A substance made from petroleum is called paraffin. It has a translucent structure and is insoluble in acids, except nitric and chromic acid. Petroleum wax is white.
Paraffin was discovered in 1830 by a German. He developed oil refining and, as a by-product, obtained paraffin. His discovery made it possible to replace candles made with animal fat. Paraffin was cheaper and burned cleaner. The low melting point was a disadvantage in the production of candles; the problem was solved by adding stearin.
Types of paraffin
Depending on the melting point, paraffins are divided into liquid, solid and microcrystalline. According to the degree of purification, they are divided into purified and unrefined. The former contain a large percentage of oil (up to 30% by weight), while the unrefined ones contain only 6%. The color of paraffin indicates the degree of its purification. White is refined, and yellow or brown is unrefined.
There are many ways to use paraffin at home: treatment and warming with it, cosmetic procedures, making candles and various other creative items. To carry out cosmetic procedures at home, you need to know how to melt paraffin at home.
How to melt depilatory wax at home
When women begin to master the method of wax hair removal, they are often faced with two questions: how to melt wax at home, and how to wash off the wax after depilation? Not knowing the answer to this question can lead to unpleasant consequences and reduce the effectiveness of the procedure to a minimum.
Using a wax melter
The waxing procedure involves the use of hot, warm or cold wax. If everything is simple with a cold composition (it is applied on special strips and all you need to do before use is warm it up in your hands), then in order to do hair removal with a hot or warm product, you need to warm it up.
This wax is sold in jars, cassettes or cartridges; each package contains instructions on how to properly heat the product and to what temperature, which is important, because if the mixture is heated too much, you can get burns; if it is too little, the wax will not be able to remove effectively excess hair.
To melt wax, it is best to use a special device called a wax melter. According to reviews, it is not necessary to chase a branded model (for example, Beurer); the simplest Chinese device is quite suitable for these purposes.
It should be noted here that a branded device not only has additional features that can facilitate the procedure, but also provides a warranty and a service center, while cheap devices in the event of a breakdown will be more difficult to repair due to problems with spare parts.
A wax depilator is designed to heat the wax placed in a cartridge to the required temperature (each device has its own characteristics, so you need to study the instructions), and then apply a thin, even layer to the skin, which is difficult to do on your own. At the same time, the device provides protection that protects the skin from burns.
Microwave and steam bath
If you can’t get a wax melter, don’t despair; the product can be heated at home without the use of special equipment.
To do this, it is enough to have a microwave; if you don’t have one, you can make a water bath.
You should arm yourself with a bowl, a cosmetic spatula and a special thermometer, with which you can determine the temperature of the heated mass.
To melt the wax in the microwave, you need to put the jar in the oven, having first completely removed the foil. The heating time largely depends on the amount of product and the set temperature (the exact parameters that need to be set are usually indicated on the packaging). In most cases, it takes thirty to sixty seconds to heat the wax to the desired warmth.
If you don’t have a microwave at home, you can melt the wax at home in a water bath, and in this way you can also melt a solid piece that is sold in briquettes or granules.
If you need to heat up hard wax, you need to cut it into small pieces or grate it, put it in a container, then fill a large pan with water and place the container with wax in it.
In this case, you need to make sure that the amount of water does not exceed the wax level.
After this, put the pan on the stove, turn up the gas to maximum and leave to heat, carefully ensuring that moisture does not get into the melting mass, otherwise during the procedure the product may cause a burn and the quality of hair removal will be worse. As soon as the water boils, turn the heat to low and continue heating for five to ten minutes, making sure that the mixture does not boil. The wax melting process will be completed when all its particles are converted into a homogeneous mass.
Before using the product, you need to check its temperature, otherwise you may get burned. It should be kept in mind that the higher the temperature of the mass, the more painless the procedure. It is believed that the optimal temperature for hot wax is from 42 to 45°C, for warm wax – from 35 to 37°C.
In order for the mass to be at the same temperature, it must be mixed well, moving from the center to the edges (this can be done already during melting, when the product begins to melt). If the thermometer shows the desired temperature, before applying, you need to apply wax to the inside of your wrist and make sure that the warmth does not cause discomfort.
Several ways to melt paraffin
It is worth understanding that paraffin left over from burnt candles is not suitable for cosmetic procedures. For this purpose, special cosmetic paraffin is used. It can be purchased at pharmacies or specialty stores. Do you know how to melt paraffin? The easiest way is a water bath. To do this, you will need two metal containers of different diameters, water for heating and a thermometer. Stages:
- Pour about a third of water into a larger diameter container and boil it on the stove.
