Fetish Friday: Needle Play
Kink refers to all socially deemed ‘unorthodox’ sexual practices that a person takes part in or is into, while fetish describes the focus of their sexual fantasies (whether those are living beings or inanimate objects). When one considers either definition, both are often regarded as off-limits, as far as prescribed societal norms typically go.
Thankfully, the world is becoming increasingly sex-positive, resulting in many fetishes and kinks being ‘normalized.’ That said, not every fetish (or fetishes) a person has is understood, possibly due to varying subcultures that can branch from a single fetish or kink. As a result, outsiders can be uncertain of what they entail.
Today, we’ll be delving into the kink of needle play, including the potential overlap of a syringe fetish, to help understand the topic. We hope that it will give you a better idea of what it’s like to have this kink or fetish and what someone who takes part in it or fantasizes about it is into.
What is needle play?
Needle play, also commonly referred to as ‘play piercing’ or ‘recreational acupuncture,’ involves using needles, sharpened bones, or other similar tools to pierce one’s skin or that of a sexual partner. This is a cross-section of the world of BDSM, meaning that it can be enjoyed in a Dominant/submissive relationship, too. For some folx, needle play is practiced for the sole purpose of engaging in pricking the skin of themselves or another, but for others, there is also the element of a syringe fetish present. In this case, someone is aroused by using (or the thought of using) a syringe during sexual play.
Common misconceptions
There are several misconceptions on needle play, and we want to address the main ones here. First off, needle play is different from experiencing a fetish for someone with piercings on their body. On that note, this particular kink can be practiced both as solo play (pricking one’s skin themself) or with one or more partners. It doesn’t have to be painful, and selecting thin over thick needles can make a difference in the pain levels experienced. Typically, it’s recommended to choose a very thin syringe to begin, usually around 20 grams or 0.8 millimetres.
How to talk about it with your partner
It’s important to talk to your partner about your kinks and fetishes before trying it out together or forcing it on them (which is never acceptable. Remember: complete, enthusiastic consent is always required before any sexual activity). Explain what aspects of needle play you’re into and how you’d enjoy exploring it. Bring up the safety precautions you would be taking together, how you would perform aftercare, and answer any questions or concerns that they might have.
Things to try
In addition to experimenting with pricking different body areas and venturing to try needles of varying thicknesses, there are other ways to explore play piercing. Some folx enjoy exploring a Dom and sub dynamic (as mentioned earlier), role-playing scenarios involving recreational acupuncture or doctor and patient, or adding a stimulation device such as a TENS machine.
Are there risks to consider?
When experimenting with syringes and needles, we can’t emphasize enough the importance of taking your time, practicing it while sober, and ensuring you know what you’re doing. Before beginning, we recommend having sterile cleansing wipes, wound care supplies, an anti-microbial cleaning spray, and a needle-proof (sharps) container to dispose of used needles in. If you are not fluid-bonded partners, consider wearing medical gloves. Avoid sharing used needles to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) exchanging through blood and have a safeword in place.
How can I learn more?
It’s essential to educate yourself to the best of your ability prior to needle play. You can get basic information by perusing some of the best sex blogs on the internet for ideas and safety tips, but we also recommend checking out your local BDSM dungeon or sex club to see if they offer classes on safe play piercing.
We hope you now fully understand what needle play is, including the experience of a syringe fetish, and how it can influence a person’s sexual arousal.
Should the topic come up in the future, we anticipate that you will feel more open to speaking about it from a place of knowledge. Whether it’s feeling open to further understand the fetish from someone who engages in it first-hand or educating someone who may be closed off to the idea, we feel that we have done our job to help make the world a more sexually inclusive place.
Do you enjoy play piercing or have a syringe fetish? Is recreational acupuncture something you’d be interested in trying out with a partner or during solo play? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
