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'''Tissue expansion''' is a technique used by plastic, maxillofacial, and reconstructive surgeons to cause the body to grow additional [[skin]], bone, or other tissues.<ref name="whyitworks2021">{{REFweb

[[Skin ]] expansion is a common surgical procedure to grow extra [[skin ]] through controlled mechanical overstretch.<ref name="whyitworks2021" /> It creates [[skin ]] that matches the color, texture, and thickness of the surrounding tissue, while minimizing scars and eliminating risk of rejection.

When [[skin ]] is stretched beyond its physiological limit, mechanotransduction pathways are activated. This leads to cell growth as well as to the [[Mitosis| formation of new cells]].<ref name="whyitworks2021" />

[[Stretching]] the [[skin ]] beyond normal expansion invokes several mechanotransduction pathways which increase [[mitosis| mitotic]] activity and promote collagen synthesis.<ref name="whyitworks2021" /> As a result, the [[skin ]] surface area increases.<ref>{{REFjournal

Boys are born with a [[foreskin]] that is non-retractable for reasons of protection. The inner surface is fused with the [[glans penis]] by a [[synechia]] (similar to a fingernail that is glued to the nail bed of the finger). Also the tip of the foreskin is too narrow to retract. As a boy gets older, the synechia disintegrates and releases the foreskin and the foreskin gets wider as a boy ages, so the foreskin gradually becomes [[Retraction of the foreskin| retractable]]. Some boys go through puberty but find that their [[foreskin]] is still too narrow to permit retraction.

Tissue expansion has also been used for the technique of non-surgical [[foreskin restoration]], which applies tension externally using specialized devices and/or manual stretching to replace circumcised tissues with newly expanded residual shaft [[skin]].<ref>{{REFjournal

Non-surgical tissue expansion techniques can expand one's surviving penile [[skin]], making it a longer tube so it can function like a [[foreskin]].<ref name="collier2011">{{REFjournal

}}</ref> Men who have been circumcised stretch and apply tension to their shaft and foreskin remnants to expand and elongate tissue in efforts to produce a functional foreskin. This form of tissue expansion can take years, as the amount of [[skin ]] growth required is typically around 15 square inches.<ref>{{REFweb

}}</ref> This process does not regenerate or restore the function of the [[frenulum]] or the [[ridged band]]. It does, however, typically involve growing more shaft [[skin ]] and [[preputial mucosa]], which serves to moisten and protect the [[glans penis|glans]]. Men who have restored their foreskin typically notice increased sensitivity and dekeratinization of the glans.<ref>{{REFweb

Men who have been circumcised sometimes report that there is not enough [[skin ]] left to allow full erection of the [[penis]], so the penis is shorter than before [[circumcision]]. They may also experience tight, painful erections. In such cases, tissue expansion may help to get full length and relieve pain during erection.