- Chop the paraffin into small pieces. It is most convenient to do this on newspaper or large format paper. When cutting, the paraffin will crumble. To do everything carefully and not lose the valuable substance, the litter will come in handy.
- Place the finely chopped paraffin in a container of smaller diameter and shake off the crumbs from the newspaper there.
- After the water boils, measure its temperature with a thermometer; it should show no more than 55 - 80 °C. At higher temperatures, the paraffin will begin to evaporate.
- Reduce the gas and place a smaller container on top of the boiling water so that its bottom touches the water.
- Stir the paraffin with a metal spoon until it completely melts.
- When melting, the volume of the substance in the container will decrease. If it is not enough, you can add a few more pieces to the already melted paraffin.
Make sure the container is completely dry before melting the paraffin. Water ingress into liquid paraffin is strictly prohibited. When it comes into contact with water, the hot mass will shoot and splash, and contact with the skin may cause a burn.
How to properly heat paraffin
A special bath is usually used to heat the paraffin. In a paraffin therapy bath, paraffin is loaded into the bath and melted for 1-2 hours. The paraffin therapy bath is convenient because you do not need to remove the paraffin and clean the container after each procedure; the manufacturer advises changing the paraffin and cleaning the device only every 100 procedures.
You will be able to maintain the paraffin temperature you need throughout the entire procedure and you will not have to additionally heat or wait for the paraffin to cool, as is the case with a water bath. Dip your hands and feet into the bath; you don’t need a brush.
An alternative is a regular water bath. The container with paraffin is placed on a colander, which is located above the steam of boiling water.
A special bath is usually used to heat paraffin
This may take a little longer, but if a special device is not available, steam heating is also suitable. With this type of heating, care must be taken to ensure that no water gets into the paraffin.
Can paraffin be melted in a microwave or oven?
Now let's find out other nuances of this process. So, many, in search of an answer to the question of how to melt paraffin at home, think about the possibility of doing it in a microwave or oven. Indeed, it is possible to do this.
In the first case, you should set the defrost mode and melt the paraffin for 2-3 minutes, after crushing it. Be sure to cover the paraffin container with a lid and use microwave-safe containers.
In the oven, paraffin can be melted at a temperature of 70-80 ° C. Be extremely careful when removing a container of melted material. Allow the mixture to cool slightly to avoid burns if the hot liquid comes into contact with your skin.
Warming up the paraffin
Hot paraffin is usually sold in 500 gram bars in solid form, so it must be melted before the procedure. This can be done in several ways: on a kitchen stove and in special paraffin heaters.
Warming up paraffin in a paraffin bath
In a paraffin therapy bath, paraffin is loaded into the bath and melted for 1-2 hours. The paraffin therapy bath is convenient because you do not need to remove the paraffin and clean the container after each procedure; the manufacturer advises changing the paraffin and cleaning the device only every 100 procedures.
You can heat paraffin in several ways on a kitchen stove and in special paraffin heaters
Warming up paraffin in a heater for wax and paraffin
In addition to electric baths, there are also heaters for wax and paraffin. Just like baths, they melt paraffin and wax and are able to maintain temperature. The difference between the heater is only in volume. If you need 1.5-2 kg of paraffin for a bath, then the heater holds 400 or 800 grams of paraffin.
Paraffin therapy is a great way to take care of the skin of your hands and face in winter
The use of hot paraffin is widely used in cosmetology. These treatments make the skin velvety and smooth and are a good way to restore its elasticity. You already know how to melt paraffin in a water bath, and in beauty salons they use special melting baths for this. To carry out one procedure, you need to melt half a kilo of paraffin. This process looks like this:
- Before melting the paraffin and starting to create a mask for your hands, wash them well and lubricate them with moisturizer. The principle of operation of a paraffin mask is that it warms up the skin of the hands, opens pores and improves blood circulation, allowing the upper layers of the epidermis to absorb the beneficial components of creams better than usual.
- Dip your hands into liquid paraffin that has cooled to a tolerable temperature, completely straightening your fingers so that the liquid covers the entire skin of your hands. Repeat the procedure several times, allowing the paraffin to harden a little after each time you put your hands in the container. Thus, a layer of paraffin will appear on the brushes, completely enveloping them.
- After this, hands with warm paraffin should be wrapped in cling film, polyethylene, or put on plastic gloves. Wrap your hands in a terry towel over your gloves and keep it there for about 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, you can remove the paraffin from your hands and apply a nourishing cream.
