12 best paraffin face masks

Paraffin masks, which you can do yourself at home, are an excellent alternative to salon cosmetic procedures. Journalists asked experts about the benefits of paraffin for facial skin, about how to properly make masks. And also about what are the best recipes for the preparation of paraffin-based preparations for cosmetic procedures.

What is paraffin and what is its use

Cosmetic paraffin is a synthetic substance that consists of hydrocarbons and is obtained from oil. Outwardly and to the touch, it looks like beeswax, but it is not yellow, but white. The unique quality of this material is considered to be a high rate of heat capacity, that is, the ability to retain heat after heating. This makes it possible with the help of paraffin to carry out deep heating of individual zones of the body and underlying tissues.

Paraffin, which is used in cosmetology, has a high safety profile, as it goes through all possible stages of purification. In its pure form, it does not contain impurities harmful to the skin. When used correctly, paraffin wax does not cause side reactions, allergies or other types of complications.

There are several types of paraffin masks. There are drugs that are made exclusively from paraffin. On sale you can also find numerous cosmetic products for masks based on paraffin and with the addition of plant extracts, honey, as well as chocolate and other substances potentially useful for the epidermis. Such combination preparations have a stronger effect on the skin, but the more ingredients in the paraffin mask, the more expensive it is. Experts warn that the substances contained in the masks can cause allergies. Therefore, before applying a paraffin mask to the face, it is recommended to test the composition on a small area of ​​skin, for example, on the wrist or elbow bend. If no symptoms of individual hypersensitivity appear on the skin within 15-30 minutes after applying the drug, it means that there are no substances in the paraffins of the mask that cause you allergies.

The beneficial properties of a paraffin mask for the skin are manifested in the following:

1. Paraffin covers the skin with a dense layer, creating the effect of a sauna, the temperature effect is long-lasting and even. Under the influence of heat, the pores of the skin open as much as possible, dirt, sebum, sebaceous plugs, toxins, decay products and other harmful substances that negatively affect the epidermis come out of them.

2. Under the influence of heat, metabolic processes are activated in the deep layers of the epidermis, the breakdown of fats is intensified, and the resorption of scars and infiltrates is accelerated.

3. If there are additional useful components in the composition of a paraffin face mask, then they, blocked by a frozen layer of the substance, penetrate deeply into the cells of the skin. The skin is saturated with vitamins, micro- and macroelements, other biologically active, vital substances.

4. The paraffin mask well relaxes the muscles of the face, while at the same time providing a tonic effect. As a result, a lifting effect can be obtained due to the slight contraction of the fibers.

5. Being a kind of stress factor for the skin, the paraffin mask helps to intensify the production of collagen and elastane.

6. Internal resources of the epidermis are involved, self-healing processes are intensified, due to which minor skin lesions heal better.

7. Facial skin is whitened and rejuvenated.

8. The work of the sweat and sebaceous glands is normalized.

9. The stratum corneum of the dermis is effectively exfoliated.

10. Cooling down, the paraffin mask begins to shrink little by little, resulting in a light massage effect.

As you can see, paraffin face masks are very useful. They do not need to be done often, but the schedule depends on several factors:

1. The condition of the skin. If paraffin masks are made as a prevention of aging and wilting of the facial skin, the procedures can be carried out 1 time in 7 days. If the condition of the skin is unsatisfactory, there are significant cosmetic defects, you can do paraffin masks more often – 1 time in 2-3 days. However, the frequency of the procedures should be discussed with a specialist.

2. Season. In winter and spring, the skin of the face is most intensely exposed to the negative effects of internal and external factors. Frost and snow, cold wind, deficiency of vitamins and minerals – all this contributes to a decrease in local immunity. The skin needs support not only from the inside, but also from the outside. Therefore, you need to make paraffin masks with additional nutritional components. And in summer and early autumn, you can give your skin a break from cosmetic procedures.

In any case, before starting to make paraffin masks, it is recommended to undergo a diagnosis and consult a dermatologist or cosmetologist.

How long does it take to make paraffin masks to see the result

The journalists asked the experts how many procedures with paraffin should be done in order to evaluate the effectiveness of this technique. It turns out that a significant result can be seen already after the first procedure. The face will freshen up, it will look more toned, the color of the skin will normalize, the skin will become soft and velvety. However, this effect will pass quickly enough. For the result to be persistent and more pronounced, you need to make 10-15 paraffin masks at regular intervals. Since the mask acts on the skin gently, sparingly, the epidermis does not recover as quickly as after salon procedures. But his condition will normalize more and more actively, since the cumulative effect of paraffin therapy acts here.

