Now there’s a new promising technology being launched by LifeStyles Condoms called SKYN promising to provide skin-to-skin sensation. It’s made from a new non-latex, polyisoprene formula which focuses on sensitivity. But it has the advantages of latex.

LifeStyles claims that this formula has made it possible to provide improved sensitivity. They are the first condom brand to introduce a clinically tested (and FDA approved) polyisoprene condom.

One tenth (almost) of the American Population is afflicted with latex allergies, the Skyn polyisoprene has just like polyurethane no latex that would cause allergic reactions. But compared to the polyurethane condoms the Skyn products are softer and therefore adapt more easily to the form of its wearer. It’s also stretchier and more resistant to breakage.

Let us quickly do a short history lesson. The use for the original polyisoprene was discovered by the ancient Mayans and Aztecs who harvested the, then unnamed polyisoprene from the sap of the hevea tree and used it to make waterproof boots and the balls which they used to play a game similar to basketball.

Polyisoprene the Material

The Skyn is an interesting example to show how long it takes for such a product to be marketed and sold in stores. The patent for a polyisoprene condom was filed in 2002 that’s when the development of the material was more or less finished.

Unlike it’s ancestral counterparts, the hevea trees are not harmed in the making of Skyn. Today polyisoprene is created in a laboratory and specially treated to give it crosslinks, which allows the material to stretch more and helps to recover the original shape after being stretched.

A little comparison with polyurethane makes it obvious that the new skyn technology might be a serious leap forward. Because polyurethane condoms are stiff and unstretchable to certain extent and they don’t conform to the body. They’ve got the clear color and the “no latex allergens” in common.

The picture you see above is a scanning electron micrograph image of the surface of a polyisoprene condom.

LifeStyles SKYN Unboxing

For everyone who’d like to see more about the product we do what I call unboxings. A short video sequence of the condom box being opened, so you can see what hides inside. Click the image or here to watch the Skyn unboxing.

The box in question was a LifeStyles Skyn 3-pack. 3 condoms and a user manual printed on the package in English and Spanish are hiding inside.

More Info about LifeStyles Skyn

A short summary of our findings:

• Name of the product: Skyn LifeStyles 3 Piece Box
• Producer: Ansell Healthcare Products LLC
• Color: Natural
• Manual Languages: English, Spanish
• Quality: FDA approved
• Plus +: No Latex Allergens

That’s it. The new product from LifeStyles unboxed for you. Now it’s your turn. What are your findings?

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Polyisoprene New Promising Condom Material

Since the launch of the Pronto Condom applicator it’s not a question anymore. It’s mission impossible accomplished so to speak. It also remains true though, that you can only get the super fast condom applicator in South Africa only.

But fortunately we have good news to announce here. The South African inventors are currently checking investment opportunities to take the product global and available to a wider public. Until then let’s have a closer look at this product and what it does.

Pronto Condom

The pronto condom applicator decreases the time to put on a condom in less than 4 seconds and ensures that the condom is put on correctly, even in the dark. The condom remains in a relaxed state whilst secured in two separate half moon parts of the applicator that is smooth and will not scratch the user or damage the condom. The condom fitted to the applicator is pre-packaged in a sealed foil wrapper and sold in fours in fun designed packs.

The remarkable design was awarded the “Most Beautiful Object in South Africa” Award at last year’s Design Indaba.

Pronto Condoms Are 4:Secs

I always thought Pronto was fine, but did it really capture the imagination of the people they were targeting? I’m not so sure, but for this year’s Design Indaba South African industrial design firm …XYZ has done a remarkable job rebranding their new Pronto. From now on it is 4:secs Condoms.

The product was designed and is being manufactured in South Africa. The inventors hope that with their invention they will increase condom usage and add a novelty factor to a condom purchase.

4:secs is definitely an interesting approach. I hope to see the 4:secs in other countries soon and you’ll definitely read about it here first.

How 4:Secs Works

How does this condom applicator work? It’s an easy 5 step procedure:

• Hold the pack with the illustrated side facing upwards. Position the thumbs behind the dotted lines, grip firmly. Bend the pack downwards, to crack the top foil layer open
• Bend the pack upwards, to crack the bottom foil layer open
• Pull the 2 halves of the pack apart gently. The condom is suspended between these 2 halves
• Rest the condom on top of the penis. Then gently push downward. This will cause the condom to unroll directly onto the penis. Hold the 2 pack halves in a straight line and keep them close to the sides of the penis, but avoid direct contact. This will ensure a comfortable fit.
• Unroll the condom onto the entire length of the penis. Then keep the pack halves close to the penis and twist them 90 degrees - this will automatically release them from the condom.

