Wax can splatter into the eyes, which may be harmful. [ citation needed] Wax that is too hot can cause serious burns. Wax may be difficult to remove, particularly from areas with hair. A flea comb or a sharp knife may be necessary for wax removal; use of a knife for this purpose requires special skills, though a plastic card can work as well. Applying mineral oil or lotion before play can make wax removal easier. Dripping it on different erogenous zones (as long as they're no the sensitive or hairy spots we mentioned earlier). Some people like a bit of pain with their sex, though, and for those interested in wax that burns a bit hotter and stings, Karsh recommends paraffin candles. "Paraffin has a slightly higher burning temperature than soy,” she says. Adding in a blindfold can intensify the experience as well. "Removing the sense of sight increases the sense of anticipation and allows your partner to focus more on the physical sensations," says Uren. "You can also experiment with cold and hot by blowing on the wax as it cools to give your partner goosebumps or even use an ice cube to send shivers of pleasure through their body." 15. Don’t skimp on the aftercare! The Effects of Temperature and Time on Beeswax and Honey". Archived from the original on 2018-05-06 . Retrieved 2018-05-05.

For example, try asking your partner, "Hey, have you had many sexual fantasies?" or "Is there anything you’ve really wanted to try out in the bedroom?" That way, your partner can also bring up sexual ideas they’ve had on their mind, making for a more balanced (and sexy) discussion. Once your wax is hot and melty and the temperature feels good, it's time for the main event! There are tons of ways to use wax during sex, including: Just because the wax is now on your partner’s body doesn’t mean that’s game over. Running ice cubes over the still-warm wax, or tapping on hardened wax, can open up even more pleasure, says Couple. 14. Feeling bold? Try adding other BDSM elements. The first time I ever attempted wax play was about six or seven years ago. I went about it all wrong, in a very teenage, expectedly naive sort of way. I had a random candle I’d found in the house — probably a Pumpkin Spice Yankee Candle — and I asked a partner in the middle of a different sex act if he’d ever wanted to try messing around with wax. He was an older guy, and I think I was trying to embody the same sexiness you’d see in random Tumblr gifs on your feed, but what I actually did was spring BDSM into the conversation when neither of us were expecting it. We didn’t end up doing it, which was probably for the best. This is considered a moderately advanced form of play. If done wrong, wax play can cause burns severe enough to require medical attention. [1] Common candle types [ edit ]

Wax play stimulates so many of our senses, elevating the pleasure we usually get from sex to new heights." But before you start dripping wax all over yourself, know the techniques and the tools you need to play safely. Go in with a plan in place so you don't get burned...if you know what we mean. Get your wax ready. Wax play stimulates so many of our senses, elevating the pleasure we usually get from sex to new heights. The physical reaction to heat, liquid — and pain if you’re including it — grounds us and helps us stay present in sex. It also increases our sensitivity, giving us a lot more intensity as we touch one another. A hand brushing up against a thigh can feel like a thousand alarms going off in your brain (in a sexy way) when a bit of hot candle wax is involved. What’s more, putting all of that pleasure and control into someone else’s hands can be really, really sexy. If you’re using a candle with a glass container, use an electric candle warmer and make sure to blow out the flame before attempting any kind of pouring.

TBQH, wax is a bitch to clean up, so doing some pre-play prepping might save you a headache later on. Put down a disposable sheet or use puppy pads, per Smith. It’s also not a bad idea to lay down an old sheet you don’t care about over your bedspread as an extra precaution, adds Queen. 7. …And prep your body for cleanup. People love incorporating candles into their sexual play because candles can heighten the senses and increase arousal," says Shamyra Howard, LCSW, a sex educator and member of the Men's Health advisory board. "This is especially helpful and appealing to people who report they are unable to relax during sex, or unable to stop their mind from wandering." If you want to level up to a hotter temperature, go for a soy-based candle. Paraffin candles also provide an extra sting. “Those are hotter than massage candles, so you want to be careful with them,” Howard says. Another biggie is being 100-percent present for your partner, which also means being sober. If you’re on the receiving end, drugs and alcohol can increase your pain tolerance, making it difficult for you to know when you’ve reached your actual limit. And if you’re in the dominant position and pouring the wax onto your partner, alcohol will slow down your faculties, meaning you might not stop as soon as your partner says the safe word. Not okay. Anything I should know about what happens after wax play? Wax play candles burn a little bit hotter, and the slight heat of the wax is part of the fun, but they’re still specially formatted for wax play.

How to talk to your partner about wax play 

When we experiment with any kind of BDSM scene or activity involving pain, role play or power play, aftercare should always be an important factor. If your partner fancies having wax dripped on them, too, ask them to work out their own fantasies in private. The more informed you both are about your bodies and preferences when it comes to candle wax, the better the experience will be. Beeswax: Stay away from these (beeswax will burn the skin!) or any candle that does not have its ingredients listed, says Smith. Incorporating it into your blindfold or bondage play. While one partner is blindfolded or restrained (or both!), the other can drip hot wax onto their skin. And on that note...what *is* the relationship between wax play and BDSM? As Ness explains, wax play can be a part of BDSM scenarios if so desired. "Sometimes wax play can be used in a BDSM setting as allowing someone to drip wax over your body can take a lot of trust, and is sometimes seen as a submissive act," she says.

Got a question about sex that you're too embarrassed to ask? In the online sex misinformation crisis, getting accurate and reliable answers about sex is more difficult than ever before. Mashable is here to answer all your burning sex questions — from the weird and wonderful, to the graphic and gory. Think of us as your sexy agony aunts. Paraffin: These burn at a hotter point than soy candles, so try one if you’re into more intense (read: painful) wax play. Candle Ingredients to Avoid: Let's start at the beginning: what even is wax play? Put simply, wax play involves applying hot, molten wax from a candle onto a sexual partner's skin. For the person on the receiving end, there is a slight burning sensation from when wax hits the skin. The other person in the scenario, who is applying the wax, might enjoy a sense of power play.

It’s important that you test the wax on yourself before trying it on a partner so you can physically empathize with the sensation your partner will be experiencing, says Couple. That said, your pain tolerance might be way higher than your partner’s, so communication is always a must as well. 9. Start by dripping wax on less sensitive areas. Remember that if you don't feel comfortable with wax play and don't want to try it with a partner, it is important to voice your boundaries. Be sure to listen to what your partner has to say and ensure they feel heard but, if it still doesn't appeal to you, politely and firmly tell them that wax play isn't for you. How can I make wax play even hotter? While some do find it enjoyable, ensuring you have your partner’s consent is important, as well as understanding that wax play can potentially lead to injuries from either the flame or the heat of the wax if safety rules aren’t applied. It’s essential that wax play is performed with someone that you trust," says Ness. Is wax play safe? As with massage candles, you can't just use any old household candle for wax play. "The safest candle to use for wax play is a soy-based candle," Howard explains. "For extra sting, paraffin candles are your best bet." And finally, if you've already tried wax play out a few times but want to take it to the next level, here's what you need to try out according to sexpert Ness...