Indications for the use of paraffin masks

Due to the wide spectrum of action of paraffin masks, they have many indications for use:

1. Disruption of the sebaceous glands, enlarged pores, sebaceous plugs, comedones, a few pimples.

2. Lack of nutrients and oxygen, the skin is sluggish, has a grayish, yellowish, greenish tint.

3. Insufficient moisture of the skin, a decrease in the ability of the epidermis to retain moisture.

4. Increased fat content of the skin, oily sheen in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin, cheeks).

5. The appearance of foci of irritation, redness, peeling.

6. Decreased tone of the skin of the face. The drooping of the corners of the eyes, lips, the appearance of the first age-related wrinkles.

7. Swelling of the face.

8. Presence of small scars and scars.

9. The presence of age spots.

Paraffin masks can be done even if there are no visible cosmetic problems yet. In this case, the procedures will help to slow down the aging process of the facial skin. This is an excellent prevention of early age-related changes.

Contraindications for the use of paraffin masks

Despite the fact that paraffin masks are used everywhere, there are a number of contraindications, in which cosmetic procedures should be abandoned:

1. Couperosis, that is, a noticeable vascular network on the face.

2. High blood pressure and any pathology of the cardiovascular system, blood diseases.

3. Large amount of facial hair in the treatment area.

4. Bronchial asthma.

5. The presence of volumetric neoplasms on the skin of the face (moles protruding above the skin, warts).

6. Any oncological, infectious and inflammatory diseases.

7. Severe acne.

8. Hypersensitivity of the skin.

9. Diabetes.

10. Poor health, weakness.

11. General contraindications for thermal treatments.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, it is also better not to take risks and not make warm paraffin masks. Or, at least, consult with your doctor beforehand.

The best paraffin masks – recipes for self-preparation of drugs

The very sequence of preparing the mask is always the same. Paraffin is heated in a water bath to 50 degrees, after which additional components are introduced into it. The amount of paraffin is also always the same – 50 grams.

What can be added to the drug to improve its therapeutic and preventive properties:

1. One ampoule of vitamins A and E. Liquid vitamins can be bought at the pharmacy, as well as cosmetic white paraffin.

2. Two raw egg whites and a couple of drops of white currant juice.

3. One quail egg yolk and two teaspoons of watermelon juice.

4. Puree from the pulp of one small ripe peach.

5. A few drops of tea tree oil and 25 grams of zinc ointment.

6. Three drops of almond oil and a tablespoon of natural honey.

7. Two drops each of grapefruit, lemon and orange oil.

8. One teaspoon of dried and powdered orange peel.

9. Beeswax – 25 grams, two vitamin E capsules.

10. One tablespoon each of honey and rice oil.

11. Several teaspoons of aloe juice, one teaspoon of rosehip oil.

12. One teaspoon each of cocoa butter and grape seed oil.

Oil compositions can be changed according to your own taste, focusing on the needs and reactions of the skin. Experiment with the oils listed, and use soy, lavender, rose oils, or others.

You can also prepare cosmetic masks from paraffin, which already contains useful additives – aloe vera, chocolate, shea butter, jojoba, lime, lanolin, essential oils and other components.

Preparation for the procedure

In order to make an effective paraffin mask, you need to prepare:

1. Buy a special cosmetic paraffin or a ready-made paraffin mask. The product can be sold in large briquettes, which are enough for several procedures. For one session, 50 grams of the product is enough, so it makes no sense to heat the entire briquette. It is better to cut off the desired piece, and wrap the rest tightly and store at room temperature in a dark place.

2. Buy a spatula to stir the paraffin while it dissolves by heating in a water bath. And also a special cosmetic brush for applying the product to the face.

3. Prepare gauze, bandage, or cloth with holes for the eyes and mouth. You can sew a napkin yourself or buy a finished product.

4. Cleanse the skin of cosmetics, dirt and sebum. You can use a makeup remover followed by running water. Experts do not advise using alcohol-based make-up removers before performing a cosmetic procedure with hot paraffin, so as not to expose the skin to negative effects.

5. Carry out a light scrubbing of the skin in order to remove keratinized particles.

6. Apply some vegetable oil to dry skin. You can use sunflower, olive or any other. Specialists in beauty salons and cosmetology clinics do not apply oil under the mask, but an emulsion “Collagen-Elastin” for deep skin hydration. In tandem with paraffin, the result is simply excellent.

7. Take care of hair protection. Since it will be difficult and painful to remove frozen paraffin from the curls, it is recommended to tie a scarf on your head or use a special protective cap.

