paraffin wax

As candle makers we often get asked about the waxes we use. Consumers are more conscious these days which is great. Soy wax is definitely on trend right now; it’s marketed as a sustainable, renewable resource, un-reliant on fossil fuels.

Beeswax and coconut wax are amongst the most sustainable waxes. They both burn clean and slowly, with beeswax famous for its incredibly bright flame. But with anything, ensuring you’re buying from farms and makers who support ethical farming techniques is vital.

You see, most are made from cheap paraffin wax, a petroleum by-product of crude oil, and emit large amounts of particulate pollution when burned — a major ingredient in air pollution. Add in metal-based wicks, artificial scents and boosters, and the notion of candle purity goes up in flames.

Beeswax Candles

In addition to the Yankee Candles being long lasting and smelling great, they are also 100% natural. Products that are 100% natural, not tested on animals, and better for the environment are naturally more expensive. Part of this is because sourcing natural products has become more and more expensive.

One 2009 study found that burning paraffin wax releases potentially dangerous chemicals, such as toluene. The researchers found that the level of chemicals released by each type of candle was well below the amount that would cause human health problems.

When burned, paraffin wax can release toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air including acetone, benzene and toluene, which are known carcinogens. These are the same chemicals found in diesel fuel emissions and are known to cause allergies, asthma attacks and skin problems.

Sledd told KFVS-TV that it only takes an hour of burning a candle to produce the same harmful effects as smoking just one cigarette. Because candles don’t have filters, which typically remove microparticles, he said those soot particles are released into the room and can penetrate your lungs.

The wax is a natural emollient, helping make skin supple and soft. When applied to the skin, it adds moisture and continues to boost the moisture levels of the skin after the treatment is complete. It can also help open pores and remove dead skin cells. That may help make the skin look fresher and feel smoother.

Eating a lot of paraffin can lead to intestinal obstruction, which can cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and possible constipation. If the paraffin contains a dye, a person who has an allergy to that dye may develop tongue and throat swelling, wheezing, and trouble breathing.

Ear candles are hollow cone candles made of wax-covered fabric. The pointed end is placed in your ear while the other end is lit. The warm “suction” is believed to remove earwax, improve hearing, and treat conditions like sinus infections and colds. Ear candling isn’t safe and can cause serious injuries.

At its worst, it can cause serious harm to your ear. It’s also risky to hold a lit candle close to your face. The flame or the melted wax could burn you. Candle wax may even drip into your ear canal, clog the passage, and make you lose your hearing for a while.

Ear candling involves placing a hollow candle in the external auditory canal; a brown waxy substance, believed to be a mixture of ear wax, debris, and bacteria, is left in the candle stub.

The medical term for earwax is cerumen, and hydrogen peroxide is a cerumenolytic, which means that it can soften, break down, and dissolve earwax. Ear drops can contain a variety of forms of hydrogen peroxide. A common type is carbamide hydroxide, which adds oxygen to the wax, causing it to bubble.

Unfortunately, we will no longer be taking bookings for ear wax removal at any of our hearing centres. If you’ve noticed a change in your hearing or you have mild concerns about your hearing, you can still book a free hearing health check or visit us in store to chat with one of our trained professionals.

What if your ears have no earwax at all? It’s rare, but it does happen. It is a condition called keratosis obturans, and it means there is a hard plug where the earwax comes out. It’s unclear why this happens, but researchers do know that the plug is made of keratin, a protein that exists in skin cells.

If left untreated, excessive earwax may cause symptoms of earwax blockage to become worse. These symptoms might include hearing loss, ear irritation, etc. A buildup of earwax might also make it difficult to see into the ear, which may result in potential problems going undiagnosed.

Earwax buildup can also lead to surprising outcomes in mood and functioning of the brain itself. As Healthline reported earlier this year, studies have linked hearing loss with cognitive decline and dementia — which can be exacerbated by cerumen impaction.

Why Is My Earwax Smelly? Earwax is a normal and an important part of keeping your ears healthy and clean. However, smelly earwax can indicate a problem. If your earwax smells, it may be caused by a medical condition or other complication.

Secretions and hygiene So, neglecting to wash there thoroughly might be the cause of odor behind the ears. Sweat glands are found all over the body, including behind the ears. They secrete perspiration that begins to smell when it comes in contact with bacteria and oxygen.

Dark or black earwax isn’t a sign you have poor hygiene or that you’re not clean. It is, however, a sign you should clean your ear canals of earwax buildup and possibly see your doctor. Black earwax may be an indication you have a wax buildup. Your ears may not naturally clean themselves the way they should.

Earwax Buildup Causes The most common cause of impactions is the use of cotton swabs (and other objects such as bobby pins and rolled napkin corners), which can remove superficial wax but also pushes the rest of the wax deeper into the ear canal. Hearing aid and earplug users are also more prone to earwax blockage.

Dark brown or black colored earwax is typically older, so its color comes from the dirt and bacteria it has trapped. Adults tend to have darker, harder earwax. Dark brown earwax that is tinged with red may signal a bleeding injury. Light brown, orange or yellow earwax is healthy and normal.

To do this, just gently massage the outside of the ear using circular movements. That way, the impaction will soften, which can help the earwax drain more easily. Once you’ve finished making these circular movements, pull your ear slightly backwards, from the lobe to the top of the auricle.

The following are some at home methods to help:

1. Use steam. Steam can help unclog an ear when the cause is an infection or allergies.
2. Consider mineral and essential oils. Many oils reportedly have antibiotic, antiseptic, or anti-inflammatory properties.
3. Use a warm compress.
4. Gargle salt water.