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Many people confuse vibrators and dildos. What distinguishes a vibrator from a dildo or another type of sex toy is that it vibrates. The vibrator is powered either by electricity or batteries. Phallic-shaped vibrators can be used as vibrating dildos (i.e., they can be inserted vaginally or anally). If a person is looking for something penis like, that does not vibrate, they’re looking for a dildo or plug. Plugs are generally a short dildo with a flared base, commonly used for anal insertion. There are more styles and sizes of dildos available then you can shake a stick at. And we carry dildos and vibrators in sizes ranging from under 1/3” diameter (Micro eggs) to as thick as a neck, and up to as long as an arm. Different strokes for different folks is our philosophy. Choosing the right size depends on a person’s tastes, their personal capacity, vaginal or anal, and how they want to use their dildo/vibrator. Dildos are measured by thickness (diameter across, not circumference around) and length (base to tip). If a person likes pressure and fullness or clitoral stroking then four inches should be ideal. But if they plan to thrust in and out, seven or more inches is a better choice. We carry specially curved dildos for g-spot stimulation. Items with handles, flared bases or testicles make great handles for gripping during thrusting. People should choose a dildo or vibrator size based on what they currently enjoy for penetration (finger, penis or?). If that is satisfying then that is the right size to start with. They can always come back and upgrade to a slightly larger size for an enhanced feeling of fullness later. A dildo that is too big can be uncomfortable or even painful and everyone has his or her own personal likes. Bases on dildos are required if the item will be used for anal penetration or is to be used in a harness. Flared bases work best in harnesses but dildos with scrotums will work well in many strap-on harnesses. Dildos and plugs, are made of either vinyl or synthetic rubbers molded into flexible penis shapes. They come in realistic, semi realistic and abstract shapes. We carry these items in Latex, jelly, Silicone, Cyber-flesh (a realistic feeling material) and even glass – all have their positives and supporters. A Brief History of Vibrators (back to index) The illustrious history of the electric vibrator begins in 1869 with the invention of a steam-powered massager patented by an American doctor. This device was designed as a labor saving medical tool for use in the treatment of “female disorders.” Within twenty years, a British doctor followed up with a more portable battery-operated model, and by 1900, dozens of styles of electric vibrators were available to the discriminating medical professional. What were these physicians doing with their vibrators? They were treating hysteria—the most common health complaint among women of the day. While the existence of hysteria as a disease was debunked in the 1950’s, medical experts from the time of Hippocrates up to the twentieth century believed that hysteria expressed the womb’s revolt against sexual deprivation. A woman’s display of mental or emotional distress was a clear indication of her need for sexual release. Genital massage was a standard treatment for hysteria; its objective was to induce “hysterical paroxysm” (better known today as orgasm) in the patient. Obviously, such treatment demanded both manual dexterity and a fair amount of time, so turn-of-the-century physicians were delighted with the efficiency, convenience and reliability of portable vibrators. The vibrator was soon marketed as a home appliance in women’s magazines and mail-order catalogs. Ads proffering “health, vigor and beauty” promoted the vibrator as an aid to health. By the 1920’s, doctors had abandoned hands-on physical treatments for hysteria in favor of psychotherapeutic techniques. But vibrators continued to have an active commercial life in which they were marketed, much like patented medicines, as cure-alls for illnesses ranging from headaches and asthma to “fading beauty” and even tuberculosis! Ad copy for these vibrators was coy and ambiguous. “Be a glow getter,” one package insert suggests. And who wouldn’t be tempted to experience “that delicious, thrilling, health-restoring sensation called vibration,” when assured that “it makes you fairly tingle with the joy of living!” The vibrator’s usefulness for masturbation was never acknowledged; however, as vibrators began appearing in stag films of the 1920’s, it became difficult to ignore their sexual function. Probably as a result, advertisements for vibrators gradually disappeared from respectable publications. Today sex toys hail from all over the globe. Japanese vibrators were some of the first to feature rotating figurines with faces and vibrating attachments shaped like animals—part of General