Play Safe

Tentickle wants you to relax, have fun and lose yourself completely in toe-curling, brain-tickling play sessions, while also remembering to be safe and healthy. No-one wants sexual pleasure to be associated with discomfort, anxiety or trips to the hospital.

This guide is designed to help when choosing and using Tentickle toys, as well as other insertable/penetrable platinum silicone sex toys in general (please note: this does NOT replace the guidance given by a specific adult toy company regarding the use of their toys).

CHOOSING AN INSERTABLE TOY

• Consider the size charts and dimensions given on the product pages carefully. Everyone's anatomy and sensitivity levels vary, and while some people may be able to train themselves to accommodate larger sizes, some people will simply never be able to. Bigger is not always better, and it is better to achieve comfortable pleasure with a relatively small size than cause pain and injury in an attempt to "size up".
• When choosing a firmness level, sometimes those who are unfamiliar with platinum silicone fantasy toys may equate "firm" with a hard erection, but even a firm penis has a decent amount of "give". Firm is generally the least popular of the firmness levels, and is usually reserved for butt toys and those who have a specific affection for harder toys. Soft is usually the most popular firmness on average, though this can sometimes  depend on the size of the toy. If your toy is too firm and causes discomfort, it's usually best to write it off and try another firmness. If in doubt, a selection of firmness sample pucks can be purchased here to gauge your preference.

CHOOSING A PENETRABLE/WEARABLE TOY

• Consider the size charts and dimensions given on the product pages carefully. Note any video visual guides as to the variance of the firmness of penetrables at different sizes. If in doubt, a selection of firmness sample pucks can be purchased here to gauge your preference.

INSPECTING YOUR TOY

• Every care is taken to make sure toys sent out are safe to use, and any minor imperfections which may require extra care when cleaning are disclosed on the product page. Inspect the surface of your toy when it arrives for any unexpected flaws rendering it unsafe, such as nicks and sticky patches. Remember to inspect the toy for damage on a regular basis. A plug toy with a flared base could present a safety issue if there is a nick or tear near the flared base. Surface damage could also create a hiding place for bacteria that is hard to clean effectively.

USING YOUR TOY

• Get into the habit of washing your toys both before and after play sessions, as well as between partners or when transferring to another orifice after anal play. Bacteria present on the surface can cause infections such as UTIs, and STIs can be transferred between partners by sharing toys (if you think you have been exposed to an STI, make sure to get tested). If you do not want to interrupt the flow of your play, dedicate specific toys to each partner or orifice during a play session. To wash, either use a dedicated toy cleaner or wash toys in warm/hot soapy water, using a soft bristled brush to get into any crevices. Make sure toys are dry before storing away, and avoid storing platinum silicone toys with non-silicone toys.
• The use of appropriate lubrication is encouraged for both insertable, penetrable or grinder toys, to reduce friction and the risk of microtears in the mucuous membrane walls or friction burns on the skin/foreskin (as well as increasing pleasure, of course). Avoid the use of silicone-based lubricant with silicone toys, as this may interact with the surface of the toy over time and cause tackiness. Water-based lube is often the safest choice. 
• Many people find it best to "warm up" during a play session. This could involve stimulating the body (and mind) to relax the vaginal and rectal muscles, or beginning with a relatively small insertable toy. Tune in to your body's needs; the size, pressure and speed you use during one session may cause you discomfort during the next session. Tiredness, stress and hormones can affect blood flow and muscle tension.
• For wearable toys/items, make sure to take regular breaks to ensure comfortable airflow to the skin, and to prevent irritation caused by sweat build-up. If irritation occurs regularly, such as may be the case for those prone to ingrown hairs, discontinue further use.
• If a toy involves straps, take care not to attach it to yourself or others in a way that constricts blood flow or breathing during use.
• Toys present a choking hazard when used orally, particularly past the tonsils. It is not recommended to use Tentickle toys in this way.
• If any allergic-type presentation is noted during or after use of a toy/item, discontinue use. Platinum silicone is desirable for the manufacture of sex toys due to its hypoallergenic nature, and allergic reactions are very rare but not impossible.
• Tentickle's kegel egg toys are NOT safe for anal play due to the lack of retrieval cord. If you are not experienced in the use of egg toys, you may find these challenging to remove vaginally depending on your anatomy.
• For 'Vac-U-Lock' compatible toys: take extra care to ensure toys are mounted onto your chosen attachment properly. Check toys before and after use for any damage that may occur through repeated use of a solid insert inside a soft toy. If any tearing or breakthrough is noted around the cavity or toy surface, DO NOT continue to use the toy.
• Double-sided suction cups are not designed to be used on skin, due to the strong suction potentially created. Avoid use on painted surfaces for this same reason!

EXTRA NOTES ON ANAL PLAY

• The anus/rectum behaves differently to the vagina when it comes to insertable toys. The cervix forms a natural barrier from the vagina canal to the rest of the body, whereas the anal canal is a freeway to the entire digestive system. Orgasms or anxiety can contract the rectal muscles and cause the toy to get sucked up like a vacuum. 
• When choosing a toy for anal play, look for a marked flare at the base of the toy to avoid accidental retention. Consider opting for a toy on the firmer side (medium or firm) so that the base is less likely to collapse in on itself during use. Avoid temptation to use household items not designed for anal (and vaginal) insertion. In many countries, household items make up the majority of sources of anally retained objects reported in emergency care.
• If you are new to anal play, you may experience some minor discomfort when starting out. Consistent, increasing or sharp pain is a sign to slow down or stop. This might be down to tension or increased friction due to lack of lubrication, and since the anus does not produce lubrication naturally you may need to top up with lubricant from time to time.
• Larger, longer toys carry more risk of injury due to stress on the anal canal and the potential for intestinal perforation. Even if you are experienced with anal play, you must always stop if you experience sudden pain or notice blood. If pain persists beyond the play session, be sure to get checked out.

 IF YOUR TOY GETS "STUCK"

• The first thing to remember if a toy gets "stuck" is not to panic. Retrieval is more difficult if you are tense and stressed. The next course of action depends on which hole we are talking about:
• In your vagina: the vaginal canal is a defined space, so the toy is not climbing its way past your cervix into the body. If you can feel the toy, you can grab it. Try lying down, putting your heels together and taking a deep breath in and out to promote relaxation and decrease lower abdominal pressure. Don't be tempted to insert other instruments to help (e.g. tweezers and tongs); just use your (or a partners') fingers. As an alternative, try coating the vaginal walls with lube, gently spreading the canal open with your fingers and doing squats. Gravity should do its thing.
• In your anus: if you are in serious pain, seek emergency help as soon as possible. Otherwise, if your anal sphincter is relaxed enough and you can get a good grip on the toy, use your fingers to pull it out. If you cannot reach it properly, you (or a partner) will end up pushing it further in during your attempts. Now is the time to take yourself to emergency care, to get the toy out soon and safely. Even if you do manage to retrieve the toy, it might be a good idea to get yourself checked out for any cuts or microtears that may need antibiotic care to prevent infection.

Making a habit of self care and self awareness around toy play is worth the small amount of extra effort, to reap the reward of many years of healthy sexual adventures. Many societies do not encourage an open and mature conversation around self and partnered pleasure, especially around the use of sex toys, and it is often left up to us as individuals to navigate our bodies' own limits. Good quality safe sex toys, partnered with safe habits and play, are worth the investment for the years of healthy moments of ecstasy they provide.