Scar Treatment: Keeping Scars Warm with Paraffin Wax

Applying heat to scars can be beneficial for scar appearance because of the fact that higher temperatures increase of the activity of the enzyme that breaks down scar tissue.

(Shamberger R, Tabbot T, Tripton H, et al. The effect of ultrasonic and thermal treatment on wounds. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1981;68:860-870.)

Even an increased temperature of 1°C can result in softer, more flexible and less ugly scars. Common tools used for heat application on scars are moist heat packs, paraffin wax and ultrasound devices.

Paraffin wax is an excellent material to store heat and to keep skin from dehydrating. It is an ancient wisdom that paraffin therapy is a authentic way to speed healing and soothe muscle and joint pain. Paraffin wax application soothes and moisturizes the skin, opens pores and increases circulation; all essential in effective scar treatment.

Heat application on scar tissue with warm paraffin wax is beneficial to new and older scars. Paraffin wax acts like a liquid hot pad. Solid wax becomes molten on heating, and slowly releases heat when in contact with the skin. The wax gets solid as it loses heat. You can remove the wax when cooled off but still pliable.

More on keeping scars warm in order to improve scar appearance here