Paraffin Dips - how to use?

[flozrockz]

I have a question about adding paraffin dips to massage treatments as an add-on in a spa environment.

We have 3 treatment rooms. I assume I would need a paraffin bath for each room? Maybe I could just start with one room and if it's popular then outfit the other rooms.

But my main question is the portability of the unit. I am assuming you would give the dip while they are on the table. So how do I get the bath over there and at the right height? If I had a rolling table, doing the hands might be easy enough, though the unit would probably have to be unplugged while I rolled it around. But the feet? It seems it'd be easier to get them to dip while seated. But then they have to walk over to the table to get on? If they were to dip their feet from the table, I'm still just not sure where to put the bath that would allow easily dipping their foot down into it.

I'm sure I'm making some wrong assumptions, but I'm just baffled about how this might be integrated into a table treatment. Maybe it's only intended for a manicure/pedicure/reflexology type seated treatment? Any insights would be appreciated.

 

[Soar]

Paraffin Dips - how to use?

I usually offer a hand treatment after their massage. If I incorporate it into my massage, I dip a folded papertowel into the paraffin and place on problem area. I use that the most on the spine. I charge 10 extra for hand treatment unless it's my Senior clients. Their smiles when they envelop their hands in that warmth is payment enough. As for the spine treatment I just throw that in. Makes my job easier and relaxes the muscles in a feel good way for the client. Win-Win.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Paraffin Dips - how to use?

I pour some paraffin into the plastic bag, place on the hand or foot, massage the paraffin around so it covers the hand or foot, place the mitt or bootie on and then proceed with the massage removing when I get to that area. just have to make sure when placing on that you dont tilt it up until the paraffin cools some or will run up the arm or leg.

 

[Grannyjill]

Paraffin Dips - how to use?

I use the Sani-Strips that barbers use on men's necks to keep the hair off. I dip those into the paraffin and wrap around the area needed, then cover with a plastic bag to keep the heat in longer. It is the most sanitary way to do it. Those paraffin heaters aren't warm enough to kill any bacteria, fungi, etc. It just takes one person with an open wound to dip and cause problems for themselves or others in terms of acquired infections. It is basically a petri dish! Our Esthetics instructor taught us this method and I have used it ever since and have had peace of mind, knowing I was keeping things super clean. Also, those strips are really cheap at the beauty supply stores.

 

[nestprop]

Paraffin Dips - how to use?

How would those strips wrap around the fingers? Is it fairly easy?

I had come across this page on the Therabath website: http://www.therabathpro.com/hygiene.php

It basically says that it IS in fact sanitary and links to some research. I did read the links. While they are not in peer reviewed journals, they do appear to be better than some website someone put up. I'd be interested to see similar research or better exists against the practice.

Even so, the strips and the bag methods seem like more portable ways of doing it anyway.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Paraffin Dips - how to use?

Side note: If you can ever find the Peach Parrafin dip, it is really nice.

 

[Ray B]

Paraffin Dips - how to use?

I haven't used them on fingers, but I think you could cut them fairly small before you start. It could be a bit tricky to dip them though without getting yourself immersed in paraffin. Sorry, I would have to think about that one. t017

 

[Pompal 09.]

Paraffin Dips - how to use?

I pour some paraffin into the plastic bag, place on the hand or foot, massage the paraffin around so it covers the hand or foot, place the mitt or bootie on and then proceed with the massage removing when I get to that area. just have to make sure when placing on that you dont tilt it up until the paraffin cools some or will run up the arm or leg.

This is what I do. It keeps your unit totally sanitary, no worries.
No matter how well you would scrub the hands and feet the dead skin cells (microscopic amounts really) and debris hiding under nails can and will be deposited in the paraffin. And eventually it gets kind of cloudy and there is "stuff" on the bottom (trust me I always LOOK at how other people keep their paraffin units!).
While I do like a paraffin treatment on occassion...it is a very nice treatment especially during the winter months - and have my own unit, I would not PAY extra for the service.

I see this in most clients too. They love it for free but not to pay for.
Truly - one unit will be enough to start. See how it goes.

eta - oh I just use a little disposable paper or plastic dixie cup to dip the paraffin into the plastic bag - you get to where you know how much to use.

 

[sriteja]

Paraffin Dips - how to use?