Only thing that could happen is that the applicator slips and the condom falls out. In that case take it out and use it like any other condom. That will be 4:secs to 10:secs.

Partly via dezeen.

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Mission Impossible: How to Get a Condom on in 4 Seconds

Lawsuit…condom found in a pizza

WAYNE - Four Wayne County men have filed a suit against a local pizza restaurant. They claim they found a condom under a pizza they ordered.

This one is from the neverending list of let’s say interesting civil actions in American courts. Not too long ago a man filed a suit after he bit into a prophylactic in his hamburger at Burger King (at least he claimed so).

William Boyd Adkins, William Adkins Jr., Wesley Allen Blankenship and Curtis Ray Blankenship Jr. filed the suit Nov. 3 in Wayne Circuit Court against Giovanni’s Pizza located on Big Sandy River Road in Prichard.

The whole scene happened last year. According to the suit, the men ordered the pizza Dec. 3, 2007.

The pizza was delivered to the home, and the men proceeded to eat their pizza when they noticed that the box had a condom in it under the pizza, the suit says.

The men then started having complaints of nausea and sickness and went to St. Mary’s Medical Center for evaluation and treatment. According to the suit, the men continued to have psychological problems. Each man claims he has suffered emotional distress and claims he became seriously ill and suffered severe physical pain and mental suffering.

According to the suit, Giovanni’s is negligent in supplying the men with food that was unfit for human consumption. Therefore the men seek general and special damages to cover their injuries.

I really don’t know what to say here. No matter if the story is true, this is a serious history of medical records for a humble little condom? Granted I’d also prefer the condom with a pizza that way.

Via The Record/Cara Bailey [Picture Credits]

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Condom Found Under Pizza - Suit Filed

Dear Condomuntiy reader, I probably don’t have to explain that stealing condoms is illegal. On the other side, using condoms as football socks holders or as party lights is perfectly alright, we know that too.

But you might be a little bit surprised that placing a condom over a doorknob could get you in serious (legal) trouble. Isn’t that good to know? We warned you.

Alright, here’s what happened. The priest in charge of the Newman Catholic Center at the Montclair State University found an unused condom covering the doorknob of the center.

Thinking that this was “more than just a coincidence” after a series of on-campus discussions regarding abortion and gay rights in the recent past, the priest handed the matter over to the police. The Clifton department is now treating the incident as a bias crime.

Who would’ve thought?

Picture [via MyHeraldNews/Schillaci]

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Beware of Doorknobs and Bias Crimes

Many African organizations who are struggling to provide education about condom use as the tidal wave of HIV/AIDS on that continent just gets bigger, watched the American presidential race with great interest, all believing that Obama could be a real god-send in helping overturn some of the Bush policies on STD and birth control prevention.

Some of those policies have been cited for hindering STD prevention efforts, especially when it comes to condom education, which has led America’s national health watchdog, the Centers for Disease Control, to pull some of its condom information from its Web site. The director of the International Planned Parenthood Federation says “The U.S. administration has certainly succeeded in demonizing condoms rather than showing that they can be part of prevention of both unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.”

Under Bush, restrictions were placed on both national and international AIDS funding; any national or international agency funded or in need of funding from the US were sanctioned if they dared whisper the word abortion.

Abstinence-only education, which has not worked and has hampered family planning and STD prevention efforts, was the only education the current president would hear of. Not so Obama’s. Or as his aid put it: “We have been going in the wrong direction, and we need to turn it around and be promoting prevention and family planning services and strengthening public health.”

Although he has not come right out and stated exactly what he will do differently, to include about condom education, it is clear that Obama’s policies, as his representatives put it, will “reflect what works.” But with all the excitement about the coming changes, those same African agency leaders are not completely convinced that changes in policy will overcome all the problems they face in trying to educate their nations’ populations, especially given all the financial disasters awaiting America’s new president.

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Africa awaits Obama, but…

Alessi is an italian design company who mainly does gadgets and accessories and converts these everyday objects into little pieces of art. You’ll find everything from baskets/fruit bowls/centrepieces to kitchen boxes/biscuit boxes/containers in their portfolio.

Now you’ll also find the fancy Alessi Cohndom Box.

And no, it’s not a typo, the co(h)ndom box is designed by Susan Cohn, an influential Australian silversmith. As a designer of small objects and jewels she directly produces her products in her small laboratory in Melbourne in small series.

