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Many circumcised men are discovering that they can return their bodies to a more natural, intact state. Working on the principle that skin will grow when gently but continuously stretched, the process can be very effective, although it may take several years to complete. While a "restored" foreskin may never regain the level of sensitivity of an uncircumcised foreskin, many restored men report great satisfaction with the process in terms of sensitivity, appearance, and emotional completeness.
Steps
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Ask yourself why you want to regrow your foreskin. Foreskin restoration won’t restore your original foreskin, but it can create new tissue around the head of your penis. [1] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source There are many reasons why a man would choose to restore his foreskin. [2] X Trustworthy Source Nature Respected Multidisciplinary Scientific Journal Go to source
- Some people do it to feel emotionally whole and believe that they’re victims of genital mutilation. [3] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Others resent not having a choice when they were circumcised as an infant. [4] X Trustworthy Source Nature Respected Multidisciplinary Scientific Journal Go to source
- Some people restore their foreskin to increase penile sensitivity and improve sexual satisfaction. However, there isn’t enough evidence to support this claim. [5] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Whatever the reason, ask yourself if you’re ready to undertake a project that will take years to complete.
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Understand how regrowth works. The most effective way to restore your foreskin without surgery is through tissue expansion. [6] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- This works by pulling the skin of the penile shaft over the glans (either manually or using a device) until additional skin cells are produced and a new foreskin forms to cover the glans. [7] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Once the foreskin has expanded enough to cover the glans, some of the hidden nerve endings may be restored, which might result in increased sensitivity.
- Talk to your healthcare provider before you attempt tissue expansion on your own. [8] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Do your research. There are many options for restoring the foreskin, it's just a matter of deciding which works best for you and fits into your lifestyle. For instance, a man who uses a public shower or locker room may prefer a device that can be donned and removed quickly and inconspicuously. A college student with roommates and not much money may prefer manual tugging. Do your research and carefully consider the following factors before making a decision. [9] X Research source
- Cost: Although some methods cost nothing (manual tugging) others require expensive ($40 to $300) equipment.
- Level of commitment: How much time you're willing to invest in regrowing your foreskin can affect which method you should use.
- Type of activity throughout restoration time (work, exercise, etc.): Many restoration devices require a weight to be worn on the penis for hours at a time, which could be impractical if you live an active lifestyle.
- The amount of "extra" skin (i.e. skin folds) you currently have: Some tugging devices (such as the CAT II, DTR or TLC-X) require a certain amount of loose skin before they can be used. Therefore if you're cut very tightly, your options may be more limited, at least at first.
- Whether you have more shaft or mucosal skin: Shaft skin is from the circ scar line to the base of the penis and is called "outer" skin. Mucosal skin goes from the corona of the glans to the scar. Since this skin will fold against the glans and therefore be "inside" the prepuce, it's referred to as "inner" skin.
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Understand manual tugging. Manual tugging involves using your hands to gently but firmly stretch your skin. To start, tug a few minutes a day with light tension. Slowly work up to tugging 2 to 10 minutes at a time for 1 hour or more a day. [10] X Research source
- Manual tugging is the cheapest and easiest method of regrowing your foreskin, but it requires a lot of commitment as it can take a long time before any obvious results are achieved. [11] X Research source
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Find some privacy. Make sure that you have plenty of uninterrupted time to yourself during the day when you can perform the manual tugging, as it can be quite conspicuous.
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Try a basic tugging method. A good tugging technique for beginners involves making an "OK" symbol using the index finger and thumb on both hands. [13] X Research source
- Use one hand to encircle the shaft of your penis near the scrotum and the other to encircle the shaft near the glans. [14] X Research source
- Then gently begin pulling the skin in opposite directions. Hold the stretch for 5 to 30 seconds, then release for several seconds before repeating. [15] X Research source
- This tugging method can be effective because it creates tension around the full circumference of the shaft. [16] X Research source
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Start by tugging for an hour or two per day. Reports vary on how long you need to tug per day to get the best results. Some men claim it's necessary to tug for a minimum of six hours a day, while others report success with tugging for only one hour a day. [17] X Research source
- The best thing to do is start slow until you get used to the tugging process. This will help to prevent the skin on your penis from becoming sore or irritated.
- To start, tug a few minutes a day with light tension. Over time, you can increase the length of time you tug for and the amount of tension you apply—if you feel it's necessary. [18] X Research source
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Consider using a tugging device. There are a number of tugging devices available that work by simultaneously pulling and pushing the skin on the shaft. [19] X Research source Some of the most popular devices include:
- TLC tugger: With the TLC tugger, a silicone plug is placed against the glans, then the shaft skin is pulled up over the plug and held in place with a soft rubber cap. You can then attach one end of an elastic strap to the TLC and the other end around the knee or leg, to apply pulling tension. Weights can also be used. [20] X Research source
- TLC-X device: Short for "TapeLess Conical eXtensible," this device is effective as it can be extended as you gain skin, making it a more long-lasting piece of equipment. Weights or straps can also be used to increase tension. It's available online for about $140.
