2-minute guide

Have you noticed less sensitivity in your glans? This happens to many circumcised men. Without the foreskin, the glans stays exposed to air and clothing. This dries it out and builds a thick layer of skin, called keratin, which lowers sensitivity. It’s not how your body was meant to work.
 

The good news? You can fix this with non-surgical foreskin restoration. This means growing back your foreskin to cover the glans again, keeping it moist and sensitive.
 

How does it work? You gently stretch the remaining foreskin around the glans consistently every day, both the inner mucosa skin and the outer shaft skin. Over time, this encourages new skin cells to grow—kind of like how skin stretches during pregnancy. It’s a slow process that can take 2 years or more. Many men feel a big difference in sensitivity after a month.
 

The simplest way to do this is with a foreskin restoration device. These tools put light tension on the skin to help it grow. There are lots of options, so you can pick one that feels right for you. Thousands of men worldwide have restored their foreskin and report that it has enhanced their sensitivity, orgasms, and erections. You can regain 70–90% of your original sensitivity.
 

To get started, here are some practical steps:

1. Find out how much foreskin you have right now (check your CI-index, or Coverage Index). You can use this chart on this website (warning: adult (18+) NSFW content): https://foreskinrestoration.men/foreskin-restoration-coverage-index/ 
   Men undergoing foreskin restoration can chart their progress using the coverage index.

2. Choose a suitable foreskin restoration device. The best device is one you can wear for long periods (2-6 hours/day with regular breaks) without discomfort, as restoration takes time, patience, and commitment. Check out TUG24's updated list of foreskin restoration devices on the market here.
    

It’s safe if you’re careful—stop if it hurts, and don’t wear the device while sleeping. Want to know more? Check out the FAQ below for extra details!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Foreskin Restoration?

Non-surgical oreskin restoration is the process of gradually regrowing both the inner foreskin (the pink skin just under the glans) and the outer shaft skin, so that the new skin can eventually cover the head of the penis again. An important part of this process is the scar line, which is where the inner and outer foreskin meet.
 

On a natural, intact penis, the end of the foreskin is exactly where the inner and outer layers join together. When restoring, the goal is to copy this natural arrangement by growing the inner and outer foreskin in the right balance. This way, the scar line will end up at the tip of your new foreskin, making the result look and feel as natural as possible.

Non-surgical foreskin restoration is based on the principle of tissue expansion. By applying gentle, consistent tension to the remaining mucosal (inner) and outer (epidermis and dermis) foreskin, the tissue is stimulated to grow new cells through mitosis. Over time, this process leads to the formation of additional skin that can cover the glans, creating a foreskin. Medical literature confirms that when skin is stretched for a long time, it encourages cells to grow and leads to lasting skin expansion. This process, known as tissue expansion, happens naturally in many everyday situations. For example, during pregnancy, the skin on a woman’s belly stretches gradually over several months, and the body responds by creating more skin to accommodate the growing baby. When you tug on the skin, you're signaling to the body: “We need more skin here,” and the body responds by producing it.

Tens of thousands of men in the United States—and around 100,000 men worldwide—are currently practicing foreskin restoration, a process that dates back to the first century AD (around 64 AD). The methods for restoring the foreskin are simple and as individual as each man. There are at least 20 devices, both commercial and do-it-yourself, that can help you slowly stretch the remaining foreskin to cover the glans. Your job is to find the one you’ll use most consistently.

Q: Why restore? What are the benefits?
A: Male Circumcision leads to a bad sex life. The foreskin serves an important purpose for men; it protects the head of the penis, keeping it moist, sensitive, and shielded from constant friction. When the foreskin is removed, the head gradually loses sensitivity, which often leads to reduced sexual pleasure and weaker orgasms. Many circumcised men find they need stronger or more intense stimulation to feel satisfied. Research shows that circumcised men are 3–4.5 times more likely to experience erectile dysfunction compared to those who are not circumcised. Circumcision also affects a partner’s experience. Women with circumcised partners are more likely to have pain during sex, vaginal dryness, and difficulty reaching orgasm. This is because the natural movement of the foreskin helps with lubrication and mutual stimulation during intercourse. Masturbation can become less satisfying after circumcision as well, since the loss of natural lubrication means many men have to rely on artificial lubricants, which often feel less natural or enjoyable.

