I love wax play. It’s so much fun and something that is simple to do and also not extremely expensive, which is awesome because we all know how expensive toys can be. So, it’s always great to find a fun activity that isn’t expensive. Not only that, but the more colorful candles you use, it can be quite a beautiful picture. If you’re on Fetlife, I’m sure you’ve seen a picture or two of _ashaya_’s beautifully waxed ass on Kinky and Popular. Also, if you’re always on the look for some good BDSM erotica to read, check out Nicolette Hugo’s Exhibition, and there’s a beautiful wax play scene that opens the story. So good that I remembered the scene from when I first read the book a couple of years ago. It’s one of those types of play that you usually don’t see a lot of, both in pictures and erotica, but there is something amazing about wax play. Like everything we do in the lifestyle, there are risks involved and no matter the activity, you need to make sure you’re educated and know what you’re doing.

There’s not a lot of equipment needed when it comes to wax play. Basically you just need some candles, a lighter, a tarp or something to put underneath to catch any accidental drips or a place where dried wax would be easy to clean up, something to set the candle on such as a small plate or a bowl, a source of fire control(damp cloth or a glass of water) and something to remove the dried wax from the skin once you’re done. Simple enough right? For the most part. But I wouldn’t suggest just grabbing whatever random candle you have laying around the apartment and lighting it up. I also suggest before you start dripping the wax all over someone’s body, that the area you want to use is for the most part hair free because it’s not gonna be a whole lot of fun when it comes time to removing the wax.

There are different types of candles out there. Some are perfect for wax play and others, not so much. Depending on what your candle is made out of, depends on how hot they burn. This is why I highly suggest not just using some random candle you find laying around the house or what you see in the store. They can be used, you just need to be aware there is a bit more of a risk using them.

In an article on SexTalk About by Penguin Pete, this is what he has to say about the different types of candles:

  • Scented candles are paraffin wax mixed with oil and burn at 120 degrees F and these are the typical candles you find in retail stores.
  • Pure paraffin candles burn at 135 degrees F and are mostly white, unscented candles.
  • Beeswax candles burn at 145 degrees F and are intended to burn brightly for a long period of time. Beeswax candles mixed with stearin can burn up to 170 degrees F and higher.
  • Soy candles burn between 135-145 degrees F and are the best candles to use for wax play because they cool quickly upon contact, are easier to clean up than paraffin wax, and is less likely to cause skin irritation.

Something else to keep in mind when choosing your candles to use are allergies and skin conditions that the person may have as well as any medications the person may be on. There are some people who probably shouldn’t participate in wax play because of these medical issues. It’s extremely important to make sure you know what ingredients are in the candles you are using.

Also the other thing to keep in mind is the height that which the wax is being dripped from. The greater the distance between the candle and the place where you’re intending for the wax to hit, the cooler the wax will be and the closer the candle is to the spot, the hotter the wax will be. Different parts of the body can handle a higher temperature than others, such as breasts and the genital areas. You don’t want to be using a candle that burns at 145+ degrees F and dripping that extremely hot wax on your partner’s genitals at close range. That is not sexy at all. Also stay away from dripping wax above the shoulders, such as directly on the face. You can’t exactly control wax and there’s no way to be 100% sure that wax won’t drip into the person’s eyes, nose or mouth and that can lead to some serious issues that neither one of you want to be involved in. Like every type of play that we participate in, there are risks and it’s really super important to know what those risks are.

There are a lot of shops on Etsy that are kink friendly and sell candles that are perfect for wax play in a wide variety of colors and sizes. Here’s a link to a general search I did on Etsy which provides several vendors and price ranges. 

Also, here are a few more links about wax play if you’re interested in learning more.

 

 

Remember to stay safe while having fun!