Macarthur’s post-war legacy to Japan were laws forbidding the manufacture of sex toys resembling genitals. Keep Your Toys Clean (back to index) It is extremely important to use a quality sex toy cleaner to clean toys with before and after each use to kill bacteria and germs that might cause an infection. The product we sell is Midy Tidy, which uses Phospholipids to kill bacteria. Phospholipids are popular because they are a safe but gentle germ killer and cleaner used in commercial cleaners and baby wipes. Phospholipids will kill germs and bacteria without destroying the latex and jelly material most toys are made of. Using regular antibacterial soaps might hurt the material adult toys are made of. Rinse it thoroughly with water, and let it dry completely before putting it away. Midy Tidy will not leave a dangerous residue, and viruses and bacteria won’t live on a dry surface. Be careful not to use any cleaner with alcohol in it. At a very minimum, wash the toy with mild soap and water before and after each use. Why do all the packages say “sold as an adult novelty only”? (back to index) Several states have their own laws prohibiting the sale of “obscene devices.” These statutes explicitly define an obscene device as “a device including a dildo or artificial vagina, designed or marketed as useful primarily for the stimulation of human genitals.” In the states of
Due to these laws, adult bookstores in states such as
In
Vibrators Can Be Enjoyed by Everyone (back to index) For everyone who thinks they don’t have any use for vibrators because they’re completely satisfied with their orgasms, we’d like to remind you that variety is the spice of life! Just as your taste in food can change, so can your experience of orgasm. Many women report vibrators make them come more quickly as well as make their orgasms feel more intense. Many couples use vibrators to create a powerful buildup for an orgasm that they can finish by some other method. The belief that masturbation and vibrators are just a temporary substitute until a real live body comes along was a prevalent one. But today many people are finding that a more fulfilling sex life can be had when they integrate toys and vibrators into their sex play. As a result manufacturers have been more than willing to help by creating an array of new couple friendly toys that can be used solo or as couples both during foreplay and intercourse. These include wearable vibrators like the We-vibe & popular vibrating penis rings among others. People with disabilities have also discovered the sexual appeal of vibrators. If experiencing reduced sensitivity, the intense stimulation offered by a vibrator can be felt when the stimulation offered by a hand cannot.
Vibrators Come in All Sizes, Shapes and Materials (back to index) The penis-shaped, hard plastic vibrator is probably the most well known model, yet it is also the source of endless confusion and frustration for women hoping to use one to vibrate to orgasm. The dildo shape suggests insertion, but most women experience orgasm from direct clitoral stimulation (pressing a vibrator against the clitoris), not thrusting it in and out of the vagina. By learning about various vibrator sizes, shapes and uses, as well as experimenting to find out what kind of stimulation each individual likes, you are bound to find a vibrator (or several) that you really like. The array of shapes is almost overwhelming, ranging from small bullet-shaped vibrators which are ½” wide by 1” long to 3 pronged units with clitoral, vaginal and anal stimulation and even the hand held “back massagers” that can take vaginal / g-spot head attachments. Our most popular vibrator is a standard phallic shape with clitoral stimulation typically referred to as a “duo vibe” or “rabbit” vibrator since the original design had a rabbit at the base of the shaft as the clitoral stimulator. (75% of women do not reach climax without direct clitoral stimulation hence the popularity of vibrators either solely for, or incorporating clitoral stimulation). Many have bumps, or ribs for added stimulation. Vibrators also come in a huge variety of materials from realistic lifelike feeling Cyber flesh materials which feel like real skin to soft jelly material to hard acrylic and everything in between. It becomes a real personal choice as to what someone likes and is looking for. For the more adventuresome we even carry toys made of glass (borosilicate, think Pyrex). These hold temperature and have a smooth firm sensation to them and many people like to heat or chill them for an added sensation. One important thing to keep in mind is although the hard acrylic vibes, like the slim lines, are reasonably inexpensive, most people come back and purchase one of the cyber flesh, silicone or jelly types because for actual insertion they are much more comfortable. Many people confuse vibrators and dildos. What distinguishes a vibrator