As mentioned above, for this procedure it is necessary to use special cosmetic paraffin. It is strictly contraindicated to make these baths from yellow, unrefined paraffin. It contains substances that have a harmful effect on the skin. Using a cosmetic substance, you can be sure that you will not harm your hands. In addition, it is often produced with the addition of various essential oils and nutritional components.
How to warm up paraffin
Although many girls are accustomed to heating paraffin in a water bath and do a good job with it, it is much more convenient to do this using special electric baths. Sometimes paraffin is heated in the microwave. This is a rather risky method, since it is difficult to calculate the required power and time for warming up. If you overheat it, the paraffin may even evaporate a little, making it difficult to clean it from the walls of the microwave.
Usually girls who are just starting to do paraffin treatments heat the paraffin in a water bath. To do this, place an enamel vessel, such as a bowl, on a pan of water. Place paraffin in a bowl. Then the pan is put on fire. Gradually the water in it heats up, more or less evenly heating the piece of paraffin in the bowl.
You can warm up the paraffin using paraffin boots.
You will need two identical pieces of paraffin (ozokerite), such as to wrap the child’s legs from the tips of the fingers to the knees. Paraffin cakes are applied to the back surface of the leg starting from the popliteal fossa, and then the ends of the cake are folded onto the front surface of the leg and foot, the leg is completely wrapped in paraffin, it looks like a boot.
On top of the paraffin, the leg is wrapped in cellophane or oilcloth. To fix the paraffin, you can use an elastic mesh bandage. Then the legs can be wrapped in a diaper or put on top of dad’s or mom’s woolen socks.
The effect of paraffin therapy
The described hand baths and face masks have a complex therapeutic effect on the skin and joints. Paraffin therapy is recommended in the presence of peeling and microcracks on the skin, pigmentation, frostbite, arthritis and arthrosis. This procedure also has a targeted restorative effect on the nail plate; if the nails are peeling or often break, paraffin therapy is perfect for restoring their structure.
The effect is amazing...
A paraffin mask tones the skin well and improves its elasticity, so it is especially recommended for aging, sagging skin.
It moisturizes the skin well and helps smooth out fine wrinkles. Gentle, long-term heating provided by a paraffin mask improves blood circulation, thereby improving skin nutrition and saturation with oxygen, which promotes cellular renewal. Thanks to deep heating of the skin, lymphatic drainage also improves - puffiness disappears from the face, the skin tightens, and the facial contour improves. Important You should not make paraffin masks for pustular inflammation of the skin, spider veins and stars on the face: this can worsen the condition of the skin.
A paraffin mask also has a good cleansing effect: under its action, pores open and sebaceous plugs come out, it helps to soften the stratum corneum of the skin and remove dead cells. This mask is especially recommended in winter, when the skin suffers from dryness. And after it the skin takes on the appearance as if you had just left the cosmetologist.
Contraindications
Procedures with hot paraffin are not recommended in the following cases:
- for open wounds on the skin of the hands and face;
- purulent inflammation;
- fungal diseases and eczema;
- diabetes;
- vascular diseases;
- asthma.
The beneficial qualities of paraffin do not end there. It is often used for home heating for bronchitis and common colds. Here it is also important to use a special cosmetic substance, which can be purchased in pharmacies or specialty stores.
Which form of wax for home hair removal should I choose?
Well, have you already chosen the right option for yourself? In fact, there is another classification of depilatory wax - according to the form of release. If you come to the store and contact a consultant, he will offer you several options for wax: in a jar, in granules, in cartridges or in cassettes. The cosmetics industry does not stand still, and wax will probably appear in some form soon. What to choose in the store? To do this, you need to know the features of the products presented in cosmetics stores.
Film wax granules
Film wax is a type of hot wax that has the benefits of warm waxing. How to use film wax for depilation? This wax is applied in a layer with a special spatula to the treated area of the body, and after hardening it is torn off along with excess hairs - the sequence of actions is almost the same as when working with hot wax.
Advantages of film wax:
- Delicate smooth skin as a result;
- Low risk of burns due to lower melting point;
- Low consumption, as it is applied in a fairly thin layer;
- It does not break when removed, as it contains rubber;
- It is evenly distributed and manages to warm up the hair follicles before they cool down;
- Suitable for hard to reach and sensitive areas.
Film wax is often available in granule form. You take several granules from the package according to the instructions and the surface area to be treated, melt them in a wax melter to the consistency of sour cream and apply to the skin. After hardening, quickly remove the wax. A cooling and antiseptic agent should then be used.
