Foreskin Restoration: Why Men Are Trying to Undo Their Circumcisions

Circumcision is the most common surgical procedure performed on newborn boys worldwide. In the United States alone, about 80 percent of men are circumcised.

While the American Academy of Pediatrics supports newborn circumcision for its health benefits — like reducing the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and even penile cancer — an increasing number of men are seeking ways to reverse the procedure later in life. Enter: foreskin restoration.

To learn more, we spoke with Michael S., a man actively in the process of restoring his foreskin. Why is he doing it? How effective is it? And would he recommend it to others?

Keep reading to find out more about Michael’s experience, the science behind foreskin restoration, and whether it might be for you.

Foreskin restoration is the process of recreating the look and some of the function of the foreskin (AKA prepuce) removed during circumcision.

While you can’t undo circumcision, restoration techniques — either non-surgical or surgical — can mimic a natural foreskin by loosening existing skin or grafting skin onto the penile shaft from elsewhere on the body.

Surprisingly, restoring foreskin isn’t a modern idea. Ancient Greeks and Romans valued a longer foreskin and worked to abolish ritual circumcision. Even the Bible and 16th-century medical texts mention foreskin restoration.

Surveys suggest that 5 to 10 percent of circumcised American men wish they hadn’t been circumcised, citing problems like:

• Tight erections

• Scarring

• Skin tone variance

• Feeling betrayed by their parents

• Decreased sensitivity

• Low self-esteem

Some of these men pursue foreskin restoration in an attempt to reclaim a sense of bodily autonomy or address physical, sexual, or psychological impacts they associate with circumcision.  They may also want to regain the benefits of the foreskin like:

• Glans protection

• Gliding function

• Increased lubrication

• Greater sexual pleasure

Michael S. tells us that he first heard about restoration from his now-husband. His reasons for pursuing it include achieving an “intact aesthetic” and the gliding function of a foreskin.

When asked how being circumcised negatively affected him, he says, “I never really thought about negative effects at the time when I experienced them.”

Looking back, he says that he now recognizes some of his problems — like a scar on the top of his penis from masturbation — were linked to being circumcised.

Foreskin restoration without surgery involves gradually stretching the remaining penile skin to recreate the look of a natural foreskin. This can be done using manual techniques or specialized devices.

One popular hands-free device is called Foreballs®, a set of weights that hang from the penile shaft to gently stretch the skin over time. Its inventor, Wayne Griffiths, claims his device stretched his penile skin by three-quarters of an inch.

Another option is the dual-tension restorer (DTR), which uses a cone-like shell and bidirectional pressure (like a Chinese finger trap) to stretch the skin.

Some devices, like the FIT, use inflation bulbs and silicone grippers to encourage stretching with air pressure.

Michael S. tells us that deciding which device to use can be overwhelming, especially knowing consistency is key for results. “When I got started, I would go months and not do anything because it takes a bit to work the process into a schedule and lifestyle,” he says. “So, between my family, work, and fitness life, I need as much hands-free time as possible. I focus now mostly on reliable devices that I can wear without using my hands.”

Surgical methods involve grafting skin from another area of the body to the genitals, creating a foreskin-like structure to cover the glans.

Emerging methods, like those from Foregen, focus on tissue regeneration. Using donor foreskin and regenerative medicine, these techniques aim to rebuild features like the frenulum, ridged band, and inner foreskin mucosa. However, these approaches are still experimental, and restoration surgery of any kind is expensive, with costs ranging from $3,000 to more than $10,000.

You can’t reverse a circumcision and achieve a truly restored foreskin.

Successful foreskin restoration involves stretching existing skin to mimic the look of a natural foreskin.

That’s why some people say foreskin restoration doesn’t actually work.

“I understand when people say it doesn't work,” says Michael S. “Foreskin restoration takes years. Some men have achieved extraordinary results but they have taken extraordinary measures to get there in very little time. It's easy to get discouraged, but with time and dedication, it will work.”

When asked why he’s been vocal about his own foreskin restoration journey on social media, Michael S. tells us, “I am vocal to share that self-determination and body autonomy is healthy, normal, and preferred. We, as adults, don't want other adults telling us what to do with our bodies. We certainly do not want medically unnecessary procedures without our consent.”

If you’re curious about foreskin restoration, remember:

• There are many reasons for seeking foreskin restoration. Many circumcised men pursue foreskin restoration to improve their sex lives or achieve a sense of bodily integrity.

• Circumcision can’t be reversed. The restoration process aims to recreate the appearance and functionality of the foreskin, but you can’t undo a circumcision.

• Non-surgical techniques require time and consistency. Non-surgical foreskin restoration involves stretching the remaining penile skin using weight or tension. While effective for some, the process demands significant time, consistency, and commitment. It often takes years to see noticeable results.

• Surgical and regenerative approaches are limited. Surgical methods use skin grafts to mimic the foreskin while emerging regenerative techniques aim to rebuild lost structures through tissue regeneration. However, foreskin restoration surgery costs can be high, and some methods are still experimental.

If you think you might benefit from foreskin restoration, it’s a good idea to seek medical advice from a healthcare provider. They can help you safely pursue your goals.