A supplier of adult bedroom toys has ventured into the world of graphene, by designing a condom inspired by the super-strong material.
The Hex condom, developed by Swedish company Lelo, is being endorsed by none other than Charlie Sheen — once the highest-paid actor in television for his role in Two and a Half Men at $1.8 million per episode, Sheen revealed in November 2015 that he is suffering from HIV.
In a video advertisement — which the New York Times says “is filled with lingering, uncomfortable pauses” — Sheen spoke about the associating of condoms with decreased pleasure and less connection with one’s partner, and stated that the five-second act of putting one on can prevent a lifetime of potential grief and suffering. Sheen said that Internet searched about HIV spiked after he initially announced that he had contracted the disease, and now he wants to do what he can to raise awareness about health and safety.
The condoms are sold in a packs of 12 for $20. According to Lelo, the core of the Hex is a construction inspired by graphene because of its exemplary thinness and strength. The honeycomb structure is strong and hexagonal, similar to a turtle’s shell. The condom is designed to prevent slipping while worn, and to conform to the shape of the user. The condom’s internal hexagonal web is only 0.055mm thick and the latex panels in between are just 0.045 mm thick, which is not quite the thinnest condom out there but is thinner than some of the cheaper models available on the market.
Lelo started an Indiegogo fundraising page with the intent of raising $12,000 for this product. With a month still left in their campaign, they have collected just shy of $150,000, which is over 1200 percent of their original goal.
However, not everyone is a fan. A review on Gizmodo called the condom an “overpriced gimmick,” stating that the design is no safer or more pleasurable than other condoms on the market.