Tissue expansion: Difference between revisions

==== A word to intact teens ====

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.  

Beaugé (1997) reported that boys, who [[Masturbation| masturbate]] by pulling their foreskin away from the body, will not stretch the tight part of the foreskin so non-retractile foreskin will persist. He advised changing the method of [[masturbation]] to the more conventional method of pulling the foreskin toward the body so that the narrow orifice get stretched.<ref name="beauge1997" />

The traditional way of addressing this issue was to consult a urologist and get a [[Adolescent and adult circumcision| circumcision]], however we now understand that in the vast majority of cases, manual stretching over a few months will widen the foreskin by tissue expansion, make the foreskin retractable and eliminate the need for a destructive [[Adolescent and adult circumcision| circumcision]].

}}</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

There are several reasons a person would want to lengthen his existing [[foreskin]]. The longer the foreskin is, the more securely it will stay protectively in place over the [[glans penis]]. Many regard a longer foreskin or [[acroposthion]] as more esthetically pleasing. A longer foreskin provides better protection than a shorter foreskin. A longer foreskin also allows a longer [[gliding action]] with better sensation than a shorter foreskin.

* [http://phimosisjourney.com/ A Phimosis Journey]