The steel box’s dimensions are 6.2 cm x 6.2 cm which is enough to fit in exactly one condom (more if you stack them? Update: It’s definitely meant for one condom). It might not be much but it does exactly what it should. It protects the condom from friction and heat and makes sure you are always protected in style. Prices are: 38.00 Euros/27.00 Pounds/49.50 Dollars.

Really, if you don’t want to be carrying your condoms in a cell phone, then this might just be one good way to go.

Via Alessi (store).

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Gadget Factory Alessi Sells Fancy Condom Box

Port St. Lucie, Florida — Recently we reported about the 7-Eleven robbery where 10 boxes of condoms and one energy drink went missing. The robber sitting in a wheelchair got away. At that time the condoms were the hold-up reason.

Now there’s another weird case known to the public. In Port. St. Lucie a cross-dressing robber snatched a 74-year-old woman’s purse. During the assault he lost his faux breast - a water filled condom in a white gym sock. This time around the condom was part of the disguise.

Next time you cross-dress for Halloween or the like - know that you can use condoms for a fake breast. Just fill it with water (or silicone for the realistic type) tie a knot and you’re good to go. Just make sure you don’t leave it behind.

If you’re more into films then check out what the Indian action movie industry uses condoms for.

Via TCPalm

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Robber Loses Breast and Gets Away

During history’s headiest, and certainly most expensive, political campaign, Republican candidate John McCain was asked “Do you think contraceptives help stop the spread of HIV?” McCain‘s answer to the reporter who asked the question? After a long pause, all he could come up with was “You’ve stumped me.”

This led the most important pro-birth control organization in the US to hand out specially made condoms to political delegates, with a label that read “Protect yourself from John McCain”.

We will never know if perhaps those Humble Little Condoms did help get Barrack Obama elected, but the fact that he is being touted as  America’s “First African American” president does beg the question, “Is he in tune to his own community when it comes to condom use?” or more accurately, lack of condom use?
If not, he needs to be.

American blacks have the highest rate of STDs, to include HIV/AIDS, of any group in the US or any other Western nation for that matter, and the numbers just keep getting worse.   Just days before the election, the Center for Disease Control announced that 48% of black girls between the ages of 14-19 have an STD; black women suffer the highest rate of syphilis, gonorrhea, and HIV of any group; about 70% of all American women who suffer from HIV/AIDS are black; AIDS is amongst the top three leading causes of death for black women.

Black men suffer even higher numbers: AIDS has doubled in that population in the 2000s; 2/3 of the black men who die while in prison suffered from HIV; from just 2006 to 2007, STD rates went up over 12% in black men. In other words, African Americans make up 12% of the US population, but they represent 50% of all AIDS cases in the US.

But what is a new president to do? Perhaps he should ask Pastor W. James Favorite, a courageous preacher whose church was built right after the American Civil War by freed slaves for freed slaves, a fact he believes makes it a very special place for his particular ministry.  Those slaves believed they could, with God’s help, bring themselves out of slavery, and into the mainstream, enjoying the same rights and priveleges as whites. That, sadly, has not always been the case.

Favorite serves one of the many many poor black communities in the American South - he is in Tampa, Florida, where 1 in every 85 residents is HIV positive - and besides trying to get his own flock to understand the need to practice safe sex, he preaches to his own, going place-to-place to try to get his fellow pastors to take their heads out of the sexual sand.  At one such meeting, he realized just how hard that was going to be, given he could not even get most of them to say the word ‘condom.’

As Favorite addressed a group of black pastors from around his state, he went where angels fear to tread, telling them that they had all taken the naive view that:

“It’s not here, not in our churches.”  But, “Then we found members of our congregations dying.  We didn’t even want to shake their hands.“

So what did Favorite propose?

“How do we bring into our teaching the use of condoms?  We believe abstinence is the answer, but there are those who will not listen.  We have to tell them that the least they can do is use a condom.”

The response from these erstwhile gentlemen?

Silence was the stern reply.

But why, when they know that in their pews every Sunday sit parishioners, young and old, suffering from HIV/AIDs, are these men so reluctant to follow Favorite’s example of speaking plainly to his flock, quite literally to save their lives?  Because they believe that the Bible says it all.  Don’t do it unless you are married!

But Favorite is doing his best to teach his fellow preachers that the message is not getting through and that they are not serving their God as he would intend until they did everything they could to help make African Americans healthy again.

Hopefully Barack Obama will show the same courage when it comes to sex education, not just for blacks, but for all Americans, instead of following in other American presidents’ painful footsteps: when AIDS reached America’s shores, Ronald Reagan did everything he could to prevent the message of prevention from reaching Americans.  Both Presidents Bush have pathetic records in that regard.

