Wax Play Guide

Wax play is a form of temperature play and is a practice often associated with BDSM. It can be as gentle or painful as you like.  It does involve fire so it is probably best not to attempt it without thinking about a few things first. Generally, it takes the form of either dripping or ladling hot wax from a pot or a candle onto another person or even painting it on.

Here are a few tips and pointers to ensure nobody gets more hurt than they actually want to.

Types of Wax 

There are three types of wax.

• Beeswax which should never be used, as it has a melting temperature of about 70 c and will hurt like hell.
• Parrafin, which melts at about 54 c, is the best wax to use if you are planning on making a habit of wax play,  You can add mineral oil to cool it or use stearine to make it hotter.  Paraffin wax also slightly reddens the skin and is very easy to remove.
• Soy Wax. This wax burns at the lowest temperature, so is great for beginners but can be a bit sticky. It is a very soft wax though so it is very hard to make tapered candles from. Soy is a good choice for anyone with sensitive skin as it is much less likely to cause irritation.

Using the Wax

Wax dripped from a tapered end will be hotter than wax dripped from a pillar candle or votive as the melted wax has more time to cool down.

Some people say that coloured candles are hotter than white ones.  This isn’t technically the case.  Same type of wax burns at the same temperature whatever the colour.  But darker colours retain the heat for longer so take longer to cool down.

You should never use metallic candles.

They contain poisonous particles and not only burn but scar too. Same goes for scented candles. Some people are attracted to using them because you can the massage with them.  But if that is your aim then Adultsmart sell massage candles specifically made for this purpose.  Such as ‘sSin in a Tin” and a range by Karmasutra.

White household candles are fine to start with as long as you are sure they are paraffin.  Candles without ingredients listed on them should be avoided and as with most things, you get what you pay for.

Starting Out with Wax Play 

It is a unique sensation and fetish sensory play is not for everyone.

There are submissives out there capable of taking the pain of a flogging who can’t take wax play.  Likewise those who generally can’t take pain who get a real taste for it, so this isn’t something you should just surprise someone with.

Even for those who like pain, start gently because you don’t want the pain to result in burns or scars. Best way is to drip some wax on the inside of the arm first to test.  The height that you drip from will change the temperature, the more distance between the wax and the body the cooler.  Candles you buy in adult stores advise 36 inches, BDSM enthusiasts seem to favour 18 inches.

It has to be the right height not to splatter too as that can be very painful.

Where the Wax Goes is Important

Goes without saying that different areas of the body are more sensitive than others.

• Face should always be avoided.
• Another thing is that wax that pools will take much longer to cool so be extremely wary of the belly button or small of the back.
• Piercings can be a problem too as sliding hot wax along with a metal conductor and a tiny hole doesn’t mix well.

How to Wax Play

• Always start with only one candle.  A double layer of wax will take twice as long to cool.  You can always place your hand over the cooling wax before you apply second layers.  This is also a nice way to connect.
• If the pain of the wax is just too much but one of you is really into it, you could wrap your partner in cling wrap.  Or mix it up with a bit of mummification and apply it over the thin cotton bandage.
• Rotate the candle so it burns evenly and you don’t get the horrible black soot affecting the aesthetics of your wax work.
• It is best to tie back the hair and shave if possible.  Removing wax from body hair is simply not sexy.  If you can’t do that then coating the hair with silicone lube before hand will help.  Be sure to wash off all body products as the alcohol in them can react badly to hot wax.
• Have some cold water on hand and make sure you clear a good space. Probably best to have some burn cream on hand too before you start.

Wax is VERY Messy 

It is always best to be prepared and lay down a sheet, the dye in candles is impossible to remove from somethings.  If wax does get on furniture or carpets just cover the area with kitchen paper and iron over it the wax will soak into the paper.

Removing the wax from the body can be part of the play.

Compressing and stretching the skin will help and some people like to combine it with knife play.  (Probably best to start off with a butter knife). Using fingernails or a comb can feel pretty good too.

For some the satisfaction comes from lifting it off in a sheet. Especially if making moulds of body parts, and as I mentioned before paraffin candles are best for that. Softer wax is harder to remove but you can cool it down with ice cubes.

Speaking of which, the human body can initially only feel differences in temperature. It doesn’t distinguish between hot or cold.  I read an amusing story about a blindfolded sub trying to blow out an ice cube.

