Paraffin wax safe8/4/2023 ![]() They also took samples of wax from 22 salons in western Oregon and tested them for bacterial and fungal contamination. The researchers rounded up some bacteria (Pseudumonas aeruginos and Staphylococcus aureus) and some fungus (Trichophyton rubrum and Epidermophyton floccusum) common to the skin to see how they fared in the environment of a paraffin bath. In 1996, at the request of the Oregon Board of Barbers and Hairdressers, researchers at Oregon State University studied whether paraffin baths can become contaminated with pathogenic organisms. “The paraffin should be changed on a regular basis or when it becomes visibly and grossly contaminated.” (See sidebar on this page for cleaning instructions.) “In a contaminated bath, bacteria could grow,” cautions Doug Schoon, vice president of science and technology for Creative Nail Design. ![]() “No matter how fast you dip it into the bath, the skin and anything on it is instantly encapsulated in the wax.” Of course, he notes, in the salon you must discard any used wax to keep the bath free of potential contaminants. ![]() “Sometimes we demonstrate this at trade shows by setting up a paraffin bath and challenging people to contaminate it with a bit of lotion we place on their fingertip,” says Nelson. Firstly, the moment a hand or foot is placed in the bath, the paraffin solidifies and any dead skin or pathogens (disease-causing organisms) are instantly encapsulated. The reason for this two-fold, says Jim Nelson, vice president of sales and marketing for TherabathPro/WR Medical Electronics in Stillwater, Minn. Fortunately, science is on the side of the salon owner it’s difficult to contaminate a batch of melted paraffin, even if, like the folks at Oregon State University, you try to do it on purpose. With increased focus on sanitation and the potential of spreading of disease through salon services, it’s only natural that clients may balk at the idea of putting their hands and feet where so many have gone before: the paraffin bath.
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