Rope marks
Temporary impressions that rope pressure leaves on the skin, also called rope kisses; usually faint and short-lived, they can include tiny red dots or bruises after tight or long ties.
Shibari Study’s glossary gives nawa-ato as the Japanese term for marks left by rope pressure on the skin and notes that they are called rope marks or rope kisses in the West. Rope 365 advises assuming marks wherever rope touches until you know how your skin reacts. Even pressure leaves a light mark, similar to tight clothing, that typically fades within hours. Tight wraps or a long inversion can bring out petechiae, which MedlinePlus defines as tiny red dots from broken blood vessels that do not fade when pressed; deeper bruising can appear where circulation was strongly restricted, and Rope 365 says these usually fade within days. Marks on the face, neck or forearms are hard to hide, so Rope 365 suggests raising them during negotiation. MedlinePlus advises having unexplained bleeding into the skin checked by a health care provider.