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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 insensitiveby a layer of [[keratin]].<ref>{{REFweb
|url=https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/keratinization
|archived=
== Keratin as "Protection" ==
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
|last=Fink
|first=Aaron J.
}}</ref>
Recent studies have shown this hypothesis to be false. One study found that there is "no difference between the keratinization of the inner and outer aspects of the adult male foreskin," and that "keratin layers alone were unlikely to explain why [[intact ]] men were formerly believed to be at higher risk for [[HIV]] infection, however keratinization of the glans penis was not measured."<ref>{{REFjournal
|last=Dinh
|init=MH
Since [[skin]] is constantly dying naturally (apoptosis) and being replaced, once the friction and irritation is replaced with the warm, moist, snug protection of the foreskin, the new cells aren't shoved into the harsh outside world, so they stay soft and pink and sensitive, the way they were intended to be. The surface of the glans penis gradually becomes softer, smoother, more glossy, and increased sensation has been reported by many restored men.
As the glans becomes more and more sensitive, restored men come to depend upon their [[restored foreskin ]] for protection and comfort.
{{SEEALSO}}
* [[Immunological and protective function of the foreskin]]
* [[Preputial sac]]
{{LINKS}}
* [https://damagefromcircumcision.blogspot.com/p/keratinization.html The Damage from Circumcision: Keratinization]
[[Category:Penile disorder]]
[[Category:Foreskin anatomy]]
[[Category:Circumcision complication]]
[[Category:From Intactipedia]]