BDSM Education- Wax Play

WARNING: Flickering candles or strobe lights can trigger hidden epilepsy seizures.  This activity is not advisable in a public setting, since you could cause someone a seizure by your use of a candle or strobe light.

So what is Wax play?  Wax play is where the Dom/me drips and/or sometimes pours or paints melted wax onto various body parts of the sub.  

Votive candles, Jewish Shabbat candles or alter candles are the ones most commonly used.  Beeswax burns hotter so higher intensity/burn.  NEVER judge all candle temperatures to be the same.  ALWAYS test each candle or type of wax.  Also remember with each drop comes some splash/splatter, so think about where you are going to aim (avoid the eyes or open cuts).  You should pay attention to scented candles, too many scents will not make for pleasant play.  Some candles have perfume in them and they tend to burn a bit hotter.  If you really want to use a scented candle most people prefer food scents, so vanilla, apple pie, strawberry and lavender are good starting points.  Warning: Anyone that has asthma should only use unscented candles and have their inhaler with them during the play.  Also it is wise to avoid paper core wicks as they smoke more than metal core wicks found in votive candles.

The intensity of the heat depends on the height the candle is held or the height from which the wax is dripped/poured and the type of wax/candle used.  Some Dom/me's like to use a crock pot and a ladle for pouring the melted wax over the sub.  Dom/me's- It is advisable that you test the intensity of the wax on the inside of your wrist, similar to how one checks the temperature of milk from a baby bottle.  Hold the candle 10 inches above your wrist and let 1 drop fall, now did you feel-nothing? warmth? hot? burn?  Also take note of how long the heat stayed before dissipating.  Now repeat from the same height on top of the wax drop already on your wrist, it should be less intense.  Now lower the height to 7 inches and drop another drop, does it feel the same as the first drop? nothing? warmth? hot? burn?  Now that you have an idea of how the height affects the temperature move to another spot on your wrist that has no wax and try dripping 7 or 8 drops in row rather fast and judge how this feels.  A responsible Dom/me should always know what it feels like and what sensations the wax can create for the sub.  Remember you need a protective cloth under what you are dripping upon and you need an area to set your burning candle that will not get knocked over and set fire to the room.  So check around and make sure no combustibles are near the play area...yes this includes the sub's hair, sub's hair that has had hairspray applied to it, lingerie, curtains, paper towels, rope, etc.  Always have a fire extinguisher close by.

Tips/Ideas- 
~Dripping wax on different body parts will get different reactions and will feel different.  A good rule is to avoid the face, that is for those that know the risks and have extremely good aim and don't splash wax into eyes, etc.  
~Watch what is above the candle flame.  Example- You have a sub vertical instead of the preferred horizontal position, you could burn their stomach while waxing the genitals or you could burn the subs face while waxing the nipples.
~Some like taking a paint brush and paint on different colored wax.  This adds bristles of the brush to the sensation, and if you use colored wax it adds a visual art type feel.  Beware, some colors will stain the skin.
~Want to add excitement, anticipation, or heighten the sensations? Add a blindfold. (to the sub not the Dom/me!).  
~Some folks also like alternating between wax and ice on the same spot.  
~Some like sealing off the anus or vagina openings to create short term chastity or for bathroom control play.  
~A few removing the wax ideas: Knife, picking it off with your fingernails, using vampire gloves, ice scrapper or whipping it off.  
~Some like to put vitamin E cream, mineral oil, massage oil or other lotion/oils on the body parts that have hair for easier removal.  CAUTION- Some lotions or oil will heat up and/or burn the skin.  So test on a small area before using.  
~You could also use saran wrap and mummify your sub or just put the saran wrap over the hairy areas to be used.

What can cause a burn?  

Things in the wax, scents, perfumes, metal flakes (for sparkling), hardeners, dyes, etc. and the melting point of the wax.  The more oil content in the wax, the lower the melting temperature.  It makes me giggle every time I hear someone say the best working temperature for wax play is 120°F-125°F test a small spot on your wrist.  Since when did we become capable of telling degrees of temperature?  I think the only real effective way to determine temperature would be a candy thermometer.  I would highly suggest if you are going to do pouring or painting on the wax to use a crock pot with adjustable temperature gauge or a candy thermometer to monitor and keep the temperature under your control, exceeding 145°F for pouring/ladle play is probably not wise.  

If we look at a chemistry book or candle making guides for melting points we find these approximate wax melting point averages:  

~Jojoba 52°F-53°F
~Wool wax (refined) 97°F-109°F 
~Spermaceti 108°F-121°F (According to American EPA-Produces smell, smoke and soot, comes from the head of sperm whales.  It's an unprocessed animal fat/tallow)
~American paraffin 115°F-160°F (According to American EPA-Produces smoke and soot and can release carcinogens like benzene and toluene and other toxic substances)
~Japan wax 119°F-127°F 
~Soy wax 120°F-160°F (According to American EPA-Burns cleaner than petroleum-based waxes, no known carcinogens)
~Ghedda, E. Indian beeswax 141°F-151°F
~Beeswax, white, U.S.P. 142°F-150°F (According to American EPA-Considered an animal wax since it is made by bees.  For those with allergies these burn cleaner than other types of wax, some may notice a scent of honey)
~Hydrogenated Castor oil 182°F-190°F
~Cranberry 405°F-1424°F 

So what if the sub complains of pain/burn? 

Disclaimer-  This information is not intended to replace professional medical help and we are not responsible if you do not seek medical treatment.  This information is provided for information purposes only, using this information is done at your own risk.  ALWAYS check with a trusted medical doctor or medical authority.
If the sub complains that they feel like they are burned, use a damp cloth to cool the area.  Do a visual inspection.  If you see blisters and they are large seek medical help, you will probably need Silvadine.  If small blisters, keep clean and don't pop the blisters.  If you see extreme red, apply aloe vera or some other burn relief cream/ointment.  Pinkness is usually just a reaction to the wax and is expected.

Example of what could occur if wax play is done:

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