- CATIIQ device: CATIIQ is short for "Constant Applied Tension II Quick." The benefit of this device is that it’s tapeless and can be attached and detached from the penis quickly and easily. [21] X Research source
- DTR device: DTR is short for "Dual Tension Restorer." [22] X Research source It's available online for about $75 to $80.
- MySkinClamp: Made from medical-grade stainless steel, this device functions similarly to the CATIIQ and DTR. [23] X Research source
- Foreballs: These require some foreskin, which is drawn over one of the device's metal balls and taped in place. [24] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Penile Uncircumcising Device (PUD): The device is placed against the glans and the skin is drawn over the PUD and taped in place. The weight of the PUD applies tension. [25] X Research source
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Try using T-tape. T-tape is medical tape formed into a "T" shape (from a side view) which is wrapped around the foreskin and drawn forward over the glans with an elastic band. Instructions on how to make t-tape from common medical tape and how to apply it are available at RestoringForeskin.org . [26] X Research source
- Comfortable and effective, this method suits many restorers and can be worn 24 hours or more, including during sleep.
- Drawbacks include the time it takes to apply and remove the tape, discomfort when removing, and the lack of spontaneity when amorous.
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Think about using O-Rings. O-Rings are simple rubber gaskets available at most hardware stores. The major benefit of O-Rings is that they’re cheap and comfortable. [27] X Research source
- With O-Rings, shaft skin is drawn over the glans and fed through the ring. The skin then naturally pulls back, which creates tension as the ring is drawn back against the glans.
- This method requires more loose skin than many beginning restorers have, so it is a good option once you have already developed a certain amount of loose skin.
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Have patience . The process of regrowing your foreskin—whether manually or using a device—takes some getting used to and may require years of time commitment. [28] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source How long it takes to regain sensitivity may depend on how keratinized your glans is. [29] X Research source
- Though some people report initial gains, don't expect to see immediate results. Remember, the race goes not to the swift nor the strong, but to the person who endures to the end!
- If you really feel that a particular tugging method isn't working for you, try switching things up. You might find that a different manual tugging technique or a new device is more effective for your body.
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Don't hurt yourself. Tugging should not be painful or cause injuries of any kind, as long as it's done correctly. [30] X Research source
- Focus on only tugging the skin on your shaft. Listen to your body and stop if you notice any redness, rawness, or pain. [31] X Research source
- If you are experiencing pain, you may be tugging too much or tugging for too long. Be more gentle or cut back.
- Foreskin tugging devices may also damage your skin and your penis’ sensory nerves if used incorrectly. [32] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Start a digital photo diary . While it sounds like a strange idea, it might help you track your progress over time. [33] X Research source
- Because the process is so long, you won't notice gradual changes over months of work. But pulling up an image from last year can surprise you.
- Get extreme close-ups (your penis should fill the frame) from the front and each side. Use the same location and lighting conditions every time.
- Take one set of pictures a month and remember to date the photos. Store them on a computer and password-protect their location.
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If time is an issue, you can look into surgical options. If tugging methods seem like they will take too long or require too much of a commitment, you could consider surgical restoration. [34] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Surgical foreskin restoration works by grafting skin from the scrotum or an area with similar tissue onto the end of the shaft. This new foreskin often looks different from the original skin in color and texture. [35] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Surgical restoration usually takes fewer than two hours. [36] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source However, the procedure can be costly, it remains outside of mainstream medicine, and few doctors will do it. [37] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
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Tips
- Every person and every circumcision is different, from body types to the amount of skin removed. Choose the method that's right for you. This may require experimenting with several different methods and even changing methods as you progress.Thanks
- Think about joining a discussion group—either in person or online—to meet other people who have already restored or intend to restore their foreskin.Thanks
- Become an "Intactivist." Join a group to help end routine infant circumcision.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- If you do have any pain, try taking painkillers or NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) and try not to touch your penis too much.
- Keep in mind that if you do regrow foreskin, it probably won't restore your sensitivity.
