Body Writing is the practice of writing words, phrases, or symbols on a partner's skin, usually with a marker, body-safe paint, or temporary tattoo ink. It turns the body into a surface for messages that range from affectionate to degrading, depending on what the people involved want.
People are drawn to it for the mix of intimacy and vulnerability it creates. Being marked can feel like a form of claiming, teasing, or ownership, and the words often stay in mind long after they wash off. It also works as a low-equipment form of play, easy to fold into a scene, a photo set, or a long-distance exchange.
Worth knowing: Use only skin-safe, non-toxic markers or paints, patch test first if there is any sensitivity, and never write on broken skin or near the eyes, mouth, or genitals.
Also called: marker play, body marking, skin writing, temporary tattoos, body paint, verbal marking
