Moisturize your circumcised dick?

[breathe]

Should guys who are circumcised moisturize their dick?

I want to maintain as much sensitivity in my glans as possible.

Thanks!

 

[Corny]

I am no expert, so I am not sure if the keratinization of the glans is comparable to the rest of the skin. But if so, in theory, the process is somewhat reversible. I imagine this to be difficult on the glans though ..

 

[Hello-Good-Bi]

I moisturize it at least twice a day!

But seriously, its an interesting question.

 

[breathe]

Meh I don't wanna wear anything on my dick all day... that's a bit ridiculous.

I wonder of silicon lube stains clothes? A bit of that seems to always help a LOT.

 

[onetwothreefour]

I have this exact same question. There is a skin-care guru I respect named Paula Begoun (paulaschoice.com) who has a weekly online radio show, and I have been waiting to ask this question for an upcoming show she has on people's most embarrassing questions. As soon as I heard of the show topic, I wrote out my e-mail to her, which I need to find some way to send her anonymously, so I haven't sent it yet. Anyhow, my main question I want answered is that since the glans penis is mucocutaneous tissue rather than regular skin is it safe to apply topical moisturizers? The products I use from her line (for my face and neck) contain a number of active ingredients that really do actually change the quality of your skin, and even at 28 my penis' head doesn't look young anymore, and I would love to use those same products to make it look better and healthier. I was aware of the issues of circumcision at a young age, like 14 or so, because of the Internet and when I was still in high school I went to a urologist to specifically ask about both restoration and the use of moisturizer. He laughed at both questions and told me that my girlfriend must have set me up to ask him this (he was wrong on both counts and very unprofessional). His only advice was that if I was going to waste money on a moisturizer for my penis to use something cheap, and he was not helpful at all in answering my question about whether it was safe or not. I am a very cautious person, and I did not want to attempt restoring (with weights, etc) or moisturizer without a doctor's approval.

To answer your question OP, yes I think it is a good idea to help maintain the barrier protection of the glans penis with moisturizer--after all it was meant to be an internal organ. It obviously seems sensible to me, as it was my first thought when I learned about keritinization when I was 14 many years ago! My only concern as a hypochondriac is that with the more advanced moisturizers I would be interested in using to improve the health and appearance of the glans is whether they are more readily absorbed into the bloodstream given the nature of the glans tissue.

 

[onetwothreefour]

You know, I gotta say that I don't moisturize my (cut) dick.

Never really considered, since I haven't had any issues with dryness or sensitivity.

If daily moisturizing makes you think everything is feeling better/more intense down there for you...then yeah, go for it.

But I highly doubt any moisturizer is going to have a actual long-term protective effect over your glans' sensitivity. The more important thing is to shower thoroughly every day, with basic soap, and get all dirt/grime/buildup/etc. out of there. That's what's gonna keep everything healthy and sensitive.

Oh, and any claims you hear about the effects a moisturizer or other skin care product...if they're not coming from an actual doctor, you can rest assured the product is snake oil (and sometimes even doctors sell out and make shit up - there's lots of B.S. in the skin care industry.).

I know that most of the products out there have claims that are wildly false. But if you look into what Paula Begoun writes, she writes that exact same sentiment. She takes the cosmetics industry to task for making false claims all the time. It's kind of her shtick. She doesn't claim any of her products eliminate wrinkles etc. But there are products which make skin look and feel better, and there is published research showing that they help.

As far as soap, I do use it, as I am a hypochondriac, but from what I know about skin care, I don't think is the end-all product for maintaining healthy skin. Detergent based cleansers are gentler.

And as far as trusting dermatologists, I have heard so many folk-wisdom stories from doctors, I won't even go there, but I will say that dermatologists are not trained in skin care at all. They are trained to diagnose and treat skin diseases. So they don't study the effects that antioxidants have on skin for example. Or look at how over the counter salicylic acid products can help build up collagen. They may have wisdom on skin care, but it doesn't come from their years in medical school, it would be whatever they happen to know like the rest of us.

I agree with you overall that much of the skin care industry is BS. I have no interest in pushing Paula's products, but if you look at some of what she writes, I think you'll find you agree with her. She is very harsh on the cosmetics industry herself.

 

[onetwothreefour]

And that's precisely what I'd need to see. As charismatic and convincing as Paula might be, the research is the first thing I'd have to look at. And if it all checks out, then yes, I'd consider her assertions to hold some weight to them.

By any chance, do you know where any of this research can be found?

I will admit to not having read any of the research, but for each product she sells, she has citations at the bottom of the page indicating the research which back up her claims. She has an ingredient dictionary on her page too where you can look up any skin care ingredient and read what its potential benefits or detriments are and where they source that information from. She talks a lot about the journals she subscribes to and research she does in order to both formulate her products and review others. She'll say for example that peer-reviewed published research says that lavender and other essential oils like it cause cell death. When she says something like that, have I ever looked it up to fact check her? No, but she is basing a big business on making these claims, and presumably someone could call her on it. Her site is paulaschoice.com. Under the learn section, you can go to the ingredient dictionary. And you can click on any of her products to see the research she uses to back up her claims. You will notice she uses much less hyperbolic claims than most companies. I'm not out to say she's the end-all, be-all, but having read her books and followed her radio show and read her articles for a long time, I do believe her when she says she reads real peer-reviewed research in order to come to her conclusions. I realize I am not making the strongest case here, and I agree that you should be skeptical. My mind is too foggy today to go out and think about a better way to respond, which I know is a weak defense Look for yourself and decide. Like I said, I really don't care too much, which I know is also a weak defense. I'm happy with her products and