Hot Wax??

[phantomcg]

Have any of you ever used one of those hot wax machines? You know, the ones that you melt wax in and then dip your hands, feet, etc into the wax. I have heard that they are suppossed to be wonderful, but I don't know of anyone who has actually ever used one. My hands are really suffering this winter and I was wondering if these machines really do anything for your skin and just how hot does the wax actually get?

Thanks for any input you may have.

Cheryl

[SusanD]

I had a hot wax treatment once with a manicure and it felt wierd at first, but afterwards my hands were really soft! I don't recall if it lasted any longer than a healthy application of lotion, though.

[phantomcg]

Susan:

Thanks for your reply. I wondered if the effects would last or not. It just seems that I am seeing these machines in the newspaper ads, in magazines, and on TV everytime I turn around. I guess I'll just keep applying the hand cream and waiting for summer!!

Cheryl

[This message has been edited by phantomcg (edited 01-26-2001).]

[LGBurns]

I'm not sure what hand cream you use, but I highly recommend Eucerin (particularly their alpha hydroxy formula). It feels greasy when you first put it on but it absorbs quickly and I find it does a wonderful job keeping my hands soft for a long time. When I moved into cold weather country from California my skin majorly rebelled and I spent years trying to find the right lotion. My MIL is a nurse and recommended the Eucerin and, as I said, I have been very happy ever since.

[phantomcg]

Replacing my current hand cream may be my next step. I don't seem to be having any problems with dry skin anywhere other than my hands. My cuticles are really beginning to look bad. I carry a small bottle of hand cream with me and put it on through out the day, but my hands don't seem to be getting any better. Thanks for passing on your experience with Eucerin, I'll be looking into it for sure.

Cheryl

[sal]

There is a popular direct sales co. out there that has a "Silky Hands" treatment that I bought as a treat for myself. However, when I was following a tight budget and couldn't spend the $$, I tried the following and it worked pretty well: Put a sm. blob of Vaseline in palm of hand (size of dime or smaller)and a good amt (1/4 tsp or so) of sugar or salt and rub this all over hands (back and palm, bet. fingers, etc). Then wash this off w/a mild soap and warm water. Pat dry and apply favorite handcream. The grains of salt seem to work the emollient into the skin. Just another option that might fit the bill. sally

[Laura Wick]

I have problems with my hands and feet. The two applications that work best for me are breaking open a vitamin E capsule ( or several) and applying it, or using a heavy cream called bag balm (used to take care of cow's udders). Both are messy, and the bag balm has a medicinal smell. I immediately put my hands or feet into a pair of old socks. I do this just before bedtime, and only when my husband is traveling on business. The vitamin E is great for cuticles.

[phantomcg]

Laura:
Vitamin E, huh? I just happen to have a big bottle of those around here. I've done vasoline before bed, but one of my cats loves vasoline and I woke up in the middle of the night to find him licking my hands! I am quite familar with Bag Balm from growing up on the farm, but I didn't think about using it on my hands. My husband is gone Monday through Friday, so I may have to dig out some old socks and try this.

Sal:
I have been using a sea salt scrub in the shower about once a week and that's basically the same thing as the vasoline and salt/sugar. Maybe I need to try that on my hands more often.

Thanks for the ideas!!

Cheryl

[Kristilyn1]

another vote for eucerin. My son had eczema as a baby and this was the doctor's recommendation. He was also severely burned this summer and the hospital recommended eucerin cream for the healed skin. The manufacturer also makes a product called Aquaphor, which is SERIOUSLY greasy. I will put it on, let it sit for awhile and then wipe off. The hospital I used to work at recommended it because it takes a few washes to get it off.

Kristi

[Pat58]

Phantomcg:

I have a paraffin wax unit from IGIA. The reason I spent the bucks on it (it was still less than $100) was more to help me with my rheumatoid arthritis - but the benefits to skin on hands/feet are a nice bonus. Here is my experience: it takes over an hour for the wax to melt. The unit is like a crockpot slow cooker. Once the wax is melted, you have to be VERY careful when you dip in your hand or foot - it is HOT. I quickly dip a couple of times then when the wax hardens put on the plastic bag and cheap terry mitt or bootie, and relax for 15 minutes. The deep heat really helps the pain in my hands, wrists and feet. My synopsis is that it's a nice home spa treatment, but somewhat time consuming and a little messy. It's worth it for arthritis sufferers, though.

[hhcowgirl]

Mmmmmmmmm. . . . you all are making me crave a hot wax treatment. I absolutely love these, with bot hmanicures and pedicures, but have never tried an "at-home" kind. Sounds worth it, though.

As for hand creams, I swear by one made by Kiehls. If you are interested, I can post the name of it. I've used it for years and my hands even stay moisturized when I am skiing/running/riding horses in the winter.

[phantomcg]

hhcowgirl:

Please post the name of the cream that you use. I am open to any and all suggestions.

Thanks,

Cheryl

[phantomcg]

Pat:
Thanks for posting your experience with the hot wax machine. I can see where the warmth would help with arthritis. I wonder if it would also help with the carpal tunnel and tendonitis I have in my wrist? I think for now, I'll hold off on the machine and check out some of the other recomendations.

Thanks everybody for your input.

Cheryl

[hhcowgirl]

It's Kiehls Creme de Corps and it is just wonderful. You can purchase it at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, or various specialty stores, or by calling 1-888-Kiehls1. You may be able to find it somewhere on the web too. Good luck!

p.s. They also make wonderful shampoos, shaving creams, and lip balms.

[BeckyM]

I also get really dry hands in the winter -- so dry that my knuckles have cracked and bled! I have experimented with lots of different lotions, but the one that seems to work for me is Curel. They have a formula that's called "Extreme Care" or something like that, and I really like it. It soaks into the hands really well without feeling greasy, and even if I wash my hands, I can still tell that some of the lotion is there softening my hands. This winter I have been using Curel the entire time, and my hands haven't cracked once! That seems like a miracle to me, especially since this winter has been so cold. I haven't ever tried Eucerin, so maybe it would work just as well as the Curel, but since Curel works so well for me, I'm not going to experiment with anything else!