Key points
- Use only body-safe wax: paraffin or soy
- Never use beeswax, which burns too hot
- Test temperature on yourself first
- Dripping from higher up means cooler wax on the skin
- Have burn treatment ready
In detail
- Safer waxes: Low-temperature paraffin candles (melting point around 125 to 135°F, or 52 to 57°C) and soy candles
- Avoid: Beeswax (melts at 145 to 150°F, or 63 to 66°C, and above), cheap candles with additives, birthday candles
- Temperature control: Dripping from higher up is cooler and closer is hotter; test on your inner wrist
- Safe areas: Back, chest, thighs, buttocks (avoid the face, genitals, and broken skin)
- Preparation: Cover area with oil for easier removal, protect hair, keep fire extinguisher nearby
- Removal: Peel gently, can use oil to help, warm cloth, avoid ripping
- Burns: Cool with water immediately, apply burn gel, and seek medical help if serious
Warnings
- Wrong wax type causes severe burns
- Hair will stick to wax painfully
- Fire hazard: keep flammable items away
- Burns can be worse than they initially appear
- Allergic reactions possible
- Scarring possible from burns
Resources and next steps
- Buy body-safe candles from reputable sources
- Have burn treatment supplies ready
- Practice on less sensitive areas first
- Learn first aid for burns
- Keep fire extinguisher nearby