Wax play tends to be a big staple in our community. I see it at a lot of parties, and all over FetLife. Due to this, and sticking with my theme of fire play, I figured I’d do a quick write up on waxes, temperatures, and more!

We regularly see and hear about wax play and almost everyone advises us to get Paraffin or “low temp” candles for wax play.

In my opinion, this is great advice for beginners as it puts you in pretty much the middle range of the waxes. It’s cool enough to not cause damage but hot enough to give a burning sensation. But one thing that I want to advise everyone is to not give up here! It is possible to go up or down the temperature spectrum depending on your needs.

For example, I have done tons of wax play with paraffin, and even with some beeswax. However, when Pumpkintitssss and I first got together, it was one of the first things that I tried on her. We started with paraffin, and her skin was way too sensitive for it. This turned her away from wax for a very long time, and to be completely honest at that point all I knew about was beeswax and paraffin, I hadn’t explored the other ranges. So overall we just avoided it. Going through more and more research and learning more and more about this, we have been able to find a specific blend that does work very well for her skin, and that she actually enjoys.

I will also say that while I do make candles for play, I am by no means a professional. So if anything, take the information that I provide in this to a professional candle maker and use this to facilitate a conversation with them on what you may need for your purposes.

I’m more than happy to advise or help in any way I can. With that being said, this is going to be a fairly short writing just to get the information out there.

Types of Waxes

As mentioned above, there are a variety of types of waxes all with different properties. Different waxes pour differently, different ones melt at different temperatures, and many other things. Use the below as a guide to kind of help you get started, but not as the end all be all resource.

Beeswax

Melting Point: 144-149 ℉

Beeswax is a fairly common and naturally occurring wax that is used in candles. It’s usually pretty easy to find, especially a most hobby stores. A word of caution about this is it does have a fairly high temperature and it can cause burns if you don’t know what you’re doing.

When doing wax play with beeswax candles, you typically have to hold the candle much further away from the skin to try to protect it from receiving any kind of burns. This will also depend upon the bottom’s skin. I advise only moving to beeswax if you and your bottom are fully informed of what’s going to happen, small tests have been done, and cooler burning candles are not warm enough for you. As another piece of advice, I would go with a blend prior to stepping up to this level.

Soy Wax

Melting Point: 113-127 ℉

Soy wax is one that is becoming more and more commonplace in our space. This is one of the cooler burning candles, and is the type that I make for play with PumpkinTitssss. These type of candles are slightly warm. I tend to explain them as being about “luke warm”. With these there is typically no burning sensation or damage to the skin in any form.

These candles are great for those that have sensitive skin and cannot handle paraffin.

Paraffin Wax

Melting Point: 115-142 ℉

Paraffin wax is typically one of the first ones that we are introduced to. It’s still burns a little warm, and definitely enough to feel, but cool enough not to cause any serious consequences. Paraffin candles are typically advertised as “low temp” candles in most stores, and from most vendors.

I would say that paraffin is a very good starting point, especially for somebody new going into wax play as it’s kind of in the middle of being too hot, and being too cool.

Keep in mind that many manufacturers are starting to move away from paraffin due to the potential of it releasing possibly harmful chemicals while being burned. I have not confirmed this, this is only what I have heard.

Coconut Wax

Melting Point: 124-127 ℉

Coconut wax is another one that has a fairly mild melting temperature. However, keep in mind that you will never get pure coconut wax, it’s always going to be mixed with something else and as such, these candles should be looked at with a little bit of caution.

Rapeseed (Canola) Wax

Melting Point: 125-136 ℉

Rapeseed or Canola Oil candles also fall into a similar category as coconut wax. Typically they are going to be a blend with something else and as such should also be viewed with caution. These are a better option if your bottom needs a little bit higher temperature, as they still burn cooler than beeswax typically.

Blend

Melting Point: Varies

I decided to put blend in its own category, as there are candle manufacturers out there that create a wide range of blends. Blends can be a combination of any type of multiple solution, I would even put DyeAddictRope’s Massage candles in this category. Although I believe they are soy based.

With blends, it’s very important to talk to the manufacturer to understand what base is being used and what is being blended into it. It’s important to keep in mind that anything can change the melting point of a candle, even the oils that are put in as fragrances can potentially change the melting point. It’s important to test these out in a careful and controlled manner prior to engaging in any type of play with.

Gel

Melting Point: 180 ℉

Gel candles are typically specialty candles, you tend to see these in a lot of home decor stores. Due to their high melting point. I fully advise against ever using these in play. At these temperatures, you can start causing severe damage to the skin and underlying tissues. There may be some more experienced individuals out there that are capable of playing with these, however, I’m just going to go ahead and state don’t do it.

Palm Wax

Melting Point: 180 ℉

I’m going to keep this one on the same level as the gel candles. Due to the excessively high temperatures here, just do not play with them. Again, these temperatures can begin causing damage to skin and underlying tissues, leave them alone.

Fragrances

As an additional note on fragrances, I’d like to include this note from the comments below:

I’d like to add that candles with fragrance should not be used because like you said it can change the melting point. Also the bottom could be allergic to it. Always ask about allergies.

Closing thoughts

As with all of my writings, I want to close with the fact that I am not an expert and I do not know everything there is to know about everything. If there are experienced individuals out there that want to comment on this writing and make any type of corrections, or suggestions. I fully encourage it and welcome all constructive criticism.