Changes

}}</ref> Other biological phenomena such as tissue inflammation can also be considered expansion.

[[Skin]] expansion is a common surgical procedure to grow additional [[skin]] through controlled mechanical overstretch.<ref name="whyitworks2021" /> It creates [[skin]] that matches the color, texture, and thickness of the surrounding tissue, while minimizing scars and eliminating risk of rejection.

|pages=166-75

|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3278515/

|pubmedID=3278515

|pubmedCID=22227432

}}</ref>

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

|last=Dunn

|DOI=10.1111/j.1445-2197.1989.tb07640.x

|accessdate=2019-11-07

|last=Beaugé

|init=M

}}</ref> One should continue to stretch until one's [[foreskin]] [[Gliding action| glides]] smoothly back and forth. This works best when topical steroid ointment (available by prescription) is used along with the stretching.

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.

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]].

Tissue expansion has also been used for the technique of non-surgical [[foreskin restoration]], which applies tension externally using specialized devices and/or manual stretching to replace circumcised tissues with newly expanded residual [[shaft skin]].<ref>{{REFjournal

|last=Radovan

|url=http://www.noharmm.org/snip.htm

|title=Not a "Snip," But 15 Square Inches

|last=Hammond

|first=T

|publisher=

|date=2012-02-28

|accessdate=2019-10-10

}}</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

|url=http://www.cirp.org/pages/restore.html

|title=Foreskin restoration for circumcised men

|date=2013-08-17

|accessdate=2019-10-10

}}</ref>

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]].

[[Intact]] men who have a short natural [[foreskin]] may use tissue expansion to lengthen their [[foreskin]]. It frequently results in [http://acroposthion.com/ancient-greeks-and-the-foreskin/ improved appearance] as well as increased comfort and sensation with improved [[gliding action]]. One uses the same techniques as used for for non-surgical [[foreskin restoration]].