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|DOI=https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.1090570409
|accessdate=2023-05-23
}}</ref> so it cannot be [[Infection| infected]]. The preputial sac will remain closed for a variable number of years. Thorvaldsen & Meyhoff (2005) conducted a survey of 4000 young men in [[Denmark]]. They reported that the mean age of first [[foreskin ]] retraction is 10.4 years in [[Denmark]].<ref name="Thorvaldsen">{{REFjournal
|last=Thorvaldsen
|init=MA
|date=2005
|accessdate=2025-03-06
}}</ref> Non-retractile [[foreskin ]] is the more common condition until about 10-11 years of age.===Penile health===
The preputial sac is lined with [[mucosa]] as is appropriate for an internal organ where moisture is present.<ref name="cold-taylor1999">{{ColdCJ TaylorJR 1999}}</ref> [[Urine]] and other sources of moisture are not harmful to it.
|ref=<ref>{{DeWitte etal 2007}}</ref>
}}
Fendereski et al. (2024) compared the penile health of [[circumcised]] boys without a preputial sac to [[intact]] boys with a preputial sac during the first five years of life. The authors reported that the [[circumcised]] boys had three times as many complaints when compared with [[intact]] boys.<ref name=fendereski2024">{{REFjournal
|last=Fendereski
|first=
|init=K
|author-link=
|last2=Horns
|first2=
|init2=JJ
|author2-link=
|last3=Driggs
|first3=
|init3=N
|author3-link=
|last4=Lau
|first4=
|init4=G
|author4-link=
|last5=Shaeffer
|first5=
|init5=AJ
|author5-link=
|etal=no
|title=Comparing Penile Problems in Circumcised vs. Uncircumcised Boys: Insights From a Large Commercial Claims Database With a Focus on Provider Type Performing Circumcision
|trans-title=
|language=
|journal=J Pediatr Surg
|date=2024-11
|volume=59
|issue=11
|article=161614
|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002234682400407X
|archived=
|quote=
|pubmedID=39084960
|pubmedCID=11486584
|DOI=10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2024.06.022
|accessdate=2025-12-03
}}</ref>
=== Sub-preputial moisture ===
A longer [[foreskin]] improves wetness in the preputial sac.<ref name="ofarrell2008">{{REFjournal
}}</ref> Moistness also may be maintained by [[transudation]].<ref name="cold-taylor1999" /> The preputial sac may also receive [[pre-ejaculate]], which may be distinguished because it is more slippery. The sac may vary from very slightly moist to wet when one is aroused.
Nevertheless, some men report dryness in their preputial sac and with their [[glans penis]]. Some men recommend coconut oil and others recommend [[jojoba ]] oil.<ref>{{REFweb |url=https://www.redditsupremepenis.com/r/balanitis/comments/walcbhblog/the_jojoba_oil_solutionbest-natural-oils-for-penis-skin-care/ |title=The jojoba oil solution Best Natural Oils for Penis Skin Care: Ultimate Guide to Healthy Skin
|last=Anonymous
|first=
|init=
|author-link=
|publisher=REDDITSupreme Penis |date=20222025-07-14 |accessdate=2025-0108-0721}}</ref> to moisturize the preputial sac. A few drops, applied once or twice a day, appears to be enough to keep the sac moisturized, lubricated, and comfortable.
=== Foreskin fragrance ===
|date=
|accessdate=2024-04-26
}}</ref> <ref>{{REFweb
|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/uncircumcised_talk/comments/1llu8bi/what_does_it_smell_like/
|title=What does it smell like?
|last=Anonymous
|first=
|init=
|author-link=
|publisher=REDDIT
|date=2025-06-27
|accessdate=2025-06-28
}}</ref> from their [[penis]]. Musk is also produced by deer to create sexual arousal.<ref name="vocabulary2024" /> The fragrance, when it occurs, is emitted from the preputial sac.
The fragrance may contain stimulating [[pheromone| pheromones ]] and is variously characterized. A few find it offensive, but others find it attractive, pleasing, exciting, stimulating, or arousing.<ref name="vocabulary2024" /> <ref>{{REFweb
|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/uncircumcised_talk/comments/1juhht2/scent/
|title=Scent
|init=
|author-link=
|publisher=RedditREDDIT
|date=
|accessdate=2025-04-09
Some believe that the use of soap in the preputial sac harms the natural [[microbiome]] and increases the strength of the fragrance. The musky foreskin fragrance may be contained by avoiding retraction of the [[foreskin]].
Several manufacturers offer musk-scented cologne for men.
==Washing==
The presence of the healthy [[microbiome]], the [[Langerhans cells]], and the lytics in the sub-preputial moisture give the preputial sac strong immunological functions. [[Circumcision]] destroys the preputial sac and its protective immunological functions and makes the patient more vulnerable to [[infection]] throughout life.<ref name="fleiss1998" />
One frequently hears the advice to wash the preputial sac at least daily to prevent [[infection]]. This advice is outmodeddoes not reflect the [[Immunological and protective function of the foreskin| immunological functions]] of the [[foreskin]] and the need to maintain skin oil to avoid [[balanitis]].<ref name="birley1993" /> <ref name="fleiss1998" /> It is not consistent with medical science, and is outmoded and inaccurate. Washing may introduce pathogens into the preputial cavity.<ref name="fleiss1998" /> It also removes the skin oil and protective lytic substances described above. It is better to rinse only as necessary, using only clear warm waterwithout soap, body wash, or shampoo.<ref>{{REFbook
|last=Bigelow
|first=Jim
|publisher=Hourglass Book Pub
|isbn=978-0934061223
}}</ref> One or twice a week is sufficient.<ref name="damon2010">{{REFweb |title=Intact Care of Elderly Men in Nursing Homes |url=http://www.drmomma.org/2010/05/intact-care-of-elderly-men-in-nursing.html |archived= |trans-title= |language= |last=Damon |first= |init=KL |author-link= |publisher=Peaceful Parenting |website=www.drmomma.org |date=2010 |accessdate=2023-12-12 |format= |quote=It is true that nursing programs (and medical school programs) in the [[United States]] have a long way to go in teaching proper [[intact]] care and development.}}</ref> It also is customary to wash before and after sex.
If the [[foreskin]] is non-retractable, then a [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rubber%20bulb%20ear%20syringe rubber-bulb ear syringe ] may be used to squirt warm water into the [[foreskin]] to flush it out for an occasional washing. Washing is recommended before and after sex and as desired needed to remove accumulated [[smegma]].
<b>Soap, body wash, and shampoo should not be used inside the preputial sac, because they remove the beneficial skin oil.</b>
* [[Hygiene]]
* [[Immunological and protective function of the foreskin]]
* [[Jojoba]]
* [[Living with a foreskin in circumcised America]]
* [[Meatus]]
|date=2025-04-08
|accessdate=2025-04-12
}}
* {{REFweb
|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/uncircumcised_talk/comments/1o8su5n/comment/njy0dyz/
|title=Mom of intact son here (:
|last=Anonymous
|first=
|init=
|author-link=
|publisher=REDDIT
|date=2025-10-17
|accessdate=2025-10-17
}}
{{REF}}