ChemicalPlay
Intro
This article is intended to share information on the practice of using chemical irritants in BDSM/Kink. The use of these materials are intended for consenting adults, and takes steps to recognize the risk of this type of play.
There is not a “safe” way to engage in this type of play. Even if it is done 100% correctly, there is always risk for things to not go as planned. Potential risks include but are not limited to allergic reactions (and developed reactions), chemical burns, contact dermatitis, bleeding, vomiting, defecation, infections, long term health complications. Risk can be MITIGATED but not ELIMINATED.
The author is not responsible for any injuries or negative results from engaging in this type of play, it is up to the individual to do their own research, patch test, and make risk aware choices.
Want a physical copy of this information, plus some bonuses? Purchase a booklet Here
What is ChemicalPlay?
ChemicalPlay – The use of materials or substances to induce sensations such as burning, warming, cooling, stinging, sickness, numbing, or itching.
People may use a variety of materials, or “Chemicals” to achieve these goals. Some examples are ginger, soap, peppers, menthol, salt, and more. The play is generally considered to be “Chemical” because of the sensations and reactions that happen as a result of introducing the various materials. For the sake of clarity, we will use the word “Materials” as a catch call in this article.
We will go more in-depth about specific materials later.
There is no way to practice this type of play 100% safely
There will always be the potential for unintended outcomes, injuries, or complications. Even in situations where everything goes exactly as planned. You can mitigate the risks, make risk aware decisions, and have a plan in place to neutralize the materials as well as you are able when choosing to engage in this type of play to make it lower risk.
Why would people want to engage in this?
There are many ways this can be played with, from gentle warming sensations during a sensual massage, cooling menthol kisses, numbing parts of the body during sexual experiences as a means of control, to sadomasochistic punishment, either at the hands of another or yourself.
It is a common misunderstanding that chemicalplay need be an overwhelming, painful experience. While it has the capacity be particularly intense if you want it to be, it can also be a type of mild sensation play depending on what the individual/s engaging in it want out of the experience.
Safety
It’s important to understand there very little research available on this
There is safety information available on many individual substances (but not all), though people may use them in unintended ways that were not anticipated (or outright recommended against) when creating the safety data sheets (SDS, which are amazing resources for this type of play). Much of what is known in a kink/BDSM context comes from anecdotal experiences with little known about long term health effects. Always do your own research whenever possible (This includes looking things up outside of this article!), look up safety information about individual materials, and always proceed with more caution than you think you need.
Some materials will have a more well known risk profile than others.
For example, we generally have a good understanding of what happens when capsaicin is introduced to different locations of the body due to its long term consumption and therapeutic use. We know less about kink-ifying stinging nettles as most information on them involves them being used as a food source or treating unintentional contact.
When evaluating a material to be used in chemicalplay, keep in mind just because a material can go in one place does not mean that it is okay to place in others. Similarly, some materials may be perfectly okay in their diluted state, but result in serious injury when concentrated. As a general rule of thumb, if you can eat it you can probably put it in someone’s mouth or in someone’s rectal cavity (though keeping in mind, the rectum will be more sensitive and prone to tearing), if it is approved for topical skin application you can probably put it on the skin, external genitals, and nipples.
There are exceptions to this rule.
Do not use anything that is not food grade or approved for it’s intended use for this type of play.
This includes essential oils, chemical compounds not intended for contact, controlled substances, materials that have a known tendency for unpredictable reactions, combining a variety of materials, or anything you are simply unsure of.
When it doubt leave it out.
What is mild to one person may be extreme to another.
here is no one size fits all to this type of play. People will have different sensitivity levels and tolerances to different varieties of sensations and pain. This may change day to day with an individual, as well as vary depending on the location the material is introduced to the body.
Always start with using very little and ramp up over time.
You can always add more, but you can’t take it away. Keep in mind if you are adding more, that some materials may have a cumulative effect.
Always test in patches prior to playing.
– You can test topical applications on the inner arm by leaving the material there for a few hours and watching for a potential reaction. If there is any sign of an allergic reaction or intolerance to the material, do not proceed. Keep in mind if the material you art patch testing is an irritant, some irritation may be a normative reaction.
– You can test materials in the mouth before introducing the material internally to determine intensity and reactivity. Test by placing a very small amount of the material either at the lips, or at the tip of the tongue. Avoid swallowing any notable amount of the material you are testing.
All individuals interacting with the material should test for sensitivity, as everyone involved will likely be coming into contact with it. If you have not engaged with a material in an extended period of time, re-do the test to screen for new sensitivities or allergies. If you are using an organic item with potential for variation (such as peppers, ginger, nettles, or otherwise), do a test to determine individual intensity. This includes different materials from the same plant (such as peppers).
