Wax play

What wax play is

Wax play is dripping melted candle wax onto the skin for the sensation of heat, the visual of the wax, and the ritual of pouring. It sits at the warmer end of temperature play and ranges from a gentle, almost spa-like experience to something sharp and intense. Done with the right candles it is low risk. Done with the wrong ones it causes burns, which is why the choice of candle matters more than anything else.

Choosing candles

The melting point of the wax determines how hot it lands.

• Paraffin and soy candles made for wax play melt at low temperatures and are the safest choice. They are sold by kink retailers and labelled for body use.
• Plain unscented paraffin household candles are usable with care; they run hotter than purpose-made candles, so pour from greater height.
• Avoid beeswax, which melts at a high temperature and can burn.
• Avoid scented, coloured, metallic or decorative candles. Fragrance oils, dyes and additives raise the melting point and can irritate or burn the skin.

Controlling sensation

Wax cools as it falls, so pouring from higher up lands cooler. Start at around 60 centimetres and lower gradually. Larger drips hold more heat than small ones. Dripping onto an area that already has a layer of wax feels gentler than onto bare skin.

Skin sensitivity varies enormously across the body. The back, buttocks and thighs tolerate the most. The chest and stomach are more sensitive. Avoid the face, the eyes, the genitals and any area with a lot of body hair unless it has been oiled or you are both prepared for removal to be the sting of the scene. Never pour onto broken or recently waxed skin.

Preparation and cleanup

• Lay down an old sheet or a plastic drop cloth. Wax does not come out of fabric easily.
• Keep a bowl of water and a damp cloth nearby, and know where the fire extinguisher is.
• Tie back hair and keep flames well away from it, from fabric and from anything flammable.
• Apply a thin layer of oil or lotion to the skin first; the wax lifts off far more easily afterwards.
• Remove wax by peeling it gently, or by scraping lightly with the back of a knife or a credit card. Some people enjoy the removal as part of the scene.
• Check skin afterwards. Redness is normal and fades. Blisters mean the wax was too hot and should be treated as a minor burn: cool water, no popping, and a doctor if large or worsening.