Nowadays, we’re living in a world where sex is no longer that big of a taboo. Sure enough, we still giggle and get all red cheeks when talking about it, but it’s safe to say most of us enjoy some sort of kink or fetish. One of the most popular perversions revolves around the BDSM fetish. From bondage and discipline to dominance and submission to sadism and masochism, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Aside from whips, collars, and high heels, a classic bondage kinkster usually has some sort of mask to complete their look. This is regardless of whether they’re a Dom or a sub, as gimps (submissive males) enjoy covering their face as well. Still, BDSM play can be quite risky if you’re a newbie. Luckily, we have a list of some tips on how to use bondage masks and hoods in the following few paragraphs.
What Is a Bondage Mask?
In essence, a bondage mask is a piece of fetish wear that goes over your face. Masks and hoods are often made from leather or latex. Both work great as they are shiny and have that spooky quality that’s essential for the BDSM community.
There are all sorts of masks and hoods with different properties. Yet, they have one thing in common — they cover your face and, in turn, identity. That is what makes them so popular among bondage fetishists.
Some classic models include zippers that go over the mouth, nose, or eyes. They can also go over all three, depending on your preferences. On the other hand, there are some with exaggerated noses and ears or some that even resemble animals.
What Is the Purpose of Bondage Masks and Hoods?
“But why would anyone be looking to hide their face?” you might add. Well, sure, the BDSM scene isn’t a group of bank robbers. The idea behind covering your identity is somewhat the same as that of role-play. You’d want to transcend from your body and become someone else — someone who isn’t bound by shame or guilt for enjoying what they do.
On the flip side, there’s more to bondage masks than just identity transformation. Since some of them can completely shut airflow, you can experiment with sensory play ideas. Some of these include erotic asphyxiation, which means choking yourself on purpose. Yep! Many folks enjoy that, regardless of how risky the kink itself is and most of them get theirs at laidtex.com.
Diving Into Sensory Play
Sensory exploration is a great way to spice up your sex life. There are numerous ways to go about it, from using ice cubes or hot wax to nipple clamps and breathplay. Naturally, breathplay is perfectly suited for bondage masks. As we’ve mentioned above, the mask restricts airflow, making it a sensory deprivation technique.
Still, depriving yourself of air isn’t just about masochism. Sensory experiences function in a way that they restrict one sense to make others more sensitive. Do you know how blind people develop better hearing? Well, something similar happens during sensory play. As you suffocate yourself, the rest of your body becomes more responsive to sexual stimulation.
Everything Must Be Consensual
For this type of play to function properly, it must be consensual. By this, both parties must agree that what they’re doing is okay. This is generally the rule when it comes to sexual relationships, of course. But when it comes to something more extreme like sensory play, it takes a whole new meaning. Forcing someone to participate in a sexual act that might hurt them is and should be punishable by law.
Aside from consent, to make BDSM play safe, you’ll also need safe words. Safe words can be anything the two of you come up with. The point is to stop whatever you’re doing once someone mentions them. They’re like safety buttons that signal you to stop if things get too heated and cross into unwanted territory. It’s best to use words that are out of context, like potato, toothpaste, or something along those lines.
Plan an Emergency Escape
Sensory activities can often lead to accidents. One of the most famous cases of death through breathplay was that of David Carradine. The legend of exploitation cinema died in 2009 in a Bangkok hotel. There, he was found naked and hanging after experimenting with sexual asphyxiation. Unfortunately, he didn’t have an exit strategy for what he was doing. Therefore, if you’re looking to try this kink, it’s needless to say that you must have one.
The first line of defense is to practice breathplay with someone you trust. Aside from being familiar to you and trustworthy, they should also be experienced in this sort of kink. However, if you’re alone and the zippers on your mask get stuck, it’s best to have something sharp to cut your mask. Of course, this isn’t ideal by any chance, but it’s still something. It’s better to cut yourself a bit than to die while choking under a stuck mask that restricts you of air.
Aftercare
Another key aspect of BDSM play is aftercare. Aftercare is pretty much self-explanatory, as it consists of partners taking care of each other after the sexual deed is over. It’s essential for extreme acts such as sensory play. The dominant partner should put their role aside and tend to the sub by providing both physical and emotional aid. That means tending to their wounds if there are any and talking things through.
Aftercare is a great concept, not just because it mends what the deed breaks. It’s also a way to explore what was good and what was bad about the previously done. By doing so, two partners can change their script and plan things differently to have a better future experience. If something didn’t feel right, or if you didn’t enjoy it, it’s key to raise your voice. On the other hand, if your partner has something to say, you should listen and take notes.