Wax Dripping Safety

How can wax dripping be safe?

USE THE RIGHT WAX.

All wax blends contain different components. This means the temperatures of candles made from these have the potential to be harmful with use on sensitive areas.

  • Soy melts around 54 °C (130 °F) – the mildest and better for beginners since it cools and hardness on skin contact and is the least likely to cause irritations.
  • Paraffin melts around 57 °C (135 °F) – it burns a little hotter and will give the skin a strong blush tone.
  • Beeswax melts at around 63 °C (145 °F) – DO NOT use these candles for wax dripping. It might not seem like much difference, but it’s quite a leap. Even to the point of causing serious burns and blistering.

The temperatures above are based on their pure wax form. Once you start using candles with additives, the melting point can change up to 5 °C. These include colours, scents, Inhibitors and stabilisers.

 

TEST PATCH BEFOREHAND

Always test the candle on the inside of YOUR OWN wrist before dripping.  Then, test it on your partner’s wrist.

Remember, pain tolerance to heat is a very personal thing.

 

AFTERCARE

Wax dripping can cause skin to heat up for prolonged periods of time. Always make sure you have moisturising cream, aloe vera cream or sunburn cream to help soothe the skin.

 

Candle care –

  • Never leave lit candles unattended.
  • Once extinguished, Make sure there is no residual wax to clog the wick.
  • For container candles, especially glass, check wicks are maintained. Our wicks are self trimming, but they may unexpectedly need personal care.
  • When dripping handheld candles, turn the candle regularly, to ensure it melts evenly around the wax.
  • Do not drip candles upside down. This increases the heat, starves wick of oxygen and creates black sooting.

 

Things to remember –

  • Make sure to avoid getting wax on clothes, the colour may stain fabric.
  •  Make clean-up easier by always using a dropsheet. We recommend laying down an old sheet, a plastic sheet or towel.
  • Anytime there is fire, even a single candle, there should always be a container of water just in case the worst happens. That, or wet towels or fire extinguisher.
  • Do NOT put the candle flame on the skin.
  • Do NOT use if you are allergic to soy wax or coconut.
  • Test different areas of the skin – the sensitivity varies greatly, and per person.
  • Don’t let wax pool in the natural “valleys” of the body – it takes longer to cool and leaves heat on the skin longer, which is bad.
  • Wax is for external use only.
  • Cover piercings and tie hair back.
  • Rotate the candle so it burns evenly and the wax stays clean.
  • If you don’t know how high, keep to an 18-inch rule.
  • very thin layer of massage oil beforehand makes the wax easier to remove (but it’s debated in the community if the oil affects the cooling time on the skin, so use with caution and discretion, or not at all).
  • Ice hardens wax and makes it easier to take off.
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