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Warnings
- Putting too much pressure on the skin will damage it, possibly permanently. [38] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source The principle here is slow, steady, gently applied tension.Thanks
- Your restored or "new" foreskin won't be exactly the same as the original.Thanks
- This article should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice and care. Be sure to visit your doctor regularly for checkups and seek the advice of a qualified medical professional for more information on this or any medical issue.Thanks
- Many myths and negative connotations abound about foreskin, especially in the United States, where having one is still rare. Your partner may need a little convincing that this is the right choice. While the opinion of your partner is important, remember that it's your choice.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/25139-foreskin-restoration
- ↑ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41443-019-0223-y
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3255154/
- ↑ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41443-019-0223-y
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26724395/
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/25139-foreskin-restoration
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/25139-foreskin-restoration
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/25139-foreskin-restoration#risks-benefits
- ↑ https://www.restoringforeskin.org/beginners-guide-foreskin-restoration
- ↑ http://www.restoringforeskin.org/beginners-guide-foreskin-restoration
- ↑ http://www.restoringforeskin.org/beginners-guide-foreskin-restoration
- ↑ http://www.restoringforeskin.org/beginners-guide-foreskin-restoration
- ↑ https://www.restoringforeskin.org/public/manual-tugging-method-2
- ↑ https://www.restoringforeskin.org/public/manual-tugging-method-2
- ↑ https://www.restoringforeskin.org/public/manual-tugging-method-2
- ↑ http://www.restoringforeskin.org/public/manual-tugging/method-2
- ↑ http://www.restoringforeskin.org/beginners-guide-foreskin-restoration
- ↑ http://www.restoringforeskin.org/beginners-guide-foreskin-restoration
- ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/369655000_Foreskin_restorers_insights_into_motivations_successes_challenges_and_experiences_with_medical_and_mental_health_professionals_-_An_abridged_summary_of_key_findings
- ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/figure/A-depiction-of-the-TLC-tugger-and-additional-strapping-to-the-upper-leg-38_fig3_350881409
- ↑ https://www.restoringforeskin.org/glossary/cat-ii-q
- ↑ https://www.restoringforeskin.org/glossary/dtr
- ↑ https://www.restoringforeskin.org/glossary/myskinclamp
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3255154/
- ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/369655000_Foreskin_restorers_insights_into_motivations_successes_challenges_and_experiences_with_medical_and_mental_health_professionals_-_An_abridged_summary_of_key_findings
- ↑ https://www.restoringforeskin.org/public/restoring-t-tape-graphic-guide
- ↑ https://foreskinrestore.com/o-rings/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3255154/
- ↑ https://www.restoringforeskin.org/beginners-guide-foreskin-restoration
- ↑ https://www.restoringforeskin.org/beginners-guide-foreskin-restoration
- ↑ https://www.restoringforeskin.org/beginners-guide-foreskin-restoration
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/25139-foreskin-restoration
- ↑ https://foreskinrestore.com/
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/25139-foreskin-restoration
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3255154/
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/25139-foreskin-restoration
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3255154/
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/25139-foreskin-restoration
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To regrow your foreskin, tug it manually for 15 minutes 3 times a day, such as when you shower or during a bathroom break, which will stretch out the skin over time. For a basic tugging method, make the “ok” symbol with your thumb and index finger on both hands. Then, place 1 hand around the base of your penis and the other around the glands, and pull the skin in opposite directions. Alternatively, you could purchase a TLC Tugger or TLC X device, which are devices that will stretch the skin for you throughout the day. You can also use T-tape for a cheaper option, which is medical tape formed into a T shape. Remember that whatever method you use, regrowing your foreskin is a long-term process that can take several years. For tips on how to decide whether regrowing your foreskin is right for you, keep reading!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I wanted my foreskin back as a more natural look. I started using the manual technique about 30 minutes a day in the shower for a good year or so and I have seen positive results." ..." more
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"I wanted my foreskin back as a more natural look. I started using the manual technique about 30 minutes a day in the shower for a good year or so and I have seen positive results."
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"I really hate that I was circumcised as a baby! Now that I'm older, I see that it really should be up to the child. You have to think, every single man was born with foreskin. From my research into this subject, I found that if you were circumcised you were considered mutilated. Now having ready this wonderful information I can say that I'm going to no longer be mutilated! Yes it will take time, but I'm a pretty patient person! "
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"Im glad an issue like this that pretty much requires visual representations is able to be shown on wikiHow. This information being as accessible as this article makes it is vital, because the sooner people find out options for restoration exist, the sooner that sense of dread can go away. I'll probably come back to this article in the future."
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"I've been using the Stealth Retainer system over the last to help restore my foreskin. Ive tried a few others over the last couple of years. A little pricey but the best Ive found & seems to work well. Foreskin now covers 2/3 of the glans when at rest."
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"It's a great article and I reflect on it often. I have been following these steps for almost 3.5 years now. I use the tugging and the plastic medicine cup method. I have gone from no foreskin to now being able to completely cover the glans. Thanks."
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