During a scene, the bottom may have lowered body awareness
When someone is experiencing head spaces, sensual pleasure, or masochism the individual may have lowered body awareness for potential damage. The patch test helps determine in the absence of a head space if something is within an acceptable bracket of intensity. This is not guaranteed, as there is always the potential for cumulative damage, but can be a good step in risk mitigation. Once the scene has ended or an individual has experienced an orgasm, the sensation will feel significantly more intense than it previously felt. This change in sensation can happen within moments.
Avoid balms and mixtures outside of their intended use.
Some people may think to use balms (Such as tiger balm, Icyhot ect) during play. If these balms are being used as intended topically this is acceptable, but I do not recommend using them in unintended ways, such as internal insertion. They often have more ingredients then the active one causing the desired sensation, contain ingredients that should not be introduced internally (if you choose to play with it in such a way), and can result in unintended outcomes or adverse health effects. Keep in mind we absorb many materials more directly through the mucous membranes of the anal cavity than when we do when eating it. If you want a desired effect, look up what the active ingredient is and isolate it for your play.
The less complicated the material is, the easier it is to neutralize it if need be, isolate what may be causing a complication, research potential health effects and identify possible sensitivities/allergies.
Not all brands are created equal, not all plants grow the same.
Always check for individual variations if it is not from the same container or plant you were previously playing with, even if it is the same type.
Do not use undiluted concentrates.
These can at best cause chemical burns, and at worse be toxic. When diluting always be mindful you are using a compatible base. For example, if you are using an oil you would want to use an oil to dilute. If you used water with an oil, it would separate and the concentrated material would be spread while continuing to be in contact at full concentration. Water soluble materials such as soap or salt can be diluted with water or water bases, such as water based lubricant. Always test your base individually for reactions before introducing it to the person with the irritant. Keep in mind if you are considering diluting using alcohol, that alcohol is an irritant by its self and can be an intoxicant.
Avoid doing this type of play too regularly in the same location.
Repeated irritation to a single location can cause increased/decreased sensitivity, developing intolerances, potential for tissue damage such as bleeding, tearing, burns, sickness, and increase chances for adverse long term health effects such as cancer.
Even a mild encounter may result in the body rejecting the material. This can look like vomiting, gastrointestinal upset, excessive mucus production or crying.
Negotiations
You can’t “Red” out of Chemicalplay
Even if you call red (A type of safe wording to signal you need everything to stop immediately) and cease continued application of a material, you generally will have to “Ride it out” and wait for the effects to subside naturally. There are ways you can attempt to manage the discomfort such as diluting, wiping the material off, or washing the material off with soap/water, but you will not be able to make it stop entirely. Make sure this is clear in your negotiations with the other person.
Informed Consent
Be sure you and the other person engaging with this type of play have a complete understanding of the risk profile. This includes the risk of the specific material being used, where it is being used, worst case scenarios, and that it is inherently not a safe type of play even in incredibly mild applications.
Recognize needs may change in the moment
Even with the most thoughtful negotiations and test runs, someone may realize they have different needs or are not enjoying the experience in the moment. This is especially true if this is a new type of sensation for someone. Be prepared to end the scene and manage complications. Have an aftercare plan.
Medical Considerations
Have a plan in place for what to do if something goes unexpectedly. If there is an allergic reaction, have medication on hand, discuss the potential for a hospital visit ahead of time, the potential for lasting or visible injuries, the potential for sickness, and lingering effects for several hours to days after the scene has ended. If either of you are not willing to accept the potential for significant complications, do not engage in this type of play.
Signs You Should Seek Medical Attention
If the effects have not subsided for significantly longer than anticipated, there is visible severe tissue damage, bleeding from any orifices, excessive defecation or vomiting, signs of a new or worsening allergic reaction, lightheadedness, lack of coherency or anything else alarming, do not delay in seeking medical attention. Be upfront with your provider what happened. They have seen it all before and will see it again.
When Things Go Wrong
As with all kink there is always a chance of things not going as planned, or someone realizing part way in that they are not enjoying their experience.
While you cannot red out of this type of play, there are a few things you can do in advance to lower the effects while the individual rides out the duration of the material.
First of all, don’t panic!
It can be easy to start panicking if you or the person you are with is suddenly having a bad time. In situations like these, it’s important to try to keep a level head and respond intentionally. Panic can sometimes lead to elevated feelings of distress and making decisions that accidentally cause more harm. Try to take a second to breathe, remind the individual who is experiencing the negative effects that it will fade, and that things will be okay.
