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'''Tissue expansion''' is a technique used by plastic, maxillofacial, and reconstructive surgeons to cause the body to grow additional [[skin]], bone, or other tissues. <ref name="whyitworks2021">{{REFweb |url=https://www.phimostretch.com/blogs/news/phimosis-stretching-why-it-works |title=Phimosis -Why stretching totally works (Science explained) -Phimostretch |last= |first= |date=2021 |accessdate=2021-07-28}}</ref> Other biological phenomena such as tissue inflammation can also be considered expansion.

==Skin expansion==Skin expansion is a common surgical procedure to grow extra skin through controlled mechanical overstretch. It creates skin that matches the color, texture, and thickness of the surrounding tissue, while minimizing scars and risk of rejection.

When [[Skin]] expansion is a common surgical procedure to grow additional [[skin]] through controlled mechanical overstretch.<ref name="whyitworks2021" /> It creates [[skin is stretched beyond its physiological limit]] that matches the color, texture, mechanotransduction pathways are activated. This leads to cell growth as well as to and thickness of the formation surrounding tissue, while minimizing scars and eliminating risk of new cellsrejection.

When [[skin]] is stretched beyond its physiological limit, mechanotransduction pathways are activated. This leads to cell growth as well as to the [[Mitosis| formation of new cells]].<ref name="whyitworks2021" /> The growth of tissue is permanent<ref>{{REFbook |last=Bigelow |first=Jim |init=J |author-link=Jim Bigelow |year=1995 |title=[[The Joy of Uncircumcising]] |work= |editor= |edition= |volume= |chapter=Ch. 13: Skin expansion:How it works and what it provides |scope= |page= |pages=132-9 |location=Aptos, but will contract to some degree when California |publisher=Hourglass Book Publishing |ISBN=0-934061-22-X |quote=The gain in sensitivity is the tension is removedfirst and most consistent benefit of restoration. |accessdate=2023-08-15 |note=}}</ref>

[[Stretching ]] the [[skin ]] beyond normal expansion invokes several mechanotransduction pathways which increase [[mitosis| mitotic]] activity and promote collagen synthesis. <ref name="whyitworks2021" /> As a result, the [[skin ]] surface area increases.<ref>{{REFjournal

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== Applications == ===Relief of phimosis or tight foreskin=== Tissue expansion by manual [[stretching ]] effectively widens the [[foreskin]] to treat [[phimosis]] or [[paraphimosis]].<ref>{{REFjournal

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|title= |transNon-title= |language=Surgical Management of Phimosis

}}</ref> <refname="beauge1991">{{REFdocument |title=Conservative Treatment of Primary Phimosis in Adolescents |url=http://www.cirp.org/library/treatment/phimosis/beauge/ |contribution= |last=Beaugé |first=Michel |publisher=Saint-Antoine University |format= |date=1991 |accessdate=2022-11-20}}</ref> <ref name="beauge1997">{{REFjournal

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==== 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 [[Issues with American urologists and the practice of male circumcision| 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]]. ===Foreskin restoration=== Tissue expansion has also been used for the technique of non-surgical [[foreskin restoration]], which is usually non-surgical and applies tension externally using specialized devices and/or manual stretching to replace circumcised tissues with new cellsnewly expanded residual [[shaft skin]].<ref>{{REFjournal

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Non-surgical tissue expansion techniques can expand one's surviving [[penile skin]], making it a longer tube so it can function like a [[foreskin]].<ref name="collier2011">{{REFjournal

}}</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

|first=Tim |init=T |author-link=Tim Hammond

|website=[[NOHARMM]]

|format= |quote=}}</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

|trans-title= |language= |last= |first= |publisher= |website=Circumcision Information and Resource Pages[[CIRP]]

|format= |quote=}}</ref>  ==Lengthening one's foreskin== 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 against [[keratinization]] than a shorter foreskin. A longer foreskin also allows a longer [[gliding action]] with better sensation than a shorter foreskin. One uses the same techniques as are used for for non-surgical [[foreskin restoration]]. === Excessive circumcision === Men who have been [[circumcised]] sometimes report that there is not enough [[skin]] left to allow full [[erection]] of the [[penis]], so the [[penis]] is shorter than before [[circumcision]]. They may also experience tight, painful [[erection]]s. In such cases, tissue expansion may help to get full length and relieve pain during [[erection]]. === Short natural foreskins ===

Men who have been circumcised sometimes report that there is not enough skin left to allow full erection of the penis, so the penis is shorter than before An [[circumcisionacroposthion]]. In such cases, tissue expansion may help to get full erectionbe created gradually with consistent regular stretching with a device or manually.

===Short natural foreskinsCorrection of an uneven foreskin ===Men who have a Some foreskins are naturally shorter on one side than the other. This may be corrected over time by manually stretching only the short natural [[foreskin]] may use tissue expansion to lengthen their foreskinside.

* [[PhimosisStretching]]* [[Plastic surgery]]