Temperature play


Temperature play is a form of BDSM sensual play where objects and substances are used to stimulate the body's neuroreceptors for heat and cold for sensual effect.

Temperature play in general

Substances can include water, oil, molten wax, ice, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, melted butter, chilled fresh fruit and steamed vegetables.
Objects can include cutlery, ball chains, necklaces and many others, often pre-heated in hot water or chilled in ice water.
Space heaters, radiators, and other sources of heat can also be used for stimulating sensory arousal with heat.
Blindfolds are often used to intensify the effects, and bondage can also amplify the experience.
General scenarios are placing the person in a situation where they are exposed to heat and cold conditions more directly.
Safety precautions should be used which are appropriate for the materials, techniques and body parts involved.

Variants of temperature play

Fire play

Fire play is a form of temperature play that involves using flame on or very close to, the skin. The flame is typically on or applied with a fire wand, and frequently utilizes 70% isopropyl alcohol as fuel. Other common fire play toys include flaming gloves and flaming floggers; other common varieties of fuel include 91% isopropyl alcohol, mousse, hand sanitizer, super-proof rum, grain alcohol, and flash cotton. As with many forms of BDSM play, the proper tools, fuels, and safety guidelines are often in hot contention between players.
Fire play is usually considered a form of edge play - frequently exciting, but with significant dangers. Unlike other forms of edge play, fire play scenes tend to look kinder and gentler; although it can be dramatic, the sensations inflicted in most fire play scenes aren't actually painful. Fire play also rarely leaves marks on the skin - though some people deliberately burn the skin slightly to leave it red and irritated.

Bouncing/Streaking

The two most common fire play techniques are bouncing and streaking. In bouncing, lit fire wands are bounced along the skin. This may or may not involve transfer of burning fuel.
In streaking, fuel is applied directly to the skin, lit, and then extinguished before the skin begins to burn. Frequently the fuel is applied to the skin with unlit fire wands, then ignited with a lit fire wand.

Fire cupping

is where the air inside a cup is heated then placed on the skin - the cooling air creates a low-pressure pocket that pulls the skin partially into the cup. Experienced cuppers can create varying strengths of suction by controlling the heat of the cup.
Fire cupping was appropriated from traditional and holistic medicine communities. Cupping was used in Western medicine to encourage blood movement as recently as the American Civil War. It is still used by masseurs and in Chinese medicine as well as in traditional Arab medicine. For this reason, cupping sets can be found in some Asian stores. Some merchants will only sell sets to licensed massage therapists.
Methods include:
Fire cupping typically leaves small, round marks on the body that may last for hours or for days. If a single area is cupped again and again, a deep bruise may form and not disappear for some time.
Fire cupping is often combined with blood play, and is then usually termed blood- or wet-cupping.. The skin is pierced before the cups are applied; the suction then draws blood out of the wound.

Ice play

Ice play is a form of temperature play that usually involves running pieces of ice across a person's naked skin. In popular culture this form of cold temperature play is frequently shown as foreplay to suggest sex with a flair of kink/interest but which may not be classed as BDSM - see movies such as Do the Right Thing, and 9½ Weeks. In BDSM, it's not uncommon for ice play to be used more elaborately. Ice is sometimes used as an insertable, but this is risky because ice, as it melts, can form edges sharp enough to cut skin or tender tissues. Part or all of the body may be immersed in ice or ice water for short periods of time. Ice may be used to provide contrast in a scene that also involves warm or hot stimuli.

Cold and Heat exposure

Exposure to heat and cold conditions is often employed. These are usually extremes of either of these not usually experienced on an everyday basis.
A common and easily employed type of cold torture is to make subjects stand or lay naked in snow. This can be either freely or tied up. Where a subject is tied it may be in a stretched or splayed out position to expose as much of the body to the extreme condition. A variant of cold exposure is to water down a subject with cold water in cold or windy conditions or employing fans. The risks of cold exposure are hypothermia and frostbite.
Common methods of heat torture are to wrap a subject in plastic wrap, blankets, or leather or pvc bodysuits, usually with their legs together and their arms next to their body. Other methods include physical activity in severe heat or sun exposure. Lesser used methods employ heaters, fire or coals for direct exposure to extreme heat. Other physical tortures such as electric shock are sometimes applied at the same time to make the subject exert themselves in order to generate more body heat. The main risk of heat exposure is dehydration but under extreme conditions heatstroke can also occur.
With both heat and cold exposure other torture methods are sometimes applied at the same time. General heat and cold exposure may be used as foreplay where during which intercourse occurs or orgasm is induced.