Therabath Professional Thermotherapy TB6 Paraffin Wax Bath - Helps Relieve Arthritis & Muscle Stiffness - Heat Therapy for Hands, Feet, Face & Body - Made in USA - 6 lb. Cucumber Melon with Thyme

I researched several different paraffin spas before ultimately deciding on this one. The selling points were its size (width and depth) and apparent commercial quality/durability.The TB 6 (110V) is Therabath's newest/most recent model. The TB6 is a Professional DEEP IMMERSION (6-9 lb wax capacity) paraffin bath that accomodates hands and feet. It also has a new/improved (over the TB5 model) ANODIZED ALUMINUM TANK (with integrated handles) that is lightweight, durable, and energy efficient. This box set comes with 6 PACKAGES (6 lbs.) of Therabath of PARAFFIN WAX (which is what you need to get started). According to the manufacturer, six pounds of paraffin provides ~42 manicures (both hands) or 32 pedicures (both feet), assuming three dips per hand or foot. The plastic liners and terry mitts are NOT included. (Please see my note below about other, better options).The Therabath was very easy to set-up and use RIGHT OUT of the BOX. There is even a 5 step QUICK and easy SET-UP REFERENCE CARD so that you don't have to read the instruction manual. The most challenging aspect was finding the perfect location in the house for the Therabath (since it needs to remain plugged in/on at all times). After deciding on the location, I just opened the 6 plastic bags containing the wax, put the solid wax into the container, placed the grate on top of the wax, placed the lid on top of that and then plugged the unit in. After waiting about 6-8 hours, the wax was melted and ready to use.It is important to note that the makers of Therabath designed their paraffin wax spas without an external on/off switch or manual/adjustable temperature control. (When it's plugged in, it's "on" and automatically cycles on/off to regulate the temperature of the wax.) Therabath's rationale (according to their website) behind this is that the spa should be viewed similar to a refrigerator that is safely plugged in and running all of the time with internally regulated temperature controls. In reality, if you want to use the Therabath on a regular basis, you have to keep it plugged it to keep the paraffin wax melted. It takes about 6-8 hours for the wax to fully melt and be ready to use. Most people can't/don't want to wait 8 hours EACH time before using it. If you are a person that does not feel comfortable leaving things on/plugged in 24/7, then this probably is not the unit for you. I have had mine on/plugged in for almost 3 weeks without any problem. (And in the cycling on/off, it is off more than it is on - which is indicated by the indicator light.)I purchased the Therabath to help alleviate the EXTREMELY and painfully dry and cracked hands that I get as soon as the weather turns colder. The wax feels really good on my hands. I just wish I could "soak" them in the wax. Instead, you spread your fingers, dip for a few seconds, take your hand out for a few seconds and then re-dip. (You can repeat for as many times as you'd like, but based on my experience anything over 5 times is way too much.) I got a little carried away the first time I did it and did it probably 7 times. The wax was REALLY thick, but it felt good. After that, I put my hands inside plastic bags (getting the bag on my second hand was a little more of a challenge, but doable) and then put them in terry mitts. I generally leave the wax on for about 15 minutes and then peel it off (like a glove). The first time, my hands felt like I applied Vaseline to them and then slept with socks over my hands overnight. Each time I use the wax, they feel a little softer (and better). I've heard of people leaving it on overnight, but the wax was already starting to crack after 15 minutes, so I'm not really sure it would stay attached to my hands for over 8 hours.I decided to use just regular, generic zip-lock gallon-size plastic food storage bags and long terry oven mitts. The food storage, plastic bags are MUCH thicker (and cheaper) than the hand/foot "liners" and the terry oven mitts are thicker and hold in the heat better (and, again, cheaper) than the hand/foot mitts. You can even re-use the plastic bags to help save additional money. By using ZIP-LOC mouth bags, it's easier to get your hands in by yourself because the top stays open on it's own. It also retains heat better because you can zip-lock it to your arm.There are MANY different scents of Therabath brand wax to choose from. I purchased the unit with the LAVENDER HARMONY scent. When I first opened the package, I thought the scent was going to be too overwhelming, but once the wax was melted in the container (and even on my hands), it was only a very subtle scent (not strong like it was right out of the package).Overall, I am very happy with my Therabath Paraffin Spa purchase. I do have to admit, though, that I was extremely lucky and did not pay the full price. Amazon must have made a huge data entry error/glitch while updating/changing the prices in their system, because for a few hours one day it was selling for a fraction of the retail price. And that is when I purchased mine. The extremely low price was the only reason that I purchased it. I had the Therabath in my Amazon cart for a while because I was hesitant to spend THAT much money on something that may or may not work in alleviating the extremely dry skin on my hands (even though my friends swore by the paraffin treatments at their spa). I personally had never had a paraffin treatment at the spa/salon, so this was my first time trying it. For a fraction of the price, I absolutely love the Therabath. After much thought and consideration, I would not, however, pay the full retail price (for my dry skin problem) because there are other cheaper alternatives. In fact, before the price was drastically (erroneously?) lowered, I had decided that I really shouldn't spend THAT much money and instead was going to compromise and buy the Dr. Scholl's Paraffin Spa (on sale for twenty dollars at Wal-Mart) and then use the Therabath paraffin wax with that unit. I still think that is a good, lower-priced option and would still have done that if the price not been lowered on the Therabath. At a fraction of the price, The Dr. Scholl's is smaller, not as deep and is not the same commercial quality (as the Therabath), BUT it does have an ON/OFF switch and manual temperature control. Again, I have not tried the Dr. Scholl's ... only read about it. I still believe the Therabath is a far better quality paraffin spa, if you have the money to invest in it.I highly suggest looking at the manufacturer's website (which is the name of the product dot com) because it has a lot of useful information (including care, cleaning and maintenance of the unit).

