Wet Lubricants is a brand of personal lubricants produced by Wet International, part of Trigg Laboratories in Valencia, California.[1] The line includes a variety of water based, silicone based and oil based lubricants, as well as massage oils and shaving creams.[2]
The Chief executive officer and President of Trigg Laboratories is Michael Trygstad, who co-founded the company in 1989 with Executive Vice President Christian Franco. They started off with one product: Wet brand personal lubricant.
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When Wet was launched, AIDS awareness was at a peak and the original Wet product was formulated with Nonoxynol-9, a spermicidal agent that was an ingredient in many mainstream sexual wellness and contraceptive products at the time. In 1996, studies began to question the efficacy of Nonoxynol-9 in reducing HIV transmission, while isolated cases of skin irritation and inflammation were also reported and Trigg Laboratories chose to remove it from their product. While these studies began eleven years ago, it was only in December 2007 that the Food and Drug Administration finally mandated a warning about Nonoxynol-9.[3]
In 2010 a report of a study was released by University of California, Los Angeles researchers that found that subjects who used lubricants during anal sex were three times more likely to contract rectal sexually transmitted infections than those who had anal sex without lubricant.[4] This and one other study examining the effects of sexual lubricants used in anal sex were presented in April at the International Microbicides Conference.[5]
Of the lubricants tested (Astroglide, Elbow Grease, ID Glide, KY Jelly, Wet Platinum, and PRÉ) all were water-based but Wet Platinum, which is silicone-based. PRE and Wet Platinum were found to be the safest lubricants in terms of toxicity, whereas Astroglide and KY Jelly appeared to be the most problematic.[6]
To give the product its texture and feel, water-based lubricants have higher amounts of glycerin, adding high levels of salts and sugars. As a silicon-based product, Wet Platinum does not have a high glycerin component, so the salt and sugar levels are more consistent with that of the rectal cells. PRÉ is an isotonic lubricant, meaning it has the same concentration of sugars, salt, and water as human rectal cells, so it would not cause trauma to the epithelium.[7]
In April 2010, Wet Kiwi Strawberry flavored lubricant was featured in an episode of MTV’s The Real World: Washington, D.C. when housemate Andrew picked up a bottle and proceeded to snack on the lubricant by pouring it directly into his mouth. He joked that it was really tasty and he would use it on salads.[8]
In May 2010, Wet lubricants were featured on Tori and Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood as a part of Tori’s new adventures in wedding planning. Taking on the role of wedding planner for her friend Brandy’s wedding, Tori is charged with wer arrangements, cakes, set-up and the bridal party gift bags, in which she provided a variety of Wet personal lubricants.[9]
In June 2010, Wet Platinum was featured in the “adult” version of the music video for Ludacris’ single “Sex Room,” which debuted on Vevo. Wet Platinum was used by Ludacris in a steamy bedroom scene. The edited version of the video was released yesterday on MTV and MTV2 but does not include scenes with Wet.[10]