Paraffin, Scrubs and Masks in a Pedicure: Order, Safety and Setup

The right order for a spa pedicure

Scrubs, masks and paraffin all do something different, and each one works better when it comes after the step before it. Exfoliation removes the dead surface skin so a mask or wax can contact fresh skin. A mask adds moisture. Paraffin seals it in and adds warmth. Massage and polish come last.

One tip from the AAD that belongs on your booking page: do not shave your lower legs for at least 24 hours before a pedicure. A small nick can become an entry point for infection, and a scrub or soak on top of it makes things worse.

Scrubs: what to use and how hard to rub

A pedicure scrub is a mild abrasive (usually sugar or salt) in an oil, gel or cream base. The abrasive polishes off dead surface skin, and the base leaves a thin layer of moisture. They are not a replacement for a callus treatment on a thick heel. They are for general smoothing.

The Studio carries salon-size scrubs under Spa Redi (sugar scrubs and scrub gels in 16 oz sizes) and LA PALM (Step 2 Jojoba Pedi Scrub and Step 3 Hot Oil Sugar Scrub in 12 oz). Browse scrubs and masks.

How to apply a scrub

1. Take the scrub from the tub with a clean spatula. Never scoop with fingers. The Florida salon rule says creams must be removed from containers with spatulas.
2. Apply to damp skin on the foot and lower leg. Use circular motions with light-to-medium pressure.
3. Spend more time on dry areas (heels, sides of the big toe) and less on the instep and ankles.
4. Skip any skin that is cut, sunburned, inflamed or freshly shaved.
5. Rinse completely. Grit left on the skin will irritate and also dull the wax or polish later.

Masks: cream masks and how to make them work

A foot mask is a thick cream or clay-based product applied after the scrub and left on for a few minutes. The Spa Redi Pedi Cream Mask comes in 16 oz tubs in scents such as Milk Honey and Pomegranate.

• Time: use the time on the label. Longer is not better.
• Heat: a warm towel over the foot makes the service feel more luxurious. Browse towels and warmers. Keep towel temperature comfortable, since clients may not report heat until it is uncomfortable.
• Removal: warm damp towel, wipe off, then massage with oil or lotion.
• Stations: if a client asks for a clay or "detox" mask, tell her exactly what is in the jar and what it does. Don't promise medical results.

Paraffin wax: what it does and how to do it safely

Paraffin is a colorless, soft wax that melts at a low temperature, so it can be applied warm to skin. It works two ways, according to Medical News Today's reviewed overview: as an occlusive moisturizer (a barrier that slows water loss from the skin) and as heat therapy for stiff joints and muscles. That is why it is a classic add-on for dry heels and for clients with arthritis who say their feet feel stiff. The same source notes that the occlusive layer can feel greasy and may clog pores.

Steps for a paraffin foot treatment

1. Prepare the foot. Wash, exfoliate, rinse and dry. Apply a thin layer of lotion if your product directions say so.
2. Check the wax temperature with a thermometer and on your own skin first. It should feel comfortable and not exceed 125°F (51.7°C).
3. Coat the foot. Repeated dips build layers. For hands, Medical News Today describes dipping and letting it set about 6 to 8 times. Feet follow the same logic.
4. Wrap the foot in a liner or bag, then in a towel. Keep it covered for about 15 to 20 minutes, the time given for a hand treatment in the same source.
5. Peel off the cooled wax and throw it away.
6. Massage with oil or lotion.

The Studio sells paraffin wax in 1 lb blocks (Cre8tion and DND in Lavender and Peach), plus FantaSea paraffin liners and paraffin wax gloves. See paraffin wax. You also need a thermostat-controlled paraffin bath or warmer. We don't list one in the online catalog, so call or text (754) 232-4200 to ask.

Safety: who should skip paraffin

Paraffin is generally considered safe in a spa or at home when used as a moisturizer or heat treatment. Medical News Today lists these exceptions:

• Open cuts, wounds or burns.
• Issues with sensation in the hands or feet.
• Sensitivity to chemicals. It is a petroleum product and can cause rash, swelling or breakouts.
• Poor circulation or a history of numbness, since the person may not feel the temperature accurately and could be burned.

The same source recommends a patch test before using any new product: apply a small amount to a small area of skin and wait 24 hours. It also warns that paraffin is highly flammable according to NOAA, that its fumes can irritate, and that it should never be heated over an open flame.

Hygiene

Salon paraffin raises a hygiene question that home users don't face: a shared pot. One way to avoid dipping feet into a communal pot is to pour or brush wax over the foot while it is inside a liner, with single-client liners or gloves between the wax and the skin. We have not found a Florida rule written specifically for paraffin, so ask DBPR if you want certainty. Whatever you choose, follow the Florida rule that bars using an implement on a second client without disinfecting it.

Pick the treatment by client

How to describe each step honestly

Clients ask what each add-on does. Plain, accurate answers sell better than big promises, and they keep you out of trouble.

• Scrub: "It polishes off dry surface skin so your feet feel smoother today." It does not remove thick calluses.
• Mask: "It adds moisture and conditioning." Leave out "detox" and "repair" unless the product maker makes that claim and you can show it.
• Paraffin: "It seals in moisture and the warmth feels good on stiff feet." It is a moisturizing barrier, and the heat can soothe stiff joints and muscles, as Medical News Today describes. It will not cure arthritis.
• All of them: results last until the skin dries out again. Tell clients to moisturize at home, and use a cream with urea or lactate if heels are very dry, which is the AAD's advice for hard skin.

Put the safety question on the intake card: "Do you have diabetes, numbness or poor circulation in your feet, or any open skin?" Then your hot services are offered to the right clients without an awkward conversation at the tub.

Troubleshooting

For the full station list see our pedicure supplies list, and for a different upsell see the jelly pedicure guide.

Questions we get at the counter