But, given the sad state of black health in that country, along with the connections the new president holds with the center of the AIDS epidemic - Africa - we can only suppose that Obama is a big fan of condoms and his policies will reflect that “fact.”

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The New American President

The piece of art with the meaningful name has become the talk of the town recently because of its distinct looks and because of its smell. Fabre’s installation scheduled to run until the start of spring 2009 consists of condoms filled with onions and potatoes hanging from the ceiling.

Local media reported that many visitors and even museum guards protested against the smelly spring art. 8 years ago Jan Fabre covered some university pillars in Ghent in ham and understandably after a while the complaints came at that time too.

The contemporary art musem Muhka has no plans to remove the condom-potato installation, but it is removing any vegetables that hit the ground because of the heavy weight of the vegetables, they told AP.

Spring is on its way by Jan Fabre
De lente komt eraan (spring is on its way) is about transformation and metamorphosis.

Close-Up Condom with Potatoes

People enjoying the installation

Judging by the look of the pictures overhead, at least some people are enjoying the view.

Picture Credits [Via winnipegsun]

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Jan Fabre’s Art Installation Talk of the Town

Celebrities, musicians, filmmakers, artists and consumers are invited to lend their unique voice to the campaign by creating digital content that describes the state of sexual health in the United States. The content (some of which will feature familiar celebrity faces like Josh Lucas, Alan Cumming, Gloria Reuben, Shwayze, Dana Delaney, Giancarlo Esposito and Matthew Modine) will then be viewable online and open to ratings, comments etc.

Trojan is also taking the message directly to the people with their Trojan Evolve National Tour, which includes a 40-foot interactive bus and virtual “Scream Machine” rollercoaster ride. I thought their machinery and equipment are quite impressive, so here are some shots:

Condominimum
Is a smaller van carrying equipment.

Condomaximum
Is a huge 40-foot interactive bus.

Trojan Sample Booth
Informing and giving out std samples.

To help Trojan donating their condoms you can either comment, rate, take a pledge, take a quiz, send content or similar at the new Evolve community homepage.

Image Credits Kevin H.

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Trojan Condom Evolve Campaign Buses

So in case you’re looking for a new twist on your bags, the condom totes are definitely worth another look. Safe Sax are 6 distinct products to carry everything from nail scissors to your 15″ MacBook.

Maker of the innovative bags is the Portland based company being Jeff Hockert, Adam Lake, and Chris Wilkerson. Their first goal is to take the condom from its hiding place behind the drugstore counter or otherwise out of sight, and thrust it into public view. The second one is to raise awareness and fight AIDS with donations to AIDS charities from every sale they make.

Safe Sax the Products

Little Bag Pink
Other colors include purple and yellow. The condoms are sealed in high quality colored vinyl. There are no pockets, but a colored zipper allows for complete closure. The little bag is 3 condoms across and 2 condoms down the side of the bag for a total of 6 condoms on each side of the bag.

Colors Tote (Pink, Yellow)
The color tote can be used as a laptop bag (fits 13” and 15” MacBooks), a knitting bag, or just your daily needs. Colored tote is 4 condoms across and 4 condoms down the side of the bag for a total of 16 condoms on each side of the bag.

Blank Safe Sax
The blank Safe Sax has nothing in it. Here is your chance to make your own statement. Clear vinyl bag has pockets for you to display your own items. SafeSax logo is proudly displayed in lower right corner on one side. Use your Safesax to display keepsakes, toys, coins, flowers, pictures, or whatever you can fit into the 1.5 inch pouches. 16 pouches on are situated on each side.

Big Bag
This bag is bigger as the rest (who would’ve thought). Perfect as a beach bag, travel bag, or to be the most talked about girl at the gym. Big Bag is 5 condoms across and 5 condoms down the side of the bag for a total of 25 condoms on each side of the bag.

Classic Tote
The classic tote is 4 condoms across and 4 condoms down the side of the bag for a total of 16 condoms on each side of the bag. It fits your 13” and 15” MacBooks.

Safe Sax Wallet
The Safe Sax Wallet holds cash, cards, ids and guess - condoms.

If you need some ideas what you can use the bags for, here’s what existing customers come up with: Use them as

• Knitting bags
• Beach bags
• Diaper bags
• Laptop bags
• “Toy” bags
• Daily carriers of all that is needed in your active life

Just a little guide at the end. Don’t try to remove the colored condoms (in the colored totes) they are sealed in and meant to stay there (unless you want to damage your bags). For those wishing to add their own brands or whatever (fotos, toys, buttons etc.) into their Safe Sax, there’s the Blank Sax. They come transparent and empty.

