Since Reading
Part 2 of This Series, I
Now Know About Silicone; So From What Other Materials Are Sex Toys
Made?
The main determining
factor in what materials go into sex toys is PRICE. Though you'll
see all sorts of claims about how this material or that is better
for this type of stimulation or that kind of penetration, most
times you can figure out what ingredients a sex toy contains just
by looking at the price tag. The cheapest toys tend to be latex or
plastic, with silicone edging the price up a bit, while glass,
metal, and wood tend to cost the most. We'll go into more details
shortly, but don't be surprised when that $10.00 doesn't last very
long or when the realistic feel of that bargain dildo soon turns
to a gelatinous mess. You've been warned.
Latex - the Most
Common (and Cheapest) Sex Toy Material
Most articles you
will read on Latex will lump a great many products in this
category;
however, it is very helpful to learn exactly what latex is, how
it's made, what varieties exist, and how they're used in the
production of such sex toys.
First, latex is the
milky sap contained in many plants, such as the Para Rubber tree (Hevea
brasiliensis), figs, and even dandelion, and is used mostly for
the production of rubber. Because of allergies to latex (resulting
in anaphylactic shock and other maladies), synthetic versions of
latex have been developed from a process of polymerizing a monomer
that has been emulsified by surfactants. This is all just
complicated speak for taking monomer molecules and putting them
together to form a latex-like substance (polymers), in many ways
superior to natural latex. There are downsides, of course, which
we'll  discuss
later, but suffice it to say latex has been around in various
forms for hundreds of years and is one of the cheapest materials
available to the sex toy industry.
The most common sex
products using latex are condoms, dildos, fake vaginas, dolls, and
fetish clothing. Because latex is very insular, it doesn't make
the best material for vibrators, and latex sex products have a
distinct smell of rubber that can bother some people (in addition
to allergies mentioned above). Latex toys are, as mentioned
previously, inexpensive, so don't expect them to last more than a
year or two, even with the best of care. However, if price is a
concern and you plan to upgrade your toys often, latex can be the
best choice. Cleaning should be done with mild soap and water and
NEVER use alcohol or household cleaners. Finally, latex sex toys
should never be shared, due to their porous nature and ability to
hold bacteria.
CyberSkin - Latex
Meets Silicone
 CyberSkin,
which is actually a brand-name from a company called Topco, is
formed by combining silicone and latex to form a very natural
feeling material that mimics human flesh and is gaining in
popularity. Because CyberSkin is also more durable than latex, it
can be used in many more and interesting ways, such as cock rings,
eggs, and even human-looking robots! Other companies produce
similar materials that go by the names Ultraskin, Eroskin,
Softskin, Futurotic, UR3, and Cyber Jel-lee and they are all
basically the same thing. That is, each has the texture and
appearance of human skin and can be quite stimulating when used in
certain sex toys.
If you decide to
purchase a CyberSkin (or similar) product, it is important to
stress the proper care of them. CyberSkin is VERY porous and tends
to discolor and tear easily. After use, clean your toy thoroughly
with a mild anti-bacterial soap and, as with latex, do not use
alcohol-based or household cleansers as they will damage the
material. Once cleaned, allow your CyberSkin product to dry and
apply a light coating of either cornstarch or fine talcum powder.
This will prevent discoloration and protect your toy when not in
use.
One final precaution
is to ONLY USE WATER BASED LUBRICANTS with CyberSkin sex toys!
Silicone or any petroleum or oil-based lubricant will destroy
CyberSkin.
Jelly - Beware
the Phthalates!
 Jelly
sex toys are made from a mixture of PVC and rubber, resulting in a
soft jelly-like texture and feel. This material is used for many
different types of sex toys, such as vibrators, penile sleeves,
dildos, and cock rings and is one of the cheapest materials
available. Jelly can have a strong rubber odor can be manufactured
to be translucent, due to its porous nature. Jelly is probably the
cheapest material used in the manufacture of sex toys and you'll
notice much lower price points for toys of this type.
One of the issues
with Jelly sex toys is that they are made with phthalates
(pronounced ""thal-eights"), which are used as plastic
softeners and/or solvents and which give jelly its unique
properties. Studies have been conducted on the health risks of
products containing phthalates, such as children's teething rings
and other household items and there are efforts to ban their use
in such products. Though no conclusive studies on jelly sex toys
have been done (that we could find), you should still be careful
about what goes into your body. For peace of mind, a condom can be
placed over (or under, in the case of penile sleeves) the jelly sex toy in question for added protection.
Cleaning a jelly toy
is similar to CyberSkin, which is to say use a mild soap and warm
water, taking care to dry the object and store it in a cool, dry
place away from other objects - especially other jelly toys. Use
only water-based lubricants.
Hard Plastic -
Viberrific!
 One
of the least expensive and most common materials used in
vibrators, good old-fashioned plastic (or PVC) continues to be a
reliable ingredient for sex toy manufacturers. Its benefits are
many, including easy cleaning, lubrication-friendly, and a great
conductor of vibrations (resulting in the need for less expensive
motors). In fact, two of the most popular sex toys for years - the
Pocket Rocket and
Eroscillator - are made with plastic as their
main ingredient. Plastic sex toys are great for their low cost as
well and can be found for as little as $5.00.
Glass Sex Toys?
Wow!
 Well,
not exactly glass as you may think, but rather Pyrex, which is a
borosilicate glass capable of withstanding extremely high
temperatures and can be shaped into all sorts of interesting
things - like sex toys, for example! Professional glass blowers,
working with rods of borosilicate glass, heat it to the point
where they can twist and shape it into many interesting phallic
shapes, then allow them to cool before one final drop-test. Glass
toys are probably the most costly sex toys, but they never wear
out, are beautiful to look at and hold, and can provide some of
the best play of any toys.
During use, glass toys can be warmed (dip them into warm water) or
chilled for different sensations.
The great thing about these products is that they are non-porous,
meaning they can be completely sterilized for safety and peace of
mind. In fact, we put ours into the dishwasher when we're feeling
lazy. You can also use ANY kind of lubrication with them without
fear of harming the piece. After cleaning, store in a padded pouch
or towel or proudly display one or two on your night stand.
Wooden Sex Toys -
Now THAT's Something I've Never Seen Before!
 It
was only a matter of time before some enterprising craftsmen would
figure that hard woods could be used for, well, hard WOOD. Using
woods such as cherry and oak, raw materials are turned and shaped
on a lathe into spectacular designs, then sanded and polished with
multiple coats of food-grade finish. The results are a
one-of-a-kind sex toy that will last a lifetime.
From What Other
Materials Are Sex Toys Made
 By
no means are sex toys confined to the materials mentioned in this
article! Innovative minds are constructing sex toys from metal,
Lucite, leather, titanium, and many other esoteric substances.
What all this means is that our sex lives will constantly be
filled with fun and sexy new things limited only by our
imaginations.
|