Non-surgical foreskin restoration exists for exactly these reasons: to increase sensitivity, lower the risk of erectile dysfunction, achieve stronger orgasms, make sex more comfortable for your partner, and reduce the need for lubricants.

Q: What about the nerves I lost?

As you grow new skin through restoration, new nerves and receptors also grow. This is the same process that happens during any tissue growth. For example, people who gain more skin in pregnancy or obesity don’t report numbness or reduced sensitivity. Men who were circumcised as adults and later chose to restore their foreskin using devices or manual tugging often report regaining around 70–90% of their original sensitivity.

All new skin you grow becomes fully innervated and is very similar to the skin it grows from, including both inner and outer foreskin remnants. As the skin expands, nerves grow and branch out, forming new endings to cover the larger surface. These new nerve endings can be as sensitive as the original ones. The existing nerves in your inner skin remnant will grow new branches that maintain the same level of sensitivity.

So, can you grow new nerve endings? Yes. Can you grow the same amount as an intact foreskin? No. But this doesn’t matter as much as you might think. While expanding the inner mucosa is helpful, the main benefits of restoration come from protecting the glans and restoring the natural gliding motion of the skin. Having the glans covered with a foreskin will protect it from drying out and will lead to dekeratinization—making it smoother, shinier, tackier, and up to 90% more sensitive. Once the glans and inner foreskin are protected from constant overstimulation and drying caused by air and clothing, it’s possible to regain almost all the lost sensation.

Q: Will foreskin restoration make my penis shorter or longer?

Restoring doesn’t necessarily increase the actual length of your penis, but the added skin creates an extra layer around the shaft, adding some bulk. It can also lead to firmer and more complete erections, especially if you had a tight circumcision where too much skin was removed.

If you were circumcised tightly, the surrounding pubic skin and the top of the scrotum may be pulled upward during an erection, making the penis appear shorter than it really is. There are many ways to tell if you were tightly circumcised, but generally, if the base of your penis lifts during an erection or the shaft skin feels overly stretched, it’s a sign of a tight circumcision.

Q: How long will it take?
A: It varies depending on several factors, including how much skin remains, your personal restoration goals, and how consistent you are with your routine. Some men aim for full coverage when flaccid, others want their foreskin long enough to cover the glans even when erect, while some are satisfied with coverage that only shows the urinary opening when flaccid. Restoration is generally a multi-year process, but most men notice a significant improvement in sensitivity within just a few months, which encourages them to keep going.

Q: How old do I need to be in order to restore my foreskin?

A: According to medical experts at Doctors Against Circumcision: there’s no reason why a young person can’t restore their foreskin. Human skin reacts to tension by growing, cell by cell. This process isn’t related to hormones and doesn’t affect other growth or development aspects. Age isn’t a limiting factor.

The main challenge for adolescents is the discipline required—it takes a lot of motivation and commitment.

Q: What happens when I stop tugging?

A: There are two things that happen when we either use a foreskin restoration device or tug using manual methods (using our fingers to put tension on the skin): stretching and growth.
 

At the beginning, your skin stretches like a rubber band. When you stop tugging, most of the stretch goes back to normal. But some of the stretch stays for a few hours or even days. This happens because your skin has special fibers inside, called collagen and elastin. These fibers make the skin strong and stretchy.

Over time, tension we apply to the skin signals your body to start growing more skin – we call this term mitosis – and that causes the surface area of the skin to increase permanently.

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Q: Do I need to buy a device?
A: No, many men restore their foreskin using only manual methods, and it’s possible to make progress that way. However, Tug520 doesn’t usually recommend manual methods, especially for beginners.
 

When you use your fingers, it’s harder to know exactly how much tension you’re using. In rare cases, if you pull too hard, it can lead to a small bruise on the skin. It’s harmless, but you’ll need to take a break until it disappears after a week.

Using a foreskin restoration device helps you apply the right amount of tension in a steady and controlled way. It also reduces the risk of overstretching and makes the process easier to keep up with.