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Shopping with Safe Sax

And it’s not without a little grin on my face that I’m featuring NARS’ Safer Set (Sephora exclusivity) on condomunity today. The Safer Set comes with two condoms (with PREVENTION IS THE CURE printed on) so you can get sexy safely. It also comes with the cream stick with a cult following, Multiple in Orgasm, that delivers a peachy flush and a shimmery accent to eyes, cheeks, and lips.

The cream stick is a peachy pink shimmer (see more details when clicking on the picture). And as it’s often the case, part of the sales benefit Amfar programs to promote global safe sex education initiatives. The clue about the product is that it has a counterpart: the abstinence loving Safest Set. The kit contains a little black book that lists out all of the ways to say ‘no’ and let your wannabe lover down easy.

A clever product for the fashion ladies out there.

Product Page [Via Beauty Addict]

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NARS Going Safer Set

First if you don’t want to make your hands dirty and do a fashion condom costume with 4000 condom wrappers yourself, then just google something like condom costume and you’ll find enough material to work with. After your costume decision, we’ll add bags, a condom ringtone and the appropriate condom party lights. Off we go.

1. Condom Costumes
Examples for condom costumes. They aren’t only strange and funny, but they also carry slightly helpless names (descriptive nevertheless): Condom Dispenser Adult Costume, Adult Captain Condom Costume and Royal Nights Condom Costume.

2. Condom Ringtone
No Halloween condom costume is complete without the proper condom ringtone. Listen to it here and download at condomcondom.org.

3. Safe Sax

To carry all the condoms you’ll give away (or at least all your personal stuff) there’s nothing more suitable than a Safe Sax tote.

4. Condom Party Lights

We’re almost good to go, just in case your hosting the party make sure you do get the lights right. Nothing beats a condom costume matching condom light party of course.

These are the four steps involved in being condomized for Halloween. If I missed anything feel free to add it in the comments. Is condomizing for Halloween a good idea? You’ll have to decide for yourselves, but remember, the condom always wins.

Picture Credits Costumes 1, 2

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Perfectly Condomized for Halloween

The fashion show organized by the nonprofit AIDS/HIV advocacy charity Project Inform and hosted by Project Runway’s Jack Mackenroth showcased local and national designers’ fall collections — along with a signature piece partially made of condoms. Jack Mackenroth made a wedding gown for this event:

Wedding Gown Sketch
The condom wedding dress is made out of 2000 condom wrappers and a lot of glue.

Wedding Gown Completed
That’s what the completed dress looked like. You can view more pictures here.

Wedding Gown Full View

I thought it was interesting noting that Jack is suffering from a latex allergy which made the project especially challenging for him. “I had to have volunteers from Project Inform take them out of the packaging — all 4,000 of them — since I can’t even touch latex because I go into anaphylactic shock. No joke”, he told queerty.com.

Apart from Jack Mackenroth’s gown there were countless other participants some of whom incorporated as many as 32′000 condoms into six outfits. If anyone knows about the rest please let us know in the comments!

Sincere thanks to Jack Mackenroth for sending in the images.

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Jack Mackenroth’s Condom Wedding Dress

Because of the low awareness of the RAF Regiment they decided to a direct marketing campaign to 20′000 males between the ages of 18-24. They received condoms mounted on cards with the slogan: “Apply to weapon when on manoeuvers” as you can see on the picture below.

The tongue-in-cheek creative concept involves a condom as it’s part of every day life in the RAF Regiment. For example, Non-lubricated condoms make excellent water carriers and are very light and compact when not in use. In fact there are many, many military uses for a condom as the rest of their letter shows:

• Stop bleeding
• Prevent sand, dirt and water getting into wounds
• A condom placed over the barrel of a gun helps stop sand and dirt jamming the weapon
• Filled with water it’s an emergency water carrier
• Inflate them for good small arms targets
• Use in emergencies as surgical gloves to help prevent infection spreading
• Great storage covers for anything small that must be kept dry (flaes, matches, etc)

Emily White, Senior Direct and Relationship Marketing Manager at COI, said: “We felt the creative idea of using the condom would appeal to the target audience and hopefully encourage them to think about the RAF Regiment in a different way rather than just at face value. We’re confident the DM will help raise the profile of the RAF Regiment with the target audience as well as give people a clear understanding of its role.”

How can John McCain possibly oppose condom use?

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Condoms Even McCain Would Love