Paraffin Wax Units

A hand covered by a plastic bag and towel after paraffin wax treatment
Figure 2: Cover the wax-coated hand with a plastic bag and wrap with a towel to hold in moist heat.

A paraffin wax unit is a machine that heats and holds paraffin wax, a type of wax used for candles. The wax is intended to completely cover the hand, or other body parts such as the feet. Its warm temperature is meant to provide relief from arthritis pain, sore joints, or sore muscles.

This treatment may be recommended for various medical and surgical hand problems by a hand specialist. A paraffin wax unit should not be used if you have open wounds or cuts, problems with sensation, or if you only want to warm your hands.

A paraffin wax unit may be rented or purchased. Units are low-cost and can often be purchased from a local retailer, such as a drugstore, department store, discount store, or online.

How to Use a Paraffin Wax Unit

First, choose a place in your home where the unit can be set up according to the instructions. Pay particular attention to the safety features to prevent accidents. These units usually can remain set up and plugged in at all times, allowing the paraffin to be melted and available for use throughout the day.

When using your unit, follow these instructions:

  1. Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them.
  2. Rub lotion onto your hands. Hand lotion allows the wax to be removed easily after treatment.
  3. Dip your hand into the wax, fingertips first. Keep your fingers separated and submerge your hand all the way past the wrist if desired.
  4. Remove your hand after it has been coated with wax.
  5. Repeat the dipping process 6-8 times, waiting a few seconds between each dip. This allows layers of wax to form over your hand.
  6. Immediately cover your hand with a plastic bag and wrap it with a hand towel. Wait 10-15 minutes. This will create moist, deep heat for your hand.
  7. Remove the towel, plastic bag, and cooled wax after 10-15 minutes.
  8. Return the wax from your hand to the paraffin unit for reuse.
  9. Proceed with exercises that have been recommended by your hand surgeon and/or hand therapist.

When the wax level of your unit is low, you can purchase additional blocks of paraffin, usually from the store of your original purchase or a local beauty supply shop.

Hand being dipped into warm paraffin wax
Figure 1: Dip the hand into the paraffin wax with the fingertips entering first.
Cooled wax being removed from the hand and returned to the paraffin unit
Figure 3: Remove the cooled wax and return it to the paraffin unit for reuse.

This mobile-friendly version is adapted from patient education content originally provided by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.