Manual methods can also be more tiring — stretching by hand several times a day takes more energy and effort than using a device.

Q: Which method is best?

A: The best method for foreskin restoration depends on what works well for you. Some of the most popular options include inflation devices, dual tension devices, manual tugging with your hands, and T-tape. Each method has its own advantages, and you can learn more about them on the Methods & Devices page at the r/foreskin_restoration forum at reddit. Many restorers use a combination of methods throughout their journey. The most effective method is the one you feel comfortable with, that gives you results, and that you can stick to over time.

Q: What's this thing called dekeratinization?

A: Most circumcised men experience reduced sensitivity in the glans and inner foreskin. In response, many experiment with applying moisturizers or using products that cover the glans—like the Manhood Restorer—in an effort to regain sensation by keeping the area protected.
 

However, many soon realize these are only temporary fixes. As soon as they stop moisturizing or forget to use the device, the glans quickly dries out and loses sensitivity again. That’s why more and more men turn to a long-term, natural solution: foreskin restoration. By gradually regrowing coverage, they allow the glans to stay protected full-time—just like it is for roughly 75% of men worldwide, whose glans remain naturally covered by the foreskin.
 

Dekeratinization is the process where the glans (head of the penis) becomes more sensitive, softer, and smoother after being consistently protected. This usually happens when the glans is covered for extended periods—either with a foreskin or a retainer.

Dekeratinization is the main goal for most men who restore their foreskin.
 

This transformation happens because the glans and inner foreskin are not regular skin—they're mucosa, like the inside of your mouth. Mucosal tissue is meant to stay moist and protected. When it's exposed to friction, air, and dryness—as it often is after circumcision—the body responds by building up a keratin layer to shield it. While protective, this layer also dulls sensation.

When the area is kept covered and moist again, the keratin layer naturally fades away. This is dekeratinization. The surface becomes softer, smoother, shinier, slightly tacky to the touch, and most importantly—more responsive to touch. Many men notice this transformation surprisingly quickly, often within just a few weeks of consistent coverage.

Q: Is foreskin restoration safe?

A: Yes, foreskin restoration is safe—as long as you use common sense. Always take a break if you feel any pain, and never use a restoration device while sleeping. Pain is your body’s way of signaling that something isn’t right. Stop your routine and try to identify the cause of the discomfort. It could be due to incorrect use of the device, applying too much tension before your skin is ready for it, or not using tape (such as 3M Blenderm) to cover the urethra when inflating with an air device.

If you're unsure, you can always ask for advice from over 50,000 restorers at reddit.com/r/foreskin_restoration/
According to Doctors Against Circumcision: “Restoration, a safe and proven technique, does not require medical monitoring; however, a restorer may seek medical reassurance.”


 

The following quotes are from the book Sex As Nature Intended It by Kristen and Jeffrey O’Hara, published in 2021 by Turning Point Publications. Each story reflects a unique personal journey and the transformative impact foreskin restoration can have on sensation, confidence, and intimate relationships.
 

“I was deprived of my foreskin when I was 26. I had ample experience and was happy with the pleasure I could experience as an intact male. After my circumcision, that pleasure was utterly gone. Let me put it this way: On a scale of 10, the intact penis experiences pleasure that is at least 11 or 12; the circumcised penis is lucky to get to 3. If American men who were circumcised at birth could know the deprivation of pleasure that they would experience, they would storm the hospitals and not permit their sons to undergo this unnecessary loss.”

 

“[As a result of being circumcised] I experienced continuous decline in sensitivity and sexual pleasure to the point of not being able to orgasm within a period of time comfortable for my wife. Fortunately, all this has been reversed by my foreskin recovery. I again have the sexual performance of a teenager.”

 

“I have been restoring for two years. Coverage is wonderful and the sensations of my foreskin moving back and forth over my more sensitive head are great. No more tight, often sore, erections, no more dried out glans, and artificial lubrication is no longer needed... My wife enjoys sex much more, too, and we owe it all to foreskin restoration. For the first time in my life I feel like a whole man.”

 

These testimonials are just a small sample of the many experiences shared by men around the world. For hundreds of additional personal stories and ongoing discussions, visit the community at r/foreskin_restoration.