing relief for arthritis pain as well as dry skin. The amount of wax that it comes with is only enough to fill the tub once, so additional wax is recommended.
Pros
- Small lightweight, it can be easily carried from place to place
- One of the least expensive options available
Cons
- Can heat up to uncomfortable temperatures
- Not large enough for big hands
- Has a long heat-up time
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
The spacious Salon Sundry paraffin bath is a quality choice that has a 12in x 7in tub. Its users love that it is great at melting wax quickly, but also note that it can get excessively hot if the temperature is not properly monitored.
It is a salon quality wax bath which can use virtually any type of wax, comes with a grate for protecting hands or feet from heating elements, has a highly legible digital display which shows the temperature as well as various temperature control buttons and a power button rather than a simply “plug-in / plug-out” power control. This hot wax tub is a fantastic option if you are looking for a high end heated paraffin bath.
Generally, the user consensus on the Salon Sundry Spa Paraffin Wax Warmer is positive although several users warn against purchasing it. It stays cool to the touch on the outside and is easy to control the temperature on the inside. Most customers noted that the instructions appear to be written by a non-native English speaker, however, this has not affected reviews as many of these customers found the terribly written instructions to be rather entertaining.
But some users said that they had to search the internet for clear instructions. Many users reported malfunctioning parts, stating that the product stopped functioning after a short period of time and one user, in particular, claimed that the product only ever worked the first time they used it.
Pros
- Large tub which comfortably fits hands or feet
- Melts wax in under two hours
- Consistent temperature
- Handy digital readout
Cons
- Poorly written instructions
- Not very durable
- Uses a significant amount of wax
Using a paraffin wax bath
Paraffin wax baths are also great for the skin- providing moisturization and skin-softening benefits. This incredibly deep from of heat therapy makes use of paraffin wax that is liquefied, which is exceptional at retaining and absorbing heat. Once the wax reaches the right temperature, you well then immerse your foot or elbow or hand into the paraffin bath and the wax heat will soothingly solidify around the painful area.
This heat will help to boost your circulation and provide pain relief from chronic pain conditions. It will also enhance your skin- boosting blood supply to it and opening your pores. If you are looking to purchase a wax paraffin therapy system for your home, there are many small appliances, as you can see, that fit the bill. If you are just starting out, it is recommended that you begin by melting the paraffin wax inside of the paraffin bath, let it cool to 125°F, then you should remove all of your jewelry and clean the area that you are going to immerse in the wax bath.
If you are looking to treat arthritis in your foot, you will want to dip your foot in a couple of times until a hot and thick skim of wax covers your foot- you should be very cautious that you do not make contact with the paraffin bath itself, as it could be too hot to the touch. Once you are coated with the wax, then you should put your foot back into the paraffin wax bath for around 30 minutes. When you're done you will be able to peel off the wax and then reuse it for your next paraffin therapy treatment.
These small plastic tubs, which is basically what they are, will let you melt wax and provide an interesting form of alternative pain relief and skin treatment. Some people write about their hands getting incredibly dry and scaly during the winter, and having experimented with lotions and body butter that just do not provide quality results, have used paraffin baths to effectively replenish and rejuvenate their skin.
Some users who have complained about the paraffin wax bath getting too hot to immerse their body parts into saying that they heated the units up until the wax is melted and then unplug their devices, effectively letting it cool, before they immersed their feet or hands into it.
If you think about it, purchasing your own paraffin bath is a great return on investment if you are visiting your local spa to receive the same treatment as a heavy markup. That said, check out our comparison table and read all of our reviews on this page to discover the best paraffin wax bath treatment system for you and your budget.
