At Home Foreskin Restoration after Circumcision

Techniques and Devices that Help Circumcised Men Grow Penile Skin

Oct 5, 2009

Infant circumcisions remove a double fold of tissue that protects the glans and contains nerve endings. Men who wish to be intact now have nonsurgical options.

In the United States it is widespread practice to circumcise baby boys. The surgical removal of healthy tissue causes the loss of 50% of the penile nerve endings and exposes the sensitive glans. Using principles of tissue expansion it is possible to grow new skin to restore the appearance of an intact penis.

Original Tissue Cannot be Restored

The foreskin is attached to the glans by a frenulum in much the same way as the tongue is tied to the bottom of the mouth. There are muscular ridges that rib the foreskin allowing it to cling and move over the glans and fold up upon itself during an erection. These features, and the nerve endings that make the foreskin a particularly sensitive sexual tissue, cannot be replaced. Many men who do foreskin restoration claim that heightened sensitivity is experienced in the glans, due to the protection of newly grown skin. In terms of cosmetic appearance, a restored foreskin is looser than the original but looks much the same.

Manual Restoration is Called Tugging

The skin on the shaft of the penis as well as any remaining post-circumcision foreskin can be pushed toward the glans and pulled or stretched gently and held for 15 minutes at one or more intervals during the day. This practice is called "tugging." It causes proliferation, or growth of cells that lengthen skin over time.

Devices and Methods That Grow Skin

Maintaining tension on delicate tissues requires care. Avoid skin tears, stretchmarks, and irritation by using caution with methods and devices. The skin will grow over time with gentle manipulation, there are no shortcuts. Skin may be taped in place, 3M Micropore tape has been found to adhere well and is easily removed. A T-taping method uses elastic straps around the knee or waist to attach to a tab of tape that extends from tape encircling the penile skin. The amount of tape used on the penile shaft is measured at the widest point during an erection plus 1/2 an inch to allow slack so it can be retracted during urination.

Other methods involve the use of pliable "holders" to keep skin pushed forward. Multiple rubber O rings can do this, or a silicone baby bottle nipple trimmed on both ends to allow snug fit and urination may be used. The mouthpieces of some musical instruments may provide a smooth round surface that skin can be stretched over and taped in place. Rough edges will need to be modified and a cup should be worn to prevent accidental injury from bumping surfaces. Devices should be worn only a few hours a day. They must be easily removed and should not interfere with normal sexual activities.

Skin Growth Takes Time

With patience and dedication permanent new skin will be formed and eventually cover the glans, making it more sensitive and restoring an intact appearance. The process is gradual, with significant progress perceptible by one year. Most men say foreskin restoration takes up to two years to complete. Because a foreskin folds, the amount of skin needed may be double or triple what is available at the beginning of the process.

References

The copyright of the article At Home Foreskin Restoration after Circumcision in Men's Cosmetic Health is owned by Mary Earhart. Permission to republish At Home Foreskin Restoration after Circumcision in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.