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Sex toy safety 101
We live in an age where with the click of a button, you can have just about any device or apparatus for sexual pleasure shipped to your house in a few days. The times, they are a changin’. Sex education used to be penis-vagina-egg-fertilized-baby-made. Then it included condom-resevoir tip-don’t get STDs. Well, even though they can’t really teach what I will in schools, it’s important information for your health and safety nonetheless.
You’re feeling like venturing out into the world of toys. Maybe you’re single and want some at-home fun. Maybe you’re in a relationship, maybe it’s more than that, I don’t know. But if you want to keep your body healthy and infection free, and your toys good for many uses, maybe many years, here’s some advice I’ve culled from some great sources, a few of which I’ll list at the bottom of this post.
Not all toys are created equal. You will notice that almost every toy is sold as a “novelty only.” This means it’s a toy, and isn’t expected to perform as anything else. That means it may or may not be waterproof, the materials may or may not be medical grade, and the motor and moving parts may or may not be top-quality. Consider the following as much a buying guide as a safety course.
Materials toys are made of:
Silicone: the gold standard of insertable toys, it is non-porous, can be sterilized, even put through the dishwasher. It can be used with all condom safe lubricants (oil-based lubes will cause the material to break down. more on those later.) For an added barrier, I recommend that you place a condom over your toy each time you use it as well. This is good for cleanliness, as well as if the toy is to be used on multiple partners.
Cyberskin: often heralded as the most “realistic feeling” material on the market, it is typically found in men’s masturbation toys. while this may be true, the material is not sterilizable, it is porous, and when it comes in contact with other materials such as rubber or silicone in storage, can break down into a very messy and unappealing goo. Not a recommended material, in my opinion.
Hard plastic: hard plastic is surprisingly useful for things like vibrators, especially those targeting the G-spot or P-spot (prostate.) It IS sterilizable, and non-porous. In a vibrator, it also provides a different sensation than a jelly rubber or silicone coating will.
Jelly rubber: porous, not sterilizable. Best when used with a condom, and between the same partner(s.) Has a tendency to not be as durable as silicone, but is often considered as a money-saving alternative.
Glass: Great idea! Not only can it be used at multiple temperatures, it can be beautiful, sculptural, durable, and 100% sterilizable and safe. Not the cheapest way to go, but it’s a toy that will last a lifetime.
Wood: There are wood products on the market now. This may make you leery. It did me at first glance. And not all wood toy manufacturers are created equal. I found this one that I would trust, however. They’ve made safety as important a priority as beautiful, functional toys.
*IMPORTANT NOTE*: Phthalates are not everyone’s friend. Like latex, some people have an allergy. And if there’s one area we don’t want to feel unduly irrated in, it’s our genitals. From Wikipedia: “phthalates are esters of phthalic acid and are mainly used as plasticizers (substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability and longevity). They are primarily used to soften polyvinyl chloride. Phthalates are being phased out of many products in the United States and European Union over health concerns.” So in effect, if you buy a toy that’s made of plastic or vinyl, unless it’s specifically marked “phthlate free,” it might contain chemicals that I personally wouldn’t put in my body. Luckily, many great companies like Good Vibrations, Toys In Babeland and others are offering phthalate-free products to their customers now.
Some toys are actually sold using “medical grade” finishes or materials. What does this mean for you? It means that a material in the toy (not necessarily all materials) has been certified by the FDA for use in hospitals and doctor’s offices. A good example of this is the Aneros line of anal toys. Not only have they had medical professionals research the benefits of the toy, they have made sure the toy is safe for use over long periods of time and made with high quality materials. There are many manufacturers like this, you just have to be on the lookout.
If you like to incorporate rope into your play, choose a rope that’s made of a material that can be bleached if you plan to use it on multiple partners, otherwise, keep separate rope for separate partners.
-A word on anal toy safety: not only should you make sure you are buying quality, non-porous toys, you should make sure your toy has a flared base or a handle of some kind for easy removal. I have talked to colorectal surgeons who have seen every manner of household and other item used as a makeshift anal toy. Not everything or every toy can be used for anal play! To put a fine point on it: If you choose to insert something that is not easily removable, and your doctor/ER doctor/colorectal surgeon can’t get it out the easy way, you are in for full bowel surgery, and anal play won’t hold the same appeal for you anymore. So remember, quality materials, condom, lots of lube, and FLARED BASE OR HANDLE FOR REMOVAL.
Toys are great, solo, and with partner(s.) It’s a new world we live in, and taking advantage of it is your right living in a country like the United States. Ladies, you wouldn’t share mascara, so don’t share unsterilized toys. Gentlemen, I’m sure you understand the sentiment. Have fun, be creative, but be safe.
Check out some of the following websites for fantastic information on sexual safety for our generation:
http://www.goodvibes.com/content.jhtml?id=2185
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/947143/safety_in_rope_bondage_play_what_every.html
http://www.babeland.com/shoppingadvice/sextoymaterials