While I do like a paraffin treatment on occassion...it is a very nice treatment especially during the winter months - and have my own unit, I would not PAY extra for the service.

I see this in most clients too. They love it for free but not to pay for.
Truly - one unit will be enough to start. See how it goes.

Hmm...so I'm now envisioning this differently. You guys are so helpful! Perhaps something I would list on the menu with a price, but mostly something I would give as an added value. Like buy 90 minutes get a free paraffin dip. Or free dips on Sunday or something, or free dips with a retail purchase of $30 or more. And of course as a nice thing my therapists could use for self-care. Does that make sense?

And if we had one unit in the main office, would it be sensible to allow therapists to make up a couple baggies for people's hands and bring them into the treatment room? Would they remain warm enough to be carried for a minute or two?

 

[Volleyballcutie2009]

Paraffin Dips - how to use?

Shiva and all,

I have found a GREAT product that has really solved any sanitation issues, is easy and quick to do during a massage, and is NOT a petroleum based product. It is a soy based paraffin that comes in several GREAT scents my clients LOVE! They DO pay extra as an add-on in my area. I get it from Universal Companies. It is called Eco-fin. I keep a couple sets in my towel cabi in case someone wants an upgrade.

You can view a video of how easy it is from the Universal Companies website, I believe. Basically all you do is drop a premeasured cube (LOVE that!) into a plastic liner, drop the liner in a reusable, washable muslin sleeve, roll it up and place in the towel cabi to melt. I have never had it be too warm to put on a client directly from the cabi. Once it is melted and warm, just slip the sleeve/liner over the hand/foot, massage it around and cover with a towel or mitt/bootie and let it do its thing for a few minutes. Their site says you can reheat this if you have any left unused at the end of the day. It is ready for use in about 20 mins. My clients LOVE how soft and young looking their and feet are after I have massaged the soy-based paraffin into the skin.

Another plus is that this is totally portable, it can be warmed in a microwave, just have to be careful how you do it since all mw ovens are different. It is also not very expensive and keeps well.

Hope this helps!

 

[Glow]

Paraffin Dips - how to use?

I love this idea! By googling "eco-fin wax" the universal companies product page was the first result and it has a link to a detailed instructional PDF. What I love about this is that no heater is required, they can just go in the towel cabi in single use baggies. And the "all natural" aspect is great. Every time I read the paraffin ingredients I kind of cringed.

I think I've found what I'm looking for, thanks Angela!

 

[i-luv-vampires]

Paraffin Dips - how to use?

I'm all about portable! I don't use parrafin, but thanks for sharing, Angela!

 

[Shannon (: 8.21.09]

Paraffin Dips - how to use?

Y'all are so welcome. Glad to finally be able to contribute something helpful to the board!

 

[DSu]

Paraffin Dips - how to use?

Angela - that is a GREAT find!
The pricing on these is much better than I have seen for other products like this.
It is truly sanitary - NON-messy - extremely convenient - and I think the actual treatment would be much more pleasant and professional for the client.

Shiva - this was the best response yet!
Most of us have the paraffin treatment on the menu and end up using it more as an upgrade or freebie add-on - but I think that you could totally sell this one.
If it were me - I would probably make the investment in this and NOT the paraffin heater and block paraffin.
Now I am totally thinking about retiring my old paraffin heater and going with this...seriouly.

Because the pricing is so good you could even do a special promotion price to introduce it if you wanted and still make some profit.

 

[shawshank]

Paraffin Dips - how to use?

Angela - that is a GREAT find!

Shiva - this was the best response yet!

I agree! I went ahead and bought enough booties/mitts/supplies to outfit three rooms, and some of the soy-wax and promotional materials. I thought that having to buy a paraffin bath for each room was prohibitively expensive, as well as seeming a bit unwieldy as far as table treatments. This solves both of those problems! I intend to put it on the menu as a for sale item. I'm curious as to what a good price point would be?

I initially thought I would charge $12 for hands or feet, or $20 for both. What do you think of that price? As an add on. Our 60 minute massage is $79 and 90 minute is $108, for reference.

And then it would also be great as a promotional item, for specials or give aways or something.

 

[i need a hug?]

Paraffin Dips - how to use?

Tell us how your clients and spa customers like it, once you've got it all set up, ok?

 

[juicygirl172]

Paraffin Dips - how to use?