Update: The reality of paraffin dipping is it's just not practical. I purchased a praffin bath on the recommendation of my physical therapist due to Psoriatic Arthritis which was severly impacting the use of my hands, heat was very soothing for the pain. The truth about paraffin dipping for this purpose is this...the wax takes 3-4 hours to melt, best case scenario, so you have to leave the machine out all the time. I don't know many people who have extra counter space they are just looking for something awkward to fill it with, I know that's not me. You have to leave the machine plugged in all the time or think about plugging it in in the morning so the wax will be melted in the evening, you can't just spontaneously decide you want to use it without some forethought due to the length of time it takes to melt the wax. In my case, and anyone doing it for arthritis pain in the hands, you dip both hands, wrap them in plastic, then in a fabric of some sort to maintain the heat for as long as possible. Now you've lost the use of your hands for 20-30 minutes. If you use a heating pad you can take your hands out if you want to take a drink of water, turn the page of a book, change the channel on the tv or whatever while you sit and enjoy the soothing relief of the heat. With the wax you are stuck with the wrappings, as soon as you undo it you are done. The whole process is just pretty much not practical whatsoever. I will maintain, this machine is the best if you want to purchase one. I just feel paraffin dipping at home is probably not practical for a good number of people and you might think about the process before you make the leap. A heating pad really does just as good, it just doesn't sound as fancy.I needed a paraffin bath for pain relief for my hands. I initially purchased a cheaper one and it did not work. About 2/3 of the way around there was about an inch of wax that would never melt, even after three full days of the machine being left on. When I dared to dip my hands, the wax in the area that was melted was horribly hot and uncomfortable. I peeled it off immediately and the skin was tender for about a day, I'd say it was mildly burned. Perhaps a defective machine, but others mentioned the same thing in reviews, I just figured they didn't know how to do a paraffin dip properly. After that experience I decided they were right and I opted to spend the money on a quality machine. I cannot explain the difference. You can tell when you take it out of the box it's a better machine than the cheap models. I put 2 bags of wax in it and it melted completely in a few hours. I dipped my hands and no discomfort, the wax is a perfect temperature. The machine is a nice size, you can easily dip your hands and I would say you could dip small to medium adult size feet as well. I suspect you could get large feet in it with a little maneuvering.I opted for a scented wax with the purchase of my machine, I got the eucalyptus rosemary mint. I really don't care for it at all, but that is personal preference. It's not a strong scent and I don't think it would be terrible, I'm more concerned it would leave the scent on my hands after the treatement and I really don't love it. I had also purchased a box of unscented wax knowing I am picky about smells, so I'm using the unscented and it's working great. I guess my advice on that one is, if you are unsure just go with the unscented, no one can really explain the scent or advise whether you will like it. If you are picky about smells don't risk it, I wish I hadn't.As I mentioned, I originally put in two bags for my hands and I have added two more. I felt the two bags was a little shallow as I'm trying to cover up to my wrists and I was having to do some twisting and maneuvering to get the area covered. My physical therapist suggested if I am diligent about washing my hands every time and am the only one using it I can reuse the wax, put it back in off my hands. I do think my hands sweat since they are so warm, so I'm not sure how many times I will do this before I change out the wax.I also purchased the plastic liners and the mitts and am glad I did. I know someone who uses plastic grocery bags and kitchen towels and the liners and mitts just seem easier.Overall, I am extremely impressed with this product and would highly recommend it.

Womderful warrafin wax machine, large enough to cover hands and feet. However it does take a bit longer than 8 hours to melt the wax that is stated by the manufacturer.

This is one of the most expensive units on Amazon but I must say that so far it is amazing! I dipped both my hands and feet for the first time today! I had a nice bath, and treated my feet and hands to an at home mani/pedi treatment removing all dead skin/cuticles, then I dipped my feet and hands one at a time into this warm wax and it was heavenly! I bought the professional disposable bags for hands/feet though you could easily use plastic wrap or reuse grocery bags. Then placed them in the footie/hand warmers that I also bought on amazon. I found the temperature to be perfect but keep in mind my feet and hands were already warmed up from lounging in my bath before hand. If your hands or feet are cold it may feel like the wax is too hot. I have severe pain in my hands, elbows, ankles and feet due to arthritis so I have to say that I just love this machine. It is just so wonderful to come home too after a long day at work on my feet all day, have a nice bath soak, then treat my feet, ankles and hands to a wax treatment! I imagine that I will just leave it plugged in during the fall/winter season when I have the most pain issues because it does take a long time to heat the wax (6 hrs). Also when buying wax in the future, I will just buy unscented and use my own essential oils for fragrance or aromatherapy. My feet and hands are so soft and I have not even put on any lotion yet!!

Awesome product...could be a little less expensive.