Face Slapping During Sex Guide: Techniques & Risks

Learn how to safely slap your partner in the face during sex to increase pleasure and polarize power play.

Face slapping is an activity that pushes the edges of play—it carries some risk and can evoke negative associations with domestic abuse, making it off-putting for some.

However, when executed with care, a well-placed slap can provide a visceral thrill for both Dominant and submissive alike. For the submissive, it can be a powerful way to experience humiliation and pain, while for the Dominant, it’s an intimate method of exerting control and immediately commanding attention.

Let’s walk through how to properly and safely slap someone in a way that enhances pleasure while avoiding injury to that beautiful face.

Why Do People Enjoy Face Slapping During Sex?

Not everyone’s cup of tea, but some people really enjoy engaging in face slapping, often for a myriad of reasons.

Some common reasons include:

• Pain and Pleasure: One of the cornerstones of BDSM is the interplay between pain and pleasure, creating a symphony of sensations. Because the face is highly sensitive, even a light slap can produce a sharp sting that some find intensely pleasurable.
• Degradation and Humiliation: Outside of BDSM or sexual contexts, a slap to the face is often associated with anger, disgust, or disappointment. This history can make face slapping feel degrading or humiliating, heightening the psychological aspects of submission.
• Rough Play: Some people enjoy face slapping as part of a broader interest in rough body play or rough sex.
• Expression of Dominance and Submission: In power dynamics, face slapping can be a tool for reinforcing Dominance. A well-timed slap brings the submissive’s full attention to the control the Dominant has over her.

Whatever draws you to face slapping, exploring your own erotic mind can help deepen your understanding of your desires.

How to Face Slap During Sex

Risks

Face slapping carries inherent risks, especially if done incorrectly, due to the number of vital structures in the face.

Here are some potential risks to be aware of:

• Perforated Eardrum: Striking the ear can force air into the ear canal, creating a sudden pressure spike that may damage the fragile eardrum. This can cause severe pain, temporary or permanent hearing loss, and potential long-term complications. Avoid hitting the ear entirely.
• Dislocated Jaw: If the submissive’s mouth is open upon impact, the force can misalign the jaw, causing pain and potential dislocation. To prevent this, ensure their mouth is closed or loosely clenched, and allow their head to move naturally with the slap.
• Chipped Tooth: An open mouth increases the risk of force hitting a tooth, potentially causing fractures or damage. Keeping the mouth closed minimizes this risk.
• Scratched or Damaged Eyes: Poor aim can result in accidental contact with the eyes, which are highly vulnerable to injury. A misplaced slap could cause severe damage, so precision is crucial.
• Bruising and Swelling: Depending on force and frequency, slaps can cause localized bruising, swelling, or petechiae (tiny red pinpoint marks), even when the impact doesn’t seem particularly hard.
• Head Injury: Although rare, a forceful slap could contribute to a mild head injury. Watch for symptoms such as double vision, nausea, confusion, or a worsening headache—any of which could indicate a more serious issue.

If any of these injuries occur, seek medical advice promptly. Left untreated, they can result in prolonged pain, loss of function, or lasting damage.

Where to Face Slap

The ideal target for a face slap is the fleshy part of the cheek, below the cheekbone and above the jawline. Avoid hitting the nose, eyes, and ears.

Since precision is key, practice your aim with light taps before progressing to more intense slaps.

Face Slapping Technique

The mechanics of a safe slap are relatively simple—the challenge lies in accuracy and control.

• Use your forehand, not your backhand. The forehand side of your hand has more padding, whereas the backhand is bonier and can cause unintended injury.
• Aim for the fleshy part of the cheek. Strike below the cheekbone, above the jawline, and a few inches away from the ear.
• Use the padding of your fingers, not the palm or knuckles. Ideally, your middle and ring fingers should absorb most of the impact. Avoid hitting with the bony ridge at the base of your fingers.
• Keep your hand flat but relaxed. A slightly loose hand will allow for natural recoil, reducing the risk of excessive force or jarring impact.

Mastering this technique ensures a more controlled, pleasurable experience while minimizing the chances of injury.

Putting it into practice

Remember Your Goal

Before engaging in face slapping, be clear on your intention for the scene. Slaps can be used in a variety of ways to create different effects. 

For example you could:

• Build anticipation by gently rubbing their face or giving a few light taps before delivering a full slap.
• Evoke fear by acting as if you’re about to slap them hard, only to stop just short of their face.
• Shock and ground them in the moment with a sudden, unexpected slap.

Your approach should align with the mood, dynamic, and desires of both partners.

Practice with Spanking First

This may seem counterintuitive, but practicing your slapping motion on the butt with spanking before moving to the face can help refine your aim and sense of intensity. The butt is far fleshier and can withstand greater impact with less risk, whereas a misplaced slap to the face can cause significant harm.

Remove Jewelry

Remove rings before slapping, as they increase the risk of injury. If your submissive has cheek or lip piercings, they may want to take them out or ensure slaps land on the opposite side to prevent damage or accidental tearing.

Start Close to Their Face

Begin with light taps, keeping your hand only a few inches from their face. While this won’t feel like much of a slap, it helps you practice your aim and allows their skin to warm up.

Next, move your hand 6 to 12 inches away and graduate to light slaps. At this distance, you can still deliver a satisfying sting while maintaining precision. Rubbing the spot afterward can help soothe the skin.

If your hand starts to hurt, you’re likely slapping too hard. It’s better to start too gently than too rough—especially in the beginning. As your technique improves and your partner expresses interest in more intensity, you can gradually increase force while maintaining accuracy and avoiding injury.

Place Your Hand on the Other Cheek

Anticipation can cause a submissive to flinch or instinctively turn away, which may lead to a misplaced slap hitting a sensitive area. To prevent this, lightly cup the opposite side of their face. This stabilizes their head, absorbs some of the impact, and ensures their face moves naturally with the force of the blow rather than resisting it.

Tips for the Submissive Being Slapped

Being a good submissive requires skill, too. Here are some ways to make the experience smoother and more enjoyable.

Tips for the submissive:

• Close your mouth: Keeping your jaw closed minimizes the risk of dislocation from a misplaced slap. You can loosely clench your teeth or simply smile.
• Close your eyes: If your Dominant isn’t requiring eye contact at that moment, closing your eyes can help protect them from accidental impact.
• Don’t flinch: Flinching can cause a slap to land incorrectly. Some Dominants may even increase the intensity as a consequence for flinching—if that’s part of your negotiated dynamic.
• Turn with the slap: Slightly turning your head in the direction of the slap can help distribute the impact and reduce the sting.

Let’s Get Slap Happy

Face slapping is an excellent addition to a rough play toolkit, alongside hair pulling, choking, biting, spanking, face fucking and manhandling. When incorporated into Dominance and submission dynamics, it can heighten intensity. As always, be safe and have fun.