I never even read this thread because I'm just not "into" petroleum-based stuff, but was thrilled to read Angela's find on the soy-based paraffin that doesn't even need it's own warmer! Now, not doing "spa stuff" (yet), we don't even have a towel cabi (YET!), but this is something I think we could start out slow with-- just adding in warmed towels for the neck and feet as the weather cools, and offering the warm soy-paraffin dips as lagniappe.... Got my brain ticking over here, for sure! Thanks for the thread, Shiva, and for the fabulous info, Angela! I'm off to take a look at the product info now.

 

[Yahoo User]

Paraffin Dips - how to use?

I love this idea! By googling "eco-fin wax" the universal companies product page was the first result and it has a link to a detailed instructional PDF. What I love about this is that no heater is required, they can just go in the towel cabi in single use baggies. And the "all natural" aspect is great. Every time I read the paraffin ingredients I kind of cringed.

I think I've found what I'm looking for, thanks Angela!

Ok, so I went and Googled "eco-fin wax", and one of the results on the front page was THIS POST! I just find that funny. And a little scary. LOL!

 

[Jessy]

Paraffin Dips - how to use?

After having this in the spa for only a few weeks, here are my thoughts:

The Goods:
-I'm very happy with the purchase! They're very easy to use, come in several fantastic scents, all natural so goes with our spa theme, and pretty cheap! Although it cost about $350 to get three rooms set up, the cost per treatment is very reasonable.
-I put it on the menu with the prices listed above and have had two people purchase the upgrade so far. In only a few weeks and with ZERO marketing it or suggesting it (just listed it on the menu) that seems pretty good to me.
-You can use other oils besides the eco-fin wax. One of my therapists was having some hand pain so he put our ayurvedic muscle/bone/joint oil concentrate in the bag and on his hand and wrapped it all up in a mitt to give him some medicinal heat therapy. Versatile.

The Neutrals:
-It's not very wax-like. At room temperature the cubes are solid, when they melt they are liquid and never solidify into any kind of form around the foot or hand. When I put the baggie around the persons foot and massage the "wax" around it's basically like coating their foot in a thick cream-like oil. Then you put the heated bootie on over this and I imagine that helps the oils absorb. When you remove the bag/bootie the foot is just covered in the moisturizer which you then massage into their foot. So I'm calling this a neutral feature because if you're looking for something exactly like paraffin, I don't think this is. On the positive side I imagine it's even MORE moisturizing than paraffin.
-The mitts and booties take up a lot of space in the towel warmer. We have the medium sized cabi with two shelves (like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/UV-HOT-TOWE...478947174?pt=US_Skin_Care&hash=item43a1e4fb66) and when we're doing towel heavy treatments it's a struggle to fit everything in. And it's frequently those towel heavy treatments that people want to add this onto. (facial, packages, etc) I might consider getting one of the double decker towel warmers at some point, esp. if this becomes more popular.
-The mitts and booties are kinda floppy. Whatever is in them (grains?herbs?) is only on one side of the mitt and only on the sole of the bootie. So you're not exactly WRAPPING your hand or foot with the heat. The heat penetrates mostly on the side where the grains are. And if the person is supine on the massage table with their toes sticking up the grains tend to settle at the bottom of the heel. I think their design would be improved by making the whole mitt/bootie filled with grains, or quilting it or something.

I don't think there is anything bad about this product. While there are things that could be improved, it suits our spa perfectly.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Paraffin Dips - how to use?

I thought I would list the ingredients for those interested. From the Eco-Fin packaging:

100% natural ingredients of palm kernel oil, soy oil, shea butter, jojoba oil, vitamin E, organic coconut oil, organic olive oil, natural and organic aromas and/or essential oils.

And another thing I noticed on the packaging was instructions for heating them with hot water. You just get a bowl of hot water (from the sink, I guess) and place the cube in the liner/baggie and then put that in the bowl. So that seems like a great work around for those without hot towel warmers. And you could heat the mitts/booties in the microwave?

Here is the list of flavors:

Happy - Raspberry/Grapefruit Blend
Muse - Cinnamon/Ginger
Escape - Peppermint Essence
Shangri-La - Jasmine/Sandalwood
Retreat - Coconut/Pineapple
Pleasure - Chocolate Essence
Dream - Vanilla Essence
Reverie - Lavender/Vanilla
Be Well - Green Tea/Aloe
Purity - Unscented