from a dildo or another type of sex toy is that it vibrates. The vibrator is powered either by electricity or batteries. Phallic-shaped vibrators can be used as vibrating dildos (i.e., they can be inserted vaginally or anally). If a person is looking for something penis like, that does not vibrate, they’re looking for a dildo or plug. Attachments (back to index) Attachments designed to fit over the head of a wand like the G-Spotter are lightweight, vinyl caps, which can be pushed all the way down over the head of the vibrator. We carry a version for each the Hitachi and the Wahl they are usually stocked in the same display as the Hitachi & Wahl. You should always point them out to the customer who buys a massager. The G-Spotter is curved to vibrate against the G-spot area in the front wall of the vagina. When the tip is inserted, the area of the cap below the tip will vibrate against the clitoris, offering powerful simultaneous clitoral and vaginal vibrations! Who Needs a Lubricant? (back to index) At Love Zone, we consider lubricant one of life’s essentials. Lubricant increases your sensitivity by creating smoother, slipperier surfaces. A lot of people have been led to believe that their own bodies should generate enough lubrication to keep any sexual situation slippery, and many take the suggestion of using lubricant as an insult to their sexual prowess. Unfortunately many women and men believe that vaginal lubrication is an automatic physical result of a women’s sexual arousal and that any lack of lubrication is an indication of a lack of enthusiasm. In fact, vaginal lubrication doesn’t automatically follow sexual arousal and doesn’t automatically indicate sexual arousal. Lubricating is influenced by hormonal fluctuations and can vary dramatically depending on where a woman is in her menstrual cycle. Women, who have reached menopause, have had a hysterectomy, have just given birth or are breast-feeding will experience a decrease in their natural lubrication and a thinning of vaginal tissue due to reduced estrogen levels Hormones aren’t the only influences on vaginal lubrication. Alcohol, marijuana and many prescription drugs or over-the-counter cold medications can and will effect a women’s ability to self lubricate. And, of course, stress can throw almost any “natural” physical response off kilter. Besides, even those situations in which a woman is lubricating heavily can be enhanced by the addition of artificial lubricants. Vaginal secretions don’t necessarily make their way up to the clitoris, and most women enjoy direct stimulation of the clitoris far more when the touch is smooth and moist. Lubricant makes any kind of vaginal penetration more pleasurable—it’s always more comfortable to have two wet surfaces sliding against each other—and is crucial for anal penetration since the rectum and anus do not produce any natural lubrication. There are also many flavored lubricants that are perfect for tasty oral sex and are excellent for penetration. Always avoid using anything internally not designed for actual penetration as sugar can create problems in the form of yeast infections. With so many flavors and brands available everyone is sure to find a favorite. Lubricants come in three varieties water-based, silicone and oil. Water-Based Lubricants (back to index) Similar to the feel of natural vaginal fluids, you will find water-based lubes in a variety of consistencies from a watery liquid to a thick jelly. The liquids are great for all around play the gels seem to have more lasting power for extended encounters or anal sex. Water-based lubricants are specially formulated to be taste-free, non-staining, non-irritating, and they will easily wash out of the body. Water-based Lubricants are specifically designed for use on moist membranes, where it should stay slippery. When applied to the rest of the body, it will dry, leaving a sticky residue, which makes it completely undesirable as a massage product. All of Love Zones Flavored lubricants are water-based. Silicone-Based Lubricants (back to index) Silicone is a super-slippery lube, which lasts longer than water-based lubes. This makes it ideal for extended play, anal play or in the water / shower sex. Silicone feels like an oil but it is safe for internal use. It has a couple of unique features; You can use it for an all over body massage and then go into lovemaking safely. Silicone never feels sticky and it is safe with latex toys and condoms (avoid using silicone lubes with silicone toys). It is your best choice if you are using a lubricant around water (like in a shower, hot tub, or bath) because it will not wash away as quickly as water-based lubricants. It feels warm when it goes on. Because it last so long it is an excellent choice for anal play. Unlike oil based lubes it is safe vaginally and will not cause any infection. Oils (back to index) Oils have been used as lubricants for