The “nylon isn’t body safe” question (and why it keeps popping up)
Every so often someone asks, very politely, something like:
“A friend said nylon is toxic and not body safe. Why do you use it?”
First: thank you. That question usually comes from care and we love a community that checks when in doubt, asks for sources, and wants the facts before the fun.
Second: “nylon” is not one single material. It’s a whole family of polymers, made in different ways, with different additives, finishes, and intended uses. Saying “nylon is toxic” is a bit like saying “metal is unsafe” without naming whether we mean titanium, lead, or a spoon.
So let’s get specific about what we use, what the standards mean, and what safe use looks like in the real world.
TL;DR (for the impatient and the already-undressed)
· Our Premium Nylon Claws are safe to use on your body
· We use Nylon 12 (PA12), commonly known in industrial SLS printing as PA2200.
· PA2200 is widely documented as biocompatible under EN ISO 10993-1 and USP Class VI (under defined conditions).
· “Biocompatible” means the material has been tested for specific biological responses, under specific standards and contexts.
· For claws, the intended contact is external skin contact (not implanting, not long-term internal use).
· We recommend washing Claws after every use, just as you would any quality toy.
· If you want a different material option, we also offer metal claws (titanium or aluminium) or our Crystal Claws (made from a dental resin designed to be kept inside the mouth for extended periods)
“Are our Claws safe to use?” - YES
So when someone says “nylon isn’t body safe”, they’re usually reacting to one of these real issues:
1) They’ve heard about additives (not nylon itself)
Some plastics include plasticisers, colourants, stabilisers, or processing residues that can be irritating or poorly suited to skin contact. That’s why the specific grade matters.
It’s also where a lot of well‑meaning concern actually lives: not in the base polymer, but in what’s added to it.
A note on colour, dyes, and our products.
Our coloured nylon Claws are not pigmented with plastic additives or plasticisers blended through the material.
Instead, they are dyed after manufacture, using a professional textile-style dye process designed to bond with nylon at a molecular level.
This is the same class of dye chemistry used for colouring nylon fabrics, activewear, lingerie, ropes, and other items that are intended for prolonged skin contact. While we don’t use the consumer Dylon brand specifically, the dye chemistry is equivalent in purpose and safety profile.
These dyes are formulated to:
· bond to nylon fibres rather than sit loosely on the surface
· be colourfast once properly processed and rinsed
· be suitable for direct skin contact, as required for clothing and textiles
Crucially, this approach avoids the need for:
· plasticisers
· heavy-metal pigments
· surface coatings that can flake or wear unpredictably
The result is colour that lives in the nylon, not something applied on top of it.
2) They’re thinking of “random 3D print plastic”
Home-printed parts can have unknown filament blends, dyes, or contaminants. Also, some prints can be rough or porous, which is a hygiene issue more than a “toxicity” issue.
3) They’re mixing up “not food safe” with “unsafe to touch”
Food-contact and body-contact aren’t identical standards, but they overlap in the public imagination.
Not all Nylons are equal
Nylon is a category name for polyamides. Within that family you’ll see things like:
· Nylon 6
· Nylon 6/6
· Nylon 11
· Nylon 12 (PA12)
They differ in flexibility, moisture absorption, surface feel, durability, and typical use-cases. PA12 is popular for functional parts because it’s tough, stable, and can achieve a smooth, skin-friendly finish when processed well.
The specific material: PA12 / PA2200 (SLS nylon)
When we talk about our Premium Nylon Claws, we’re talking about PA12, commonly referenced as PA2200 in SLS manufacturing contexts.
Material datasheets for PA2200 commonly state that the material is biocompatible according to EN ISO 10993-1 and USP Class VI (121°C), indicating it has been evaluated against recognised biological response criteria under defined test conditions.
What “biocompatible” means (without the marketing fog machine)
EN ISO 10993-1 is part of a framework used to evaluate the biological response to materials intended for body contact (things like irritation, sensitisation, and cytotoxicity), with tests selected based on the type and duration of contact.
USP Class VI is another widely referenced biological reactivity test for plastics.
When PA2200 is described as meeting these standards, it means the material has undergone specific testing designed to assess whether it causes adverse biological reactions under defined conditions.
Important nuance (and it matters):
Biocompatibility claims are not a blank cheque. They do not automatically mean:
· safe to implant (please do NOT implant your Claws inside humans)
· safe for long-term internal use (if your Claws do penetrate a human, please do NOT leave them there for extended periods)
· safe regardless of surface finish or cleanliness (please keep your Claws clean)
· safe for every person (sensitivities and allergies exist)
Biocompatibility claims do support the suitability of PA12 for skin-contact products when manufactured and used responsibly.
“Are our Nylon Claws toxic?” - NO
For the way Claws are typically used (external skin contact, controlled play, and normal hygiene), PA12 is not considered inherently toxic.
Concerns often arise from:
· unknown or mixed plastics
· poor finishing
· grime trapped in textured surfaces
· lack of cleaning between uses
Which is why we’re explicit about care: wash Claws after every use and allow them to dry fully before storage.
Safety is a whole system (material + finish + care + consent)
Even excellent materials can be used poorly. Safety lives in the full picture.
Intended use
Claws are designed for external use: scratching, sensation play, teasing, ritual, and power exchange.
Cleaning & care
· Wash Claws after every use with warm water and mild soap
· Rinse thoroughly
· Dry completely before storing
Body awareness
Some bodies are more reactive than others. If you have known sensitivities, start gently and pay attention to how your skin responds.
Why we use PA12 for Premium Nylon Claws
We choose PA12 because it offers:
· Precision – consistent sizing and repeatable quality
· Comfort – lightweight and wearable
· Performance – durable enough for real play
· Finish potential – smooth, skin-friendly surfaces
Our Claws are precision engineered using manufacturing processes that prioritise consistency and quality. No-one has ever told us they wore out a set of Claws!
The flirty truth
Fear shuts things down. Knowledge opens them back up.
PA12 has strong documentation supporting its use in skin-contact applications. But safety also lives in how you play: clean your toys, communicate clearly, start gently, and build skill.
That’s how trust grows. And trust is very sexy.
FAQ
Is nylon body safe?
Some nylons, in some forms, for some uses, yes. PA12 has documented biocompatibility under recognised standards.
Does biocompatible mean safe for everything?
No. It means tested under defined conditions, not universally suitable for all uses.
Why not only make metal claws?
Metal offers a different sensation, weight, and temperature profile. Nylon provides precision, lightness, and a distinct feel many people prefer.
Still unsure?
Choose the material you feel confident with, use good hygiene, and reach out with questions. Informed consent applies to toys too.