Recent Blog Entries

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    Posted by Travis Hollister
    I see a lot of profiles in apps such as Grindr and Scruff where guys post DDF—you be too. In case you do not know what DDF means, it is short for drug and disease free. In this article I will not address the drug aspect, just the disease part. Guys, I implore you not to use this phrase or any...
  • In late March of 2021 I found myself in the emergency room of one of our local hospitals in Sacramento. I was being admitted for acute urinary tract infection which was eventually diagnosed as acute prostatitis. It was due to upsizing my 00 gauge PA to 0000 gauge (1/2" in diameter). You ask, how did...
  • December 30, 2020
    Posted by Travis Hollister
    Video Loading Issues?—These videos are embedded from other websites. As such, you may experience loading issues, which unfortunately I have no control over. If you experience issues it may be an issue with your wireless network, your ISP network, the hosting website or your browser. Oftentimes...
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Toys—Material Safety

  • Toys can be broken down into two categories; porous and non-porous. Porous toys, like those made of latex, rubber, vinyl or gel fall into the porous category and should generally be avoided if possible. The reason for this is that generally chemicals have been added to make the material softer, squishy and more pliable. Unfortunately, these chemicals are known carcinogens.

    Another reason to avoid these types of toys is that because they are porous, they’re hard to clean and sterilize. Minute bits of tissue or debris offer a wonderful breeding ground for bacteria. Running them through the dishwasher or exposing them to high heat can damage the toy and cause chemicals to surface.

    If you’re on a tight budget or your options are limited, you might be stuck with one of these kinds of toys. If you do, be sure to read the labels carefully to read what they’re made of. Avoid anything made with Phthalates (pronounced thal-ates) which are designated as possible human carcinogens. If you’re not sure if they’re safe, put a condom on them. If you can afford it, I highly recommend toys made of medical grade silicone. They are more expensive for sure, but they offer several advantages:

    • They can handle very high dishwasher temperatures which makes cleanup and sanitation a snap
    • They’ll last a lot longer than other toys-years longer
    • They feel better
    • They can handle a wide variety of lubes including oils and grease without degradation (except with silicone-based lubes-don’t use them)
    • They’re not porous

    I did a little research and found a few websites that provide greater detail about what to look for when buying a toy and about what toy materials to avoid: