non-surgical

Foreskin

Restoration

As the protective, mechanical and sensory roles of the foreskin become recognized and better understood, a growing number of circumcised men are becoming interested in the possibility of  “restoring their foreskin” through a non-surgical process of skin expansion and skin development by means of simple self-applied methods.

This page is being revised. Many of the links below are outdated and are in the process of being updated.  Thanks for your understanding. Please send us your suggestions for new additions.

Definitions and basic principles

The term foreskin restoration does not refer to the restoration of the original foreskin. It is not possible to recreate the tissue that was removed at circumcision. What is possible, however, is to expand and develop the remaining shaft skin forward, so as to restore to the penis a retractable hood of skin over the glans that will resemble a natural foreskin (albeit not 100%), will cover and protect the glans, and will provide the mechanical gliding action of a foreskin. This skin is referred to as the restored foreskin.

Non-surgical foreskin restoration is based on TWO fundamental and well-documented dermatological principles, to which the skin of the penis is no exception:

1. Skin is an adaptable tissue, capable of expansion and development over time, if moderate tension is applied to it regularly, over several hours at a time;
   
   
2. In the course of this gradual and progressive expansion process, the total number of skin cells increases, resulting in a net gain in skin, and not merely a thinning-out.

The most common example of these two basic principles at work is that of a person who gains weight: their skin increases in surface area, without becoming thinner.

It is interesting to note that foreskin restoration has a history dating back millenia, and is even mentioned in the Old Testament. However, the non-surgical methods using gradual stretching techniques have been greatly improved in approximately the last decade.
 

Simple, self-applied methods

Non-surgical foreskin restoration methods are self-applied. Each person is entirely responsible for his own skin expansion process. These methods are safe, as long as the person respects their parameters, which are well established and well documented. A good analogy would be the case of someone who takes up weight-training to develop their muscles (another instance of adaptable tissue, capable of development); they too would be entirely responsible for their own development process and would be advised to keep to the established parameters of safe weight-training, so as not to cause themselves harm.

This process does not require the participation of a physician. However, should a man prefer to consult a physician and to be followed on a regular basis as he restores, the Centre can refer him to medical professionals who are knowledgeable about these methods.

Informing oneself regarding foreskin restoration is not costly. Neither are the materials used to restore; for most of the methods, medical tape is all that is needed.

« Skin can’t be forced; it can be persuaded. »
 

How long does it take?

The time required to “complete” this process varies. The process is completed when the person is satisfied with the amount of skin he has developed. One’s objective (the amount of development desired) may change along the way, as well as the choice of method used. One should count on a time-frame of 1 to 3 years to cover the glans completely.

THREE FACTORS PLAY A ROLE:

1. The objective itself. Someone who wishes to re-cover his glans completely will need to practice restoration longer than someone who wishes to re-cover his glans partially, or someone who just wants to develop a bit more play in the shaft skin (if, for instance, he experiences uncomfortable or painful erections due to having been circumcised tightly –a lot of skin having been removed);
   
   
2. The available shaft skin. As the amount of skin removed at circumcision varies from one individual to another, the amount of remaining available shaft skin also varies, and is a factor in the length of time required to reach one’s objective.
   
   
3. Regularity. Progress in skin expansion is proportional to the regularity with which one applies a method on oneself, as well as the duration of the application (hours per day).

Skin expansion should be practiced reasonably, and should not be forced. The skin will resist development if more than moderate, comfortable tension is applied to it.

Foreskin restoration is nearly as old as circumcision itself. For an account of the last two thousand years of history of foreskin restoration, read this article which appeared in the medical journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

        Books

The most comprehensive and scholarly work dealing with the history and methodology of foreskin restoration, as well as the practice of routine infant circumcision, is entitled The Joy of Uncircumcising! Exploring Circumcision: History, Myths, Psychology, Restoration, Sexual Pleasure and Human Rights* by psychologist Jim Bigelow, Ph.D. Since its publication, this book has been reviewed by medical journals such as The Journal of The American Medical Association, The British Medical Journal, The British Journal of Urology, The Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Journal of Nurse-Midwifery and The Journal of Orgonomy. In addition, this title is included in the reference library of The Kinsey Institute, one of the principal institutes of sexology in the United States. It is available in Montreal at Chapters (formerly Coles Bookstore), at the corner of Ste-Catherine and Stanley (Peel metro), in the sexuality section, under the author’s name.

*The Joy of Uncircumcising! Exploring Circumcision:
History, Myths, Psychology, Restoration, Sexual Pleasure and Human Rights
Jim Bigelow, Ph.D.
2nd edition, 1995
Hourglass Publishing
242 pages, 387 notes, 269 references, 213 personal letters
ISBN 0-934061-22-X
$28.00

Web sites on the Internet

QBMan's Pro-Foreskin Site

An extensive and expanding site.

Chymmylt’s Restoration Diary

Commentaries and photos.

Foreskin Restoration Images

Photos before, during and after restoration.

Pictures of Paul Russo’s restoration

Excellent diary including photos of one man’s restoration progress.

NORM, Toronto, Ontario, Canada chapter

One of the newest chapters. This attractive site has an excellent anatomy section

NORM, Southern California chapter.

Recently honored by the city of Los Angeles and the state of California for service to the community.

NORM, Portland, Oregon chapter

Includes several moving personal accounts.

Circumcision/Foreskin Restoration Resource Page

A collection of resources – mostly other links – on the subjects of male circumcision and non-surgical foreskin restoration.

T-Tape Picture Book Download Site

The T-Tape Picture Book shows, using text and graphics, how to construct and use T-Tapes for foreskin restoration.

The Foreskin Restoration Resource

Another well-written diary with photographs.

Danny Cook’s Restoration Diary

Includes photos.

Grant’s Foreskin Restoration Site

Includes “The Three Secrets That Circumcised Men Don’t Know”

QB Man’s Foreskin Restoration Journal

Journal with photos.

Mark’s Foreskin Restoration Page

Personal diary and survey.

Rodrigo's Restoration Site

Excellent site in Brazil. Bilingual English and Portuguese, beautiful design.

Foreskin.org

Includes photo series of what a natural penis looks like, as well as extensive links to other resources.

Foreskin restoration support group

In Montreal, as in other cities across North America, a foreskin restoration support group meets regularly, once a month, to discuss technical and other aspects of non-surgical restoration. The group is comprised of men who have been involved in restoration for some time, as well as men who wish to inform themselves about this option. They are of varying ages and life experiences. Among the participants, most were circumcised in infancy, others in childhood or adulthood. The meetings provide a respectful and friendly context where the subject can be discussed and explored seriously.

The group has been in existence for over two years, and there are new people joining it regularly.

One group member was interviewed by Monique Dykstra of The Gazette (Montreal). Previously, several members had appeared on a segment of CTV's newsmagazine W5. Another has been keeping a journal (in French) of his restoration, complete with photos of his progress.

The Circumcision Information Resource Centre (Info-Circoncision) is affiliated with NOCIRC (National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers), which has centres throughout the U.S., as well as in Canada, Europe and Australia.

N.B. All information and resources provided by the Centre, including medical or medically referenced material, are intended strictly for information purposes only, and do not constitute, are not meant as, and should not be taken as medical advice or diagnosis. For medical advice, consult a physician.