Using
Wax During Love Play
The flicker of a candle dancing around the walls adds an air of romance that most couples enjoy. Here in Perils of Pleasure we openly admit that the glow of one or many candles does heighten the intimate atmosphere. That golden glow of the flame reflecting off naked skin enhances sexual passion and lovemaking.
While nearly everyone agrees that sex a la candlelight can be erotic, others
consider the sight of glowing candles to mean something else – the application
of hot wax to the skin as a part of sex play. Although we know that this initially
sounds horrifying, there are quite a few people who become rather aroused by
the concept of applying or having the molten wax applied to soft skin, especially
to the sensitive areas of the body such as nipples and genitals.
If you are involved or want to become involved in this type of sex play, there
are several things your need to know. First, you are dealing with heat. Heat,
if not controlled, can cause serious and even critical burns. Second, you are
playing with fire. There are many horror stories about candles that were unattended
or knocked over causing the house to burn down. To be honest, running out of
a burning house naked and in front of the neighbors doesn’t sound too appealing.
What we will be talking about here deals with fire safety as well as proper
waxing techniques.
Since it is easier and quicker to talk about fire safety, let’s briefly
mention some considerations other than ones you know almost by heart. When you
are ‘playing’ with fire or merely using it to enhance the setting,
be sure that you know the location of the nearest fire extinguisher (preferably
very close at hand, not down the hall). You may also want to have a few wet
towels available nearby in case the candle gets knocked over or dropped causing
a small fire. A burning candle accidentally dropped onto your partner can be
quickly extinguished with a wet towel. Remember, setting your partner on fire
is merely a euphemism and not your primary objective. Finally, have a few ice
cubes in a bowl close at hand. When a pool of liquid wax lands on your partner,
the pool takes longer to cool and may increase the chance of burning. Dipping
an ice cube into the pool of wax cools it faster and reduces the risk of a burn.
Additionally, the variation of hot and cold sensations could add a little more
spice.
What You
Will Need
When considering adding hot wax to your array of sexual delights, you will need
to have the right equipment. You and your partner agree to involve wax and immediately
run to the candle store and buy fancy candles. After all, expensive candles
are special, this is a special occasion, thus expensive candles are the best
ones to use, right? Wrong! Expensive candles are usually made of beeswax because
they are easier to mold into desired and, perhaps, unusual shapes, and they
burn for a long time. The reason beeswax candles burn for a long time is that
it takes higher temperatures to melt the wax. Many unfortunate couples have
learned this unique feature after sustaining significant burning that was nowhere
near pleasant.
So, what candles should you buy? The best candles to use are the ones made from
paraffin containing no dyes or added ingredients. While colors or little sparkles
look pretty, they increase the melting point of the wax. You’re thinking,
candle wax isn’t that hot and the skin is pretty tough. What difference
should it make? You might be surprised to know that skin begins to burn at 113æF
(45æC). Granted, it burns slowly at that temperature, but, at 150æF (66æC),
the outmost layer of the skin, the epidermis, is destroyed within two seconds.
That information is only a small part of the picture. The chart below shows
the melting temperatures of some of the more commonly available waxes.
Type of Wax Degrees F Degrees C Crude Beeswax 143.0 – 150.0 62.0 – 66.0 White Beeswax 141.8 – 156.2 61.0 – 69.0 Jojoba 52.2 – 53.2 11.2 – 11.8 Paraffin 120.2 – 145.4 49.0 – 63.0
If you don’t want to use candles, you can use a potpourri pot or a wax melting pot. Instead of candles you can buy a block of paraffin wax that you can break apart and place inside the melting pot. Because these pots may not have a thermostat, it is a good idea to have a meat thermometer on hand to periodically check the temperature of the wax. If you are using paraffin do not allow the temperature to exceed 130æF.
A meat thermometer to monitorthe temperature helps prevent burns.
In addition to candles or melting pot, you will need something under your partner to protect the carpet, furniture, or sheets. For example, if your partner will be on the floor, wax in the carpet is tough to get out. Use an old sheet, towel, or drop cloth – something that can be thrown out after one or more uses. Wax that misses your partner will land on the covering, not on your furniture.
Applying the Wax
When applying the wax you can drip it from a candle or brush it onto the skin
with a small paintbrush. You can also splash the wax and pour it onto your partner.
Keeping the candle or paintbrush at least 18 inches above the skin will let
the temperature of the wax cool enough to prevent burning. If you are planning
on splashing your partner by pouring the wax, be sure the temperature of the
wax is cool enough to prevent burning. As we mentioned before, if burns occur,
use the ice cubes or wet towels to reduce the heat and lessen the burn.
In the Event of a Burn
Whenever using a candle in lovemaking, whether for ambience or sensual play,
there is a risk for fire and burns. Keep in mind, once there is a burn, intimacy
and sex are over. A burn can be minor, serious, or critical depending on the
type of burn and what part of the body is burned.
Minor burns are called first degree burns and usually consist of red skin and
pain. Think about sunburn – the skin is red, hot to the touch, and painful.
A more serious burn – a second degree burn – causes blisters on the
skin that are filled with fluid. A second degree burn is also painful. A critical
burn consists of charring the skin and is known as a third degree burn. This
burn destroys the skin and nerves and, because of this, the burn does not hurt.
If you or your partner get burned, there are some simple steps to take to reduce
the severity of the injury. First, stop the burning. Remove the heat by putting
out the fire then applying cold water to the burn. The longer the heat stays,
the worse the burn. Do not use anything that is oily like butter or petroleum
jelly. These substances keep the heat in the skin, increasing the damage. After
the heat is gone additional first aid measures can be taken such as applying
Solarcaine® to a minor burn or a dry, sterile dressing to a more serious
burn. A doctor should always look at a large first degree burn and any second
or third degree burn.
What Goes On Must
Come Off
Yes, Virginia, there is a down side! You and your partner have spent an exciting
evening using the sensuality of hot wax to enhance the moment. After that moment
has ended, the wax has to be removed. No, the wax doesn’t suddenly disappear
as soon as the heat of the moment has passed. After the passion has subsided,
it becomes necessary to remove the cooled wax. The degree of difficulty of this
task varies with the amount of hair on your partner’s body, especially
where the wax has landed. Applying wax to bare (shaved) skin makes removal easy.
You can facilitate wax removal by applying a small amount of mineral or baby
oil before using the hot wax.
Wax can be removed by pulling it or scraping it off. Use a blunt edge such as
a plastic card to scrape the wax from the skin. Stubborn wax and wax that is
attached to fuzzy parts of the body can be more easily removed in a hot shower.
The Flickering Fades
Using heat, especially wax, during sex play can enhance lovemaking, but, there
are some inherent dangers. By being careful, you can enjoy adding heat to the
“heat of the moment.”