If wax art is your thing

Use kids crayons, they are non-toxic and melt at a good temperature.  They aren’t 100% wax though so leave a sticky residue and may not be good for very sensitive skins.

Temperature play lends itself marvellously to other sensation play.

Hoods and blindfolds, ice cubes, Wartenberg wheels, your imagination is really all that is stopping you.  We sell several brands of candles designed specifically for wax play at Adultsmart so come down and give it a go.

Click the link to see our range of massage candles.

Molten Mastery – Wax Play Appreciation

Indulge in your senses.

Close your eyes and imagine the thick rivulets of wax sliding over the mounds and curves of your skin, set hard in the cool air that hovers around you.

• Ever been interested in the sensations of hot and cold?
• Enjoyed hot hot showers or perhaps the allure of stone massages?

Perhaps Wax play is for you

Wax play is the art of pouring, dripping and playing with fetsih wax on the human body. Either stand alone or in conjunction with being tied up, flogged, or as part of a scene. Wax in itself is a beautiful material and comes in many different colours and temperatures.

To begin ou rjourney into this art form we must first impart how important it is to only use fetish candles that are specific to fetish play or kinky sex.  You mustn’t use candles that can be bought from convenience store or hardware stores.  They will have unpredictable burning temperatures, be mixed with chemicals that will have unstable burning properties.  And have a higher risk of causing lasting damage to skin.

Candles used in wax play

Will be made out of two different types of materials.  Soy or paraffin or a combination of the two.

Never use Beeswax candles. These will burn too hot for human skin to handle and cause burns to the skin that will need emergency attention.

Preparing for Wax Play 

When preparing for any wax play always ensure that your space is clear and clean to play.

• Remove any flammable materials in case your candles were to knock over to ensure there are no fire hazards.
• In the event that something was to catch on fire or the wax was too hot for the skin, also ensure that there are precautions to put out the fire.
• A damp cloth to remove hot wax from the body and burn gel.  Just in case. Safety first.

Place matting, sheeting or padding down for ease of cleaning up. Wax play can get messy. Another reason why it is so scrumptiously fun. For this reason, do not attempt it on the carpets.

Wax Play Choice of Tools.

You may choose to drip the wax from the candles.  Or melt and pour the wax from a wax melting pot with a small scoop/ladle.

This is called flooding.

Scooping larger amounts of liquid wax can be visually stunning.  But don’t forget it will also be more intense with heat.  So ensure that the skin is prepped and that you have built up to this step.  You are not going all out on a whim.  This is an art form to be worked up to.

Starting Out – Setting the Scene

Start by picking a comfortable spot to lie or sit down and begin by negotiating the scene.  Discuss what will be happening, any hard or soft limits, that there may be.

Warm up the areas of skin by using massage candles.  Typically hot oil that won’t have a burning temperature but still feels oh so good.  Or some light impact play. This will warm up the skin and get it ready for the heat of the wax that is about to be indulged in.

Temperature play on cold skin that isn’t ready can be dangerous.  It can be a risk for the “sub” or the person that is receiving it.

Different Techiques in Wax Play

Both for dripping and pouring wax, there are different techniques that can be used that will change the way that the wax will both the temperature and the feel on the skin.

Closer you spill the wax to the skin, the hotter it will feel.  The more immediate it will come and the smoother it will linger.

Further away, the cooler it will be as it will have more opportunity to intertwine with the air around it.  More anticipation there will be, as there will be more time for the wax to fall from where it is being spilled from.

Depending on the height of the fall will also affect the impact of the wax on the skin and in particular how messy it may be. This can cause some absolutely magnificent splashwork that cannot be replicated, one of a kind artwork and artfeel.

Cleaning up can be part of the fun of wax play.

To make taking wax off easier, rub moisturiser or oil onto the skin beforehand. Peel off wax in larger chunks.  Or incorporate blunt (or if you’re game and it is your kink a sharp knife) to scrape off the wax.  Ice will help the wax harden and help to remove it and add a cool element to your temperature play.

Some tips and tricks to Remember

• Tie up hair to keep it out of the wax.
• Shave or keep wax away from body hair.
• Do not put wax into the belly button as it is very hard to ensure that it is completely cleaned out.
• Always keep wax away from the face.
• Take lots of photos (with permission) to remember how much fun it is and to show the person what a lovely canvas they make.

At your service,

Tiffany

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