Sex & Dating

FAKING IT: Inside the Fast Fashionization of Sex Toys

Sex toy retailer, FUN FACTORY, unpacks the dark side of the toy industry.

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FAKING IT: Inside the Fast Fashionization of Sex Toys

Sex toy retailer, FUN FACTORY, unpacks the dark side of the toy industry.

In May of 2023, Twitter users discovered SHEIN‘s new era: sex toys. Known for capitalizing on trends, consumers weren’t surprised, while others ran to the platform to get a cheap — specifically, $2 USD — fix. German sex toy retailer, FUN FACTORY, coins this the “fast fashionization” of sex toys and warns women to shop literally anywhere else.

When the news hit social media, Twitter and TikTok users were gagged, for lack of a better term. “Should I put my trust in SHEIN and get a sex toy from it? I’m scared it’ll kill me though,” one user tweeted. Another wrote, “They’re sold out (unfortunately).”

Featuring sex toy trends like a knockoff Rose toy, strap-on‘s and a “Thick Realistic Dildo with Suction Cup,” the brand clearly did its research on sex toy trends. Sold creatively as “costume props” and “erasers,” the products are most likely disguised to avoid censorship. As for quality, however, it’s not just social media who’s alarmed. Turns out the sexual wellness industry is, too.

According to Red Points, a digital risk protection platform, fake sex toys are becoming a huge problem as “Counterfeiters capitalize on sex-positive trends.” Yes, you read that correctly. “Considering that 82% of American women own a sex toy, the impact of unregulated and potentially unsafe products is not small,” FUN FACTORY shared.

If you’re unfamiliar, the German sex toy retailer is unofficially known as the “pioneers of playfulness” providing pleasure products to women of all ages. Manufacturing each of its products in-house, the brand has unique insight into what women desire and also, the creation of our favorite toy styles from dildos and vibrators to love balls.

fast fashion retailer shein sex toys

Kristen Tribby, the brand’s Global Head of Marketing and Education, told us: “Sex toys are more popular than ever, but high-quality, body-safe, ethically manufactured toys are not cheap to make. When we see retailers such as SHEIN producing cheap sexual products for a fraction of the price, there are multiple implications for the sexual wellness industry as a whole.”

Health Implications

“Some toys are made with chemicals that aren’t safe for the human body (such as phthalates, phenol and toluene),” Tribble continued. “These chemicals can cause itching, skin irritation and rashes, conditions that can create microabrasions in the body, making the user more susceptible to infections and STIs. ”

Also, over time, toys experience natural wear and tear, which manufacturers like FUN FACTORY account for. Unregulated toys, however, are so poorly made, that they can collect bacteria and allow bacteria to embed inside – even when you wash your toy. As a result, using an unregulated toy means people are none-the-wiser if they’re shopping for a body-safe product, or one a company sold to make a quick buck.

Sustainability and Social Implications

Counterfeit sex toys not only harm your body but also harm the environment, Tribble told us. “SHEIN’s quick-and-dirty manufacturing practices release an estimated 6.3 million tons of carbon dioxide every year, an obvious hazard for our warming planet.”

As its 2023 RICO charge revealed, SHEIN’s “Cheap prices mean that someone cut corners. In an unregulated industry such as ours, it’s up to each manufacturer to push the market in the right direction, where customers have access to safe products.”

Bottom Line:

Affordable prices will always be the hype, but for pleasure products, cheap prices pose a physical threat to your health. Given the lack of regulation in the wellness industry, these products can not only impact sexual well-being but global warming and more.

So, next time you see a $2 USD sex toy, don’t add it to your cart. Because what’s cheap now, will be expensive later.

While you’re here, is Sporty & Rich entering its sexual wellness era?

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