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[[Image:Keratinization_intact_vs_circumcised.JPG |thumbnail|right|200px| The glans and [[mucosa ]] of intact and circumcised human penises in adult males.]]

'''Keratinization''' is the process whereby the surface of the [[glans]] and remaining [[preputial mucosa| mucosa]] of the circumcised penis become dry, toughened, hard and relatively insensitive.<ref>{{REFweb

}}</ref> Normally, the glans is covered by the [[foreskin]], which moisturizes the area by [[transudation]], keeping the surface of the glans and inner [[mucosa ]] moist and supple. After circumcision, however, the glans and surrounding [[mucosa ]] become permanently externalized, and they are exposed to the air and the constant abrasion of clothing. These areas dry out, causing layers of keratin to build, giving the glans and remaining [[mucosa ]] a dry, leathery appearance and reducing sensation.

It was hypothesized in the past that the layers of keratin resulting from [[circumcision]] provided a barrier of protection against [[Circumcision and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD's)| sexually transmitted diseases]]. In 1986, the late circumcision-advocate [[Aaron J. Fink]] invented the idea, without any evidence, that circumcision could prevent the transmission of [[HIV]], arguing that the hard and toughened glans of the circumcised male resisted infection, while the soft and sensitive foreskin and glans [[mucosa ]] of the intact male were ports of entry.<ref>{{REFjournal