Film wax is also available in cartridges: in this case, the wax in the wax melter is placed directly into them. The only inconvenience of such wax is that it will not be very convenient for them to work on large areas of the body.
There are usually several brands of depilatory wax on store shelves. Among film waxes, the brands “Depilica”, “White Line”, “Beauty Image” have earned a good reputation. The latter brand produces wax both in cans and in the form of disks, and in the form of granules. Film wax granules of the “Beauty Image” brand have a very attractive name “White Chocolate”.
How to use depilatory wax in granules is quite clear. This type of film wax has many advantages. But there are also disadvantages. In using such wax you need experience: you need to correctly calculate the number of granules, melt them to the required temperature, so as not to melt the substance into a liquid state, and not to cause the wax to crumble when applied. Film wax is still a professional depilatory product and requires skillful hands.
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Wax in cartridges
Next, we will answer the question: how to use depilation cartridges? The sequence of actions is similar to the previous algorithms. The only difference is that the wax is applied not with a spatula or spatula, but with the help of the cartridge itself, on which the nozzle is placed.
First, the cartridge with wax is placed in a wax melter, heated to the desired temperature, then the nozzle is put on it. Next, through the nozzle, you apply a thin layer of wax to the surface to be treated, and after a few seconds, remove it along with the hairs.
Advantages of wax cartridges:
- Very convenient and safe - you don’t have a jar of hot wax standing next to you, which you can accidentally tip over yourself;
- Very economical - the consumption of funds is very small;
- Available for all skin types and hair of any thickness - you can choose a product taking into account your characteristics;
- The structure of the substance varies: gel wax is hypoallergenic;
- cream wax is suitable for those with sensitive and dry skin;
- classic wax with a thin consistency is recommended for sensitive areas.
In addition, wax in cartridges is also available for narrow roller applicators. How to use roller wax for depilation? Everything here is the same as with a regular cartridge, just instead of a nozzle there is a small roller. This procedure is suitable for removing excess hair in delicate areas.
Wax in cassettes
Wax in cassettes is also, in fact, roller wax for depilation. Wax cassettes are a relatively new form of production of this product for removing excess hair, so problems may arise with its acquisition, since cassette wax in ordinary cosmetics stores may not be among the assortment.
How to use depilatory wax in cassettes? First, you insert the cassette into the warmer and heat the wax for a while - according to the instructions. After the wax heats up, you roll the cassette roller over the skin prepared for depilation. Then you apply the paper, iron it and tear it off against the hair growth.
Here we should immediately note several disadvantages of this procedure:
- You can process the same area a maximum of two times in a row, so if any hairs remain, they will have to be removed with tweezers;
- Such depilation is unlikely to be suitable for the armpits, bikini area and certain areas of the face - these areas are very sensitive and you simply cannot endure the pain;
- There are many side effects if performed incorrectly - minor bruises, severe redness.
If, after all, this type of depilation wax suits you, then do not neglect caring for your skin. Carefully remove wax residues with oil, apply moisturizers, and do not visit the bathhouse, sauna, beach or solarium for two to three days after hair removal - let your skin rest and recover. Don't forget to lightly exfoliate after a while to prevent ingrown hairs.
One of the main recommendations when using cassette wax is to care for the cassette roller itself. After the procedure, it must be thoroughly cleaned - before the next procedure, it must be absolutely clean! Otherwise, you may become infected.
Well, we told you all about wax, its types and forms. But many will ask, what else is needed for waxing? If you have finally decided on this depilation method, then you simply need to purchase a wax melter.
Chemical properties of paraffin:
Paraffins are inert to most chemicals. They are oxidized by nitric acid, atmospheric oxygen (at 140 °C and above) and some other oxidizing agents to form various fatty acids, similar to fatty acids contained in fats of plant and animal origin.
Reacts with chlorine to form chlorinated paraffins.
How to melt paraffin: step-by-step instructions, simple and effective methods
Paraffin is a mixture of hydrocarbons, a wax-like substance with a low melting point. It is obtained from oil and is widely used in industry, cosmetology and other industries. When melted, paraffin turns into a clear liquid. Candles are made from it and used as a lubricant in the manufacture of wooden furniture. Vaseline is made from paraffin, which is part of anti-corrosion coatings. It is also used in cosmetology for paraffin therapy procedures; it is even used to lubricate skis and bicycle chains. The scope of application of this substance is very wide and, most likely, paraffin products are found in every home.
