A restoration device is a device used for applying tension to skin during the process of non-surgical foreskin restoration. Those who use such a device employ the use of

tissue expansion Tissue expansion is a technique used by plastic, maxillofacial and reconstructive surgeons to cause the body to grow additional skin, bone, or other tissues. Other biological phenomena such as tissue inflammation can also be considered expansion ( ...

, which causes new skin to grow. Not all people who are restoring use a dedicated device, some use self-adhesive bandages, silicone

o-rings An O-ring, also known as a packing or a toric joint, is a mechanical gasket in the shape of a torus; it is a loop of elastomer with a round cross-section, designed to be seated in a groove and compressed during assembly between two or more part ...

, or exclusively stimulate growth by hand.

History

Until the 2nd century CE, the ''Pondus Judaeus'' was used among some circumcised males. It was a replacement for more painful techniques known at the time. This device was a bronze sheath used to expand the foreskin, which at the time was not fully excised. Its effectiveness became limited after circumcisions were modified to eliminate its use (Tushmet 1965). During the late 20th century and early 21st century, new techniques were developed to suit the needs of men circumcised by physicians in North America. These circumcisions often left little movable skin on the penile shaft, and this was taken into consideration by developers of restoration techniques. Some devices have been designed to require little skin to be usable. During the 1990s, the process of foreskin restoration employed

adhesive tape Adhesive tape is one of many varieties of backing materials coated with an adhesive. Several types of adhesives can be used. Types Pressure-sensitive tape Pressure-sensitive tape, PSA tape, self-stick tape or sticky tape consists of a pre ...

, such as tapes used in hospitals or for athletics, to pull skin forward or attach weights and pulling devices to provide tension.

Function

The following steps describe the application of a typical tapeless device: * a device, such as

cone In geometry, a cone is a three-dimensional figure that tapers smoothly from a flat base (typically a circle) to a point not contained in the base, called the '' apex'' or '' vertex''. A cone is formed by a set of line segments, half-lines ...

plastic Plastics are a wide range of synthetic polymers, synthetic or Semisynthesis, semisynthetic materials composed primarily of Polymer, polymers. Their defining characteristic, Plasticity (physics), plasticity, allows them to be Injection moulding ...

shell, is placed over the

glans The glans (, : glandes ; from the Latin word for "acorn") is a vascular structure located at the tip of the penis in male mammals or a homologous genital structure of the clitoris in female mammals. Structure The exterior structure of the g ...

* skin is then pulled onto the device * the skin is covered with a flexible gripping cap * tension is applied by pulling the device The following steps describe the application of a typical device in which tape is needed: * a device, such as a cone, bell or shell, is placed over the glans * skin is pulled onto the device * then tape is applied to keep the skin in place * the device is then pulled using a

rubber band A rubber band (also known as an elastic, gum band or lacky band) is a loop of rubber, usually ring or oval shaped, and commonly used to hold multiple objects together. The rubber band was patented in England on March 17, 1845, by Stephen Perry ...

or has a

weight In science and engineering, the weight of an object is a quantity associated with the gravitational force exerted on the object by other objects in its environment, although there is some variation and debate as to the exact definition. Some sta ...

with it to apply tension .

Modern devices

Older methods have been partially replaced by the use of various

silicone In Organosilicon chemistry, organosilicon and polymer chemistry, a silicone or polysiloxane is a polymer composed of repeating units of siloxane (, where R = Organyl group, organic group). They are typically colorless oils or elastomer, rubber ...

components. The entire design and function of the “modern” devices was first described in the 2003 Foreskin Restoration Device patent by the inventor of the Tug Ahoy. Many new devices grip the skin, usually without the use of tape. Some devices are homemade, often designed by men whose skin is easily irritated by adhesive tapes. There are several different varieties of tapeless restoration devices commercially available. Some silicone devices have an opening for a one-way air valve and a hand pump for inflating the foreskin. This expands the foreskin from within, creating skin tension and growth. Foreskin restoration device

Most devices are equipped with an

elastic Elastic is a word often used to describe or identify certain types of elastomer, Elastic (notion), elastic used in garments or stretch fabric, stretchable fabrics. Elastic may also refer to: Alternative name * Rubber band, ring-shaped band of rub ...

band or some type of tension adjustment to pull the skin away from the glans. As the tension is applied, the natural process of

mitosis Mitosis () is a part of the cell cycle in eukaryote, eukaryotic cells in which replicated chromosomes are separated into two new Cell nucleus, nuclei. Cell division by mitosis is an equational division which gives rise to genetically identic ...

is stimulated. Some restoration devices are more comfortable or more effective than others. In some cases where there is too little skin to pull onto the gripping surface, pressure must be applied to the glans when applying the device. Most devices and weights are easily washed and can be reused each day.

Retainer

The function of a foreskin retainer is to keep the

glans penis In male human anatomy, the glans penis or penile glans, commonly referred to as the glans, (; from Latin ''glans'' meaning "acorn") is the bulbous structure at the Anatomical terms of location#Proximal and distal, distal end of the human penis ...

covered by the available foreskin. A foreskin retainer can be used when newly grown foreskin is neither long enough nor tight enough to keep the glans covered itself, but is long enough that it can be stretched past the glans (which is necessary to facilitate the use of a retainer).

Rubber bands A rubber band (also known as an elastic, gum band or lacky band) is a loop of rubber, usually ring or oval shaped, and commonly used to hold multiple objects together. The rubber band was patented in England on March 17, 1845, by Stephen Perry ...

, Band-Aids, and cones with both ends open can be used as retainers. The foreskin can also be retained with a medical adhesive, known as MRS. MRS is a silicone based skin safe adhesive. MRS originally stood for Miracle Restoration Spray, but is now available in a brushable form. A small amount of adhesive is applied to the glans, and the skin is rolled up and retained by the MRS. MRS sets up almost instantly, but the skin can still be pulled back if necessary.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Restoration Device Circumcision Male genital modification

History

Function

Modern devices

Retainer

See also

References