Wipe off excess material with a dry absorbent rag
Try to wipe off all excess material you can reach with a dry absorbent rag. Avoid anything moist as this can initially spread the material around, or in some cases cause it to become more intense. Try to do this very gently, avoid rubbing it in or causing abrasion on the skin. If the material is composed of particulates, try to remove as much as you can.
Dilute the material with a compatible base
Introduce a compatible neutral base to dilute and remove the material. If something is oil based, such as mint or peppers, introduce a neutral oil such as coconut oil to dilute and lift the material. If it is water based, such as ginger or soap, water is a good choice. Choose your base in advance and have it on hand prior to starting your scene. Avoid water if the material is oil based, as this can spread the material around more without lifting it causing reactivation. Be mindful if a material reactivates with water.
Wash the area gently with soap and water
Once you have lifted the material as much as possible, wash the area gently with unscented plain soap and cool water. Warm water can open up pores, trap the material in the skin, and increase the intensity. Take care not to cause abrasion and try to have the water run off of the body immediately from the site of the material to avoid spreading it to other locations. When washing the area, try to get the soap to create suds/bubbles as well as you are able without causing abrasion.
If there is an allergic reaction, prolonged adverse side effects or signs of serious damage, seek medical attention!
Locations
Check every individual location of application against the material you are using before applying it.
Not all materials can go in all places. Always err on the side of caution and triple check if you are not 100% positive. Patch test for new locations.
Skin – Lowest risk, still absorbs topical applications (though slower than other routes). Less sensitive depending on the location (nipples for example can sometimes be more sensitive than the thigh), easier to manage in the event of an undesired reaction.
Oral – Sensitive, can have sublingual absorption even when not fully ingested. Be mindful around reparatory inhalation for any material that may become aerosolized.
Genitals – Sensitive to some but not all materials, can have membrane absorption especially with vaginal insertion. More susceptible to chemical burns. External genitalia will have different considerations from internal genitalia when considering what materials are acceptable to apply.
Urethra – Sensitivity is material dependent. Comes with increased risk as the tissues of the urethra are very fragile, carries the risk of UTI. Never go deep, as the sensation will primarily be at the opening. Avoid materials that will leave behind physical material that may be difficult to remove. Only introduce sterile liquids to the bladder using medical equipment intended for that purpose.
Rectal – Very sensitive. The rectal cavity is extremely absorbent and bypasses the liver. The rectal tissues are sensitive and can tear more easily than other locations. May upset the microbiome long term and will likely cause GI upset or sickness.
Ingested – Proceed with caution, generally only viable if you are playing with intentionally inducing sickness with known materials. Moderate risk.
Open Wounds – Proceed with caution, direct exposure of materials to open wounds can antagonize the wound, delay healing, increase scarring and likelihood of infection.
Eyes – Extreme caution. If you are playing with the eyes with the intention to make someone cry, only use materials that have been tested specifically for interaction with the eyes, or use indirect contact with the eyes (such as onions). Be mindful if someone is wearing contacts, they can prolong irritation by trapping particulates or act as a barrier. Excessive inflammation of the eyes can blind someone.
Respiratory system – Do not under any circumstances introduce substances or materials to someone’s lungs. This can cause asphyxiation, anaphylaxis, long term adverse health effects and death.
Injections – Do not inject anything that is not sterile or made for this purpose into someone’s body. This can cause infections, allergic reactions, toxicity and sickness.
Chart
Individual Materials
Final Notes
As stated in the beginning of this article, there is very little information out there about this type of play. Writing this, teaching this, and talking about this is my attempt to rectify that and give people the tools to make more informed choices. Most of this information has been sourced from personal experience, experimentation with those close to me, and reading copious amounts of first hand accounts from others. For safety information, I referenced product labeling, SDS (Safety Data Sheets), and any research I was able to get my hands on. Not all materials have this information available.
I will likely be constantly updating this information over time as I learn more, play with more things, or as new information becomes available. So long as my website is active, I will keep updated information on it that can be referenced.
As with all type of play, take whatever steps you can to mitigate risk, make your own risk aware choices, use excellent communication with your partner/s and remember to have fun!
If you would like a physical copy of this, plus some extra information such as my personal experiences, you can buy a stapled booklet Here
Support Me
Everything I publish, every zine I distribute, and many of the classes I teach are created with passion and financially supported out of my own pocket. If you like the resources I am making, consider supporting me.
Last updated 04/10/2025