Basics of foreskin restoration

Basic principle

Foreskin restoration is achieved by the principle of tissue expansion, which consists on applying tension to areas of tissue in order to stimulate cellular mitosis. Sustained tension over periods of time, repeated daily for a long period of time, results in enlargement of the existing tissue.

Foreskin restoration uses different methods to induce tension on the existing penile skin and mucosa, in order to enlarge those areas, to obtain tissue that looks like and in some ways behaves just like a real foreskin.

Foreskin restoration cannot restore those areas that were completely removed by circumcision, such as the ridged band or the frenulum (in the cases where it was removed completely).

Foreskin restoration alleviates tight erections and restores the mobility of the skin.

How to start

Tally, Restoring. Beginner's Guide to Foreskin Restoration, restoringforeskin.org. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
Tally, Restoring (30 June 2010). How to start restoring your foreskin, restoringforeskin.org. Retrieved 6 January 2019.

Regimen

Each method and each device places different kind of stress on the penile tissue. A common principle is to avoid pain. The stronger the tension, the less time it should be applied.

Recommended reading: Griffiths, R. Wayne. A Successful Restoration Regimen, norm.org, National Organization of Restoring men. Retrieved 6 January 2020.

Foreskin coverage indexes

There are 3 main methods use by foreskin restorers to measure the amount of foreskin they have. These indexes are at best approximations. There are two types of penises, growers and showers. The grower type changes size very substantially from flaccid to erect, while the shower type only changes size slightly, so the change from flaccid appearance to erect appearance varies.

CI - coverage index

The Coverage Index is based on the amount of foreskin coverage a penis has. It's a number between 1 an 10. It uses one set of flaccid photos and a set of erect photos. Restorers often use numbers outside the scale to describe their state, such as CI0 (someone with a very tight circumcision), or CI2.5 (between the photos in CI2 and CI3)

Sherriff, Paul. Coverage Index, restoringforeskin.org. Retrieved 6 January 2020.

RCI - real coverage index

The real coverage index was created as a reaction to frustration trying to measure the progress of restorers using the CI scale. Restorers typically vary the appearance of their penis depending on several factors, such as temperature, posture, underwear, etc. The real coverage index does not use a set of pictures for its scale, but it uses verbal descriptions of the way the foreskin behaves. Restorers can consider how their skin behaves most of the time, to find out what their real coverage index is.

The Real Coverage Index - RCI, restoringforeskin.org, Restoring for Men. Retrieved 6 January 2020.

FEC - forced erect coverage

Forced erect coverage is a measurement obtained by producing an erection, forcing as much skin as possible over the glans, and comparing that number to the length of the glans. The result is a percentage, which can be negative (no coverage at all), or it can be a number smaller than 100% (some coverage), or greater than 100% (full coverage and some overhang).

http://tlctugger.com/forced-erect-coverage/

Keeping track of progress

Table

Until full flaccid coverage is achieved, there won't be enough skin to cover the complete flaccid penis. Attempting to pull the skin over the glans to cover the penis completely will result in pushing the internal part of the penis (corpus cavernosum, corpus spongiosum) towards the inside of the body, making the penis look shorter.

Gary M. Griffin in Decircumcision: foreskin restoration, methods and circumcision practices described a table which uses this as a way of tracking progress. As more skin is grown, the covered penis will look larger, until it achieves the full flaccid length.

The restorer then should measure his full extended flaccid penis without any coverage, and use that measure as a baseline. Then, periodically pull the skin over the glans to cover the full penis and measure the length. When this measurement coincides with the baseline measurement, full flaccid coverage has been achieved.

Photography

Photographs should be taken periodically. Once restoration is undergoing, the penis may look different depending on temperature, clothing, position, etc, so it is important to seek similar conditions for the photographic record. For consistency, it is recommended to take the photographs under similar conditions (same time of the day, 30 minutes after a warm shower, same place, camera in same location, similar light conditions).

Overview of methods

Summary of tape methods

DIY devices

Many variations of these methods can be used with devices made from common household items that can be purchased at the supermarket, the pharmacy, the hardware store or the auto part. Sockets, o rings, film canisters, milk bottle nipples, tuba mouth pieces, round bearings, plastic funnels, medical tape, aquarium silicone are some of the items used by restorers to make their own devices, which depending on the configuration can work with inflation, as a tugger (with a strap or elastic), as weights, as retainers, etc.

Deep socket, ball bearing

These can be used as weights, generally with medical tape.

http://www.apollotechonline.com/pdffiles/Suspended%20Weights%20Foreskin%20Restoration.pdf

O rings

Plumbing o rings from the hardware store can be used. Some foreskin restoration vendors also offer their own o rings. Commonly used sizes (based on the inner diameter, I.D.) are 3/4", 13/16", 7/8" and 15/16".

Film canister

The plastic canister where 135 photographic film comes.

http://www.apollotechonline.com/pdffiles/Film%20Tube%20Foreskin%20Restoration.pdf

Plastic funnel

http://www.norm.org/funnel.html

Milk bottle nipples retainer and device

http://www.restoringtally.com/blog/2009/12/baby-bottle-nipple-retainers

Trombone or tuba mouthpiece

Commercial devices

Currently available

No longer in production

Retainers

DTR offers a retainer. They also offer o-rings, which can be used for retaining as well.
TLC Tugger offers YourSkin cone.
Hyperrestore offers the off-duty retaining cone.
MP users often use the first part of the device without the weight, as their retainer.
Manhood

Other products

Comparison of devices

Touch-up surgeries

Some surgeries can be performed to correct some defects caused by circumcision or to improve the appearance of the restored foreskin.