8. To prevent the melted composition from dripping onto the neck and staining your clothes, you need to tie a wide piece of fabric around your neck.

9. A paraffin mask is prepared immediately before the procedure, when all the necessary preparatory measures have already been taken. Place the paraffin in a wide-necked glass or metal container (a small saucepan). Heat the agent in a water bath until it is completely dissolved, the temperature of the drug should be about 50 degrees. That is, the paraffin must be liquid, hot, but not scalding. Make sure that no water gets into the preparation, dishes and accessories must be dry. If you add any other ingredients to the mask, do so just before applying the paraffin to your face.

10. Before applying the product, make sure that its temperature is tolerable and will not cause burns to the skin of the face. Place the melted paraffin wax on the inside of your wrist. If there is no discomfort, then you can make a mask.

11. Instead of a saucepan for heating the preparation, you can use a special bath – a paraffin melter. Such a device is used in beauty salons and cosmetic clinics. You can buy it from a specialist store. However, such a purchase is advisable only if you plan to make paraffin masks regularly, for a long time.

Applying a paraffin mask to the face

If there is an assistant nearby, it is better for him to apply the mask on your face. In this case, you can lie down, put cotton pads on your eyelids to protect your eyes. If you are performing the procedure yourself, proceed carefully so that the hot drug does not drip onto your eyelids.

To apply the paraffin mask to your face, stand in front of a mirror, dip a brush or spatula into the melted preparation, apply the first layer, starting from the forehead and ending with the chin. Make sure to apply paraffin wax along the massage lines so as not to provoke stretching of the skin. The eyebrows, the area around the eyes and the mouth are not affected. The first layer is covered with a slotted napkin or pieces of gauze. It is important not to cover the lower part of the napkin with paraffin, it should hang freely so that later the ends can be pulled and removed from the face along with the frozen paraffin. On top of the napkin, you need to apply four more layers of the drug, each of which should harden a little before applying the next. Take a horizontal or semi-recumbent position, relax for 20-25 minutes.

The second option for applying a paraffin mask is to tighten sagging cheeks (wings), against sagging skin under the chin. To do this, you need to take a bandage, put it in heated paraffin. First, the drug is applied to the area of ​​the double chin, lower jaw, cheeks. Then a bandage is taken out of the paraffin and applied to the treatment area, as if tying the jaw. The clean ends of the bandage should be in the ears, the middle – under the chin and under the lower lip. Then four more layers of the preparation are applied. When the product dries, the bandage can be fixed with a dry bandage, tying it on the crown.

If, after applying five layers of paraffin wax, you still have unused surplus, you can apply it to the décolleté area. Paraffin that has been heated once can theoretically be reheated for the next procedure. But it is better not to do this, since there is no complete certainty that the drug will not lose quality.

When the paraffin mask hardens and cools, pull the ends of the fabric, remove it from the face, starting from the chin. Before the pores are closed, wash with warm water and apply a nourishing, moisturizing cream to your face.

Features of using paraffin face masks

If you have combination skin with local defects, or if you need to eliminate wrinkles on a specific area of ​​the face, you can apply the paraffin mass not to the entire face, but to problem areas.

It is recommended to carry out a cosmetic procedure before going to bed or in the afternoon on the weekend, when you do not need to go anywhere. It is advisable not to expose the skin of the face to ultraviolet rays and other external factors immediately after the paraffin mask has been made. Especially in winter, because sudden changes in temperature can cause vasospasm, and the appearance of a vascular mesh on the face. Make-up is also not recommended to be applied within a few hours after the paraffin procedure. The cosmetics will clog the pores and the effect of the procedure will fade away.

Benefits of paraffin face masks

The main advantage of homemade paraffin masks is their cost. A package of simple paraffin can be bought at a pharmacy, for 250 grams you will be charged a little more than 100-150 rubles. Some more money will have to be spent on additional components of the drug – oils, vitamins. But they are also inexpensive. Even if you buy a cosmetic product with a variety of additives, it is also quite cheap, and it is enough for many procedures. But in the salon paraffin therapy will cost from 600 to 2000 rubles and more. It all depends on the level of the cosmetology clinic, the region and the quality of the materials. The savings are evident.

Also, paraffin masks have additional advantages:

1. High efficiency, quick positive changes, while passing the course – achieving a lasting result.

2. Versatility – if there are no contraindications, paraffin masks can be done for any skin type. Paraffin has a beneficial effect on oily and dry, combined, dehydrated, problematic and aging dermis.

3. Ease of use. All the recipes are simple, you don't need to spend a lot of time preparing the mask.

4. Paraffin is removed very well and painlessly from the skin of the face. Once it is completely cured, it can be broken off piece by piece, even if you haven't used a cloth.

5. With the observance of precautions, there are no side effects and allergic reactions.

6. Safe composition of the drug.

7. To carry out a cosmetic procedure, you do not need to waste time on a trip to the clinic. You can make masks at any time convenient for you.

It is thanks to these advantages that homemade paraffin masks are popular with women around the world.

Can cold paraffin be used on the face

If you are interested in paraffin therapy, then in the assortment of cosmetic and perfume stores you will find such a drug as cold paraffin or paraffin cream. Its effect on the skin is as effective as that of its heated counterpart. But cosmetologists do not use this product to restore facial skin. It is only suitable for hands and feet.

Can hot paraffin masks be done on other parts of the body

Experts answer this question positively. If you do not have the above contraindications, then such procedures, the so-called wraps, can be done on any problem area of ​​the body. This drug will not only heal the skin, but will also help eliminate cellulite.

How can you replace paraffin in hot face masks

Paraffin can be replaced with another highly effective product – beeswax. This is a natural preparation, it is extremely useful in itself, including for the skin of the face. If paraffin is a refined product, like, for example, gasoline, then the wax that bees produce is a real storehouse of useful substances. The wax contains propolis, pollen and more than 50 nutrients, including:

1. Saturated hydrocarbons.

2. Fatty acid.

3. Carotenoids.

4. Natural antibiotics.

5. Substances with bactericidal properties.

6. Minerals.

7. Vitamins, including a large amount of youthful vitamin A.

It is quite obvious that beeswax is much healthier for the epidermis than paraffin, if you are not allergic to bee products. However, there are two difficulties associated with its application. First, the wax is highly flammable. Leaving it unattended on the stove could result in a fire. Secondly, in order for the wax to melt, you will need to heat it to at least 62 degrees. It will begin to soften at a temperature of 35 degrees, but still it will have to be heated even more so that the product becomes plastic enough to be applied to the skin of the face. As a result, we get a mixture that can burn the skin. Therefore, use the wax with extreme caution. First, heat to the desired temperature, then dip the brush, let it cool for a couple of seconds, drip on the wrist. If the wax applied to the skin of the hand does not cause painful sensations, you can quickly spread it over the face area until the mass hardens again. Then everything is done in the same way as when using paraffin – a cloth napkin is applied, another 3-4 layers of wax coating are performed with care.

In wax, as well as in paraffin, you can add a variety of additives, for example, vegetable oils. This will increase the effectiveness of the procedure.

Where to get wax for cosmetic procedures? In the same place as paraffin, as well as in grocery stores, in markets. There is a completely white bee product, but it can also be a rich yellow color (this preparation is called foundation). It is believed that the best wax is obtained after melting. But not with the help of artificial heating, but in direct sunlight. Under the influence of ultraviolet light, the drug changes color from yellow to white.

Another great way to get natural mask wax is to buy combs from private beekeepers, which are left over after honey is extracted. A more natural product is hard to find on the market today. Re-melt the honeycomb in a bain-marie in the same way as the finished wax, and you have a great remedy with a little honey for a hot face mask.

How to improve the effectiveness of paraffin masks

The condition of the facial skin is directly related to the general level of human health. Therefore, no cosmetic masks will be effective if the body as a whole is depleted due to improper lifestyle and other negative factors.

To make cosmetic procedures using paraffin the most effective, follow these guidelines:

1. Set aside at least 8-9 hours of sleep at night. If you don't get enough sleep, your face will look swollen, dull and sore.

2. Create a rational menu that includes dishes from cereals, meat, vegetables and fruits. Thus, you will ensure the flow of vitamins and other biologically active substances into the skin from the inside.

3. Drink clean water. The human body needs fluids every day. And it's not about drinks or liquid food, but about water. You need to drink from 1.5 to 2.5 liters of water per day (depending on the level of physical activity of a person). If this is not done, dehydration will affect the condition of the facial skin. It will become dry and flabby, and fade faster.

4. Move more throughout the day, especially if you have a sedentary job. Physical activity has a beneficial effect on the course of metabolic processes in the skin and contributes to the saturation of the body with oxygen.

5. When going outside, apply sunscreen on your face. Thus, you will protect the epidermis from ultraviolet rays.

6. If possible, give up bad habits. Overeating, eating what is considered fast food, smoking and drinking alcohol all negatively affects the condition of the skin on the face. Especially smoking, which lowers the oxygen saturation of the blood.

As you can see, there is nothing difficult in increasing the effectiveness of paraffin face masks and slowing down the aging process of the body.

---