Health and pleasure are inextricably linked, and nowhere is this clearer than in matters of sex. In the profoundly wise words of the World Health Organization:

…[sexual health] is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence.

As one of the most prominent names in sexual pleasure, we’d like to tell you a little about how we at LELO are protecting your sexual health, and offer a few tips to help you safeguard yourself.

Once you’ve read all the details below about how to play safe, add Thursday the 4th of September to your social media calendar and you could win one of the following prizes just by joining in with some of our WSHD events: Mona2, Ida or Luna Beads. Please see the terms and condition for the competition at the end of this article.

There’s Body-Safe, and then there’s LELO Body-Safe

We take our commitment to sexual health very seriously and never cut corners when it comes to testing and certification. Our products – each and every one – are tested by us (it’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it) and then independently before they reach market. We don’t sell our products as ‘novelties’, a category which is not subject to or governed by the same rigorous regulations as the ones we adhere to.

We have our own dedicated factories which allows far greater control over the materials and technology we use. That means we hold ourselves absolutely responsible and accountable for everything we produce, from our personal moisturizer to our G-spot massagers. We are very proud to be the only pleasure brand that goes to such extremes to protect our customers – but also saddened that so few others have the same commitment to safety.

Maybe some science might give you an impression of how far we go. Most of our pleasure products involve silicone in their construction. Silicone is a safe product, which is why a lot of pleasure brands are now using it and that greasy jelly rubber from the last century is in steep decline. Silicone is a huge step in the right direction, but often it’s still not perfect. So we put our products through a vulcanization process which seals the silicone, making the surface stronger, more resilient and closer to flawless than the vast majority of other sex toy producers. This complex process prevents the silicone from being able to harbor bacteria far more efficiently than most other ‘body-safe’ silicone products on the market.

What Can You Do?

We go to extraordinary lengths to make sure that nothing gets in the way of your pleasure, but there are still some things you can do to preserve your own sexual health when you’re using our products.

 

1. Look for certifications, avoid fakes
The pleasure product industry, like every industry, has its fraudsters who copy popular products, produce them cheaply and cut all the corners to make a profit. You can steer clear of these products by checking certification and buying from reputable retailers. Check the box also for the phrase ‘novelty use only’ – it’s basically the same as saying ‘we are not accountable for the safety of this product’.

2. Never, ever settle for second best
When it comes to issues of intimacy, pleasure and health, you shouldn’t compromise. Don’t buy a cheap pleasure product because it looks like an affordable version of a more trustworthy brand. It’s just not worth the risk.

3. Keep your toys clean
Love your pleasure products and they’ll love you back. Treat them well, and they’ll treat you well. Wash them before using them, store them properly, check the materials for breaks, and use anti-bacterial wipes.

4. Sharing is caring, but…
If you’re sharing toys in the heat of the moment, it’s best to cover them with a condom and replace it each time. It’s just good sense, really.

5. Avoid the jellies!
A little knowledge goes a long way when it comes to using pleasure products. For example, the ‘jelly rubber’ many sex toys have been made of is a material that’s been treated with one of any number of plastic softeners, or ‘phthalates’. Phthalates are potentially harmful, even carcinogenic. It’s that kind of information that will help you make the right buying decision and keep you safe.

6. Choose silicone…
Silicone is a remarkable material, resistant to bacteria and widely used by the most reputable brands in the pleasure product industry. Smooth, comfortable for use and easy to clean, it’s generally a sign the manufacturer is doing things right. Just avoid the sticky kind of silicone, which can attract dust.

7. … and pay attention to glass and metals
While these products are excellent for cleaning, make sure any glass products of high-quality and perfectly smooth, while be sure to avoid any metals that may cause allergic reactions.

8. Read Reviews
Go online and check out what people are saying about the pleasure products you’re interested in. There’s a massive online community of sex toy bloggers and reviewers who can be trusted to give you all the information you could need.

9. Website
Make sure you check out the website of the brand who produces your sex toys. If they haven’t invested in a website, perhaps they won’t invest in safety either.

10. Nose-Testing purely for pleasure
And not to forget the pleasure aspect, if you are browsing for products in your local store, try looking like a professional and raising gently to your nose like a wine connoisseur. If the vibrations are strong enough to make you want to sneeze, it’s likely to bring full satisfaction when used elsewhere.

Posted by: Jessica Hill at LELO 

See some of our Sexual Health Toys HERE>>>