hundreds of years, but there are some facts to bear in mind. Oils are extremely hard to wash out of the body. Oils and petroleum products, like Vaseline, coat the walls of the vagina for days, welcoming all kinds of bacteria and creating an environment that promotes yeast infections. All oils will linger in the vagina longer than necessary, as there is no way for them to be flushed out of the body. And oils of any kind will destroy latex condoms, dental dams, gloves or diaphragms, so oils are completely incompatible with practicing safe sex. The oil based lubes we sell are geared toward male solo sex activities or anal sex where the body is more capable of flushing the oils out of its system. Warning never use oil based products with any toys or latex products the oil will melt or eat away at the latex. Specialty Lubricants (back to index) In recent years many specialty lubricants have entered the market. These include the Warming lotions & lubricants – these warm with friction, getting even warmer when you blow on them. They are different from the old warming lotions that were not designed for internal use. Stimulating lubricants – These lubricants like ID Pleasure will create a light tingling sensation and heightened sensitivity along with being a lubricant. These are not as strong as an actual arousal balm. Natural lubricants - these include lubricants that use Grapefruit extract as the preservative, lubes with hemp extract (hemp is a natural anti bacterial and is said to cut down on yeast infections) and new vegan friendly lubes. For more information on lubricants please head to your local Love Zone store! Apparently you could have found one over fifteen thousand years ago, as a French cave painting a man wearing a sheath suggests. Egyptian men wore condoms as a sign of rank three thousand years ago, while tribeswomen in South American fashioned themselves a female condom made out of a cut-off seed pod. Our favorite legend credits the Greek’s mythical King Minos with the invention of the condom. Apparently the king had a tendency to ejaculate scorpions and snakes into his partners, so his right-hand man, Daedalus, invented a female receptacle into which the King could shoot his deadly semen. From scorpions to venereal disease to HIV, the condom has a noble history of protecting our sexual health. Latex Condoms (back to index) There’s a reason drugstore shelves overflow with latex condoms in every size, thickness and color—they’re a convenient, affordable, highly effective barrier against disease transmission, as well as a popular contraceptive. Most latex condoms break because they’re used incorrectly. The typical failure rate is about twelve percent, but researchers contend that if used correctly and consistently this would drop to about two percent. Latex should only be used with water-based or silicone lubricants, never any oil based products. Polyurethane Condoms (back to index) The Trojan Supra, Avanti male condom and the Reality female condom are made out of polyurethane, a plastic material twice as strong as latex. It’s thinner than latex, which means greater sensitivity for users. It’s compatible with oil-based lubricants. It’s odorless and doesn’t contain the proteins that cause some individuals to be allergic to latex. It transmits heat better and is more resistant to damage from heat and light. The polyurethane condoms we sell are the Trojan Supra Condoms in both 3 and 6 packs and Avanti Polyurethane Condoms in 3 and 6 packs. Reality Female condom is also made of polyurethane. We sell this in 3 and 6 packs also. Although polyurethane is technically stronger than latex, the plastic is much less elastic, which results in a higher breakage rate. We only recommend the polyurethane condoms to individuals with latex allergies. The Female Condom (back to index) ‘Reality’ is a six-inch-long tube (as long as a condom, but wider), with one sealed end and a flexible, plastic ring at each end. The woman inserts one ring into her vagina; much like a diaphragm, while the ring around the opening remains anchored outside, resting flat against the labia. The female condom is great for those with latex allergies; women can take responsibility for its use; the condom can be inserted ahead of time; a man may find the loose fit of the female condom gives him increased sensation; and the coverage provided by the outer portion may help prevent transmission of STDs such as herpes or genital warts. Lambskin Condoms (back to index) Made from the intestines of sheep, lambskin condoms should never be used for safe-sex purposes, as viruses, may permeate small imperfections in the membrane’s surface. This is why we along with the majority of retailers no longer sell lambskin condoms. They are NOT safe sex products. The Cream of the Crop – Best Sellers: (back to index)
Condom Shopping Checklist: (back to index)
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