A Primer on Wax Play


No disrespect to missionary position, but Doc Johnson wants to expand your sex life. Our goal is to clear away any confusion from sex play that isn't widely discussed. We started with a few tips on how to introduce toys into your partner play, and then wrote a primer on pussy pumps. Now we're here to give a little intro into the world of temperature and wax play, a subject that can seem much more intimidating than it actually is.

Wax play requires more research and preparation than other types of sex. First and foremost, as with any sexual activity, you need to discuss it with your partner (or partners) and make sure you're all on the same page. It's a light BDSM act that could cause pain, so set up safe words before you get started.

When bringing up temperature play on Instagram and Twitter, the main question asked was why people would want to do this. And the answer is that temperature play is nothing new. It's a way to heighten your senses and intensify the feelings you have during intercourse.

So, when getting started, there's a lot to know.

When considering wax play, what should I do first?
Research! Pouring hot wax on yours or your partner's body shouldn't be done without a plan. You should know types of candles, oils, and cleanup plans. Also, before doing absolutely anything else, buy a fire extinguisher! Any time you play with fire for any reason, you need to have a fire extinguisher on hand, just in case.

Can I use any candle?
No! There are thousands of types of candles, and different waxes have different melting points, so when starting out, it's important to begin with a wax that melts at a relatively low heat. According to Wikipedia, the melting points of common wax candles are as follows:
  • Soy Candles commonly melt at around 46-57 °C.
  • Paraffin Candles typically melt at around 47-65 °C
  • Beeswax Candles commonly melt at around 62-65 °C.
  • Microcrystalline wax commonly melts at around 63-93 °C (unsafe for wax play).
  • Stearin commonly melts at around 80 °C (unsafe for wax play).
Will it mark my skin?
It is absolutely possible that melting wax could scar, so before you go all in, you should test a very small amount to make sure your body reacts well to it.

Can I put the wax on any part of my body?
Basically, yes, you can put the wax (that you've already tested on a small patch of skin) anywhere on the outside of the body. We recommend starting on less-sensitive areas of the body such as your stomach or back to make sure that you're comfortable with the sensation before moving to more sensitive areas such as the nipples or genitalia. We do not recommend putting it anywhere internal.

It's also important to remember that the wax will dry and have to be removed, so putting it on hairy areas may cause some unintended pain and hair removal at the end. We recommend shaving the areas you're intending to use before beginning.

What do I have to do to prepare for using wax?
As mentioned above, shave the areas you're using, especially if you plan on using wax on sensitive areas, like testicles or nipples. Another important precursor to wax play is using baby oil. Oiling up your body with baby oil before pouring wax on will greatly improve the speed of the removal process.

What type of candle do you recommend?
When just starting, begin with a soy or paraffin candle, so that you can make sure that your skin won't be too harmed by the temperature. Doc Johnson makes Multi-color Japanese Drip Candles that are made from paraffin wax.

Okay I lit the candle; what do I do now?
Start playing! Go slowly with the wax, as it can pool and create inconsistent temperatures. Pour from 8-11 inches above the skin, so it has time to cool in the air, but adjust for whatever feels best for you and your partner. Be open to the new feeling, and be super communicative with your partner.

Kinkly.com has a great article about wax play. In it, they give the following tips: "[Move] slowly and carefully over a small area, taking time to go over areas where you have already laid down some drops. Wax play is the most intense when it first lands on someone but as the wax cools, the sensation becomes less intense - and the previous wax builds up, giving a sensual and luxurious feeling of warmth. By the way, if your bottom reacts negatively—along the lines of 'Get this shit off me!' - rather than applying water or such, just rub your hand along where the wax has been dribbled. This will smear the hot wax and quickly cool it down."

How do I clean this up?
Once you've finished pouring the wax, you can still play with the cold, hardened residual. Twisting it off, tapping it, or peeling it slowly can still be stimulating.

The easiest way to clean it up is to prepare for the aftermath before you begin. Wax isn't known to be a simple material to get out of fabric, so lay down a sheet you're happy to throw out afterward, and be extra careful where it falls, especially if you're playing around a rug or carpeting.

What's the after-play process?
Just because you tried a more intense type of sex play than you're used to doesn't mean that the entire experience needs to be hardcore. Keep your post-coital traditions of cuddling, kissing, and whatever else is normal for you, then add a little skin care to it. The skin that's had hot wax on it will be super sensitive, so apply a nourishing lotion liberally. A bit of aloe goes a long way too!

For questions you have about wax play or any other type of sex, tweet or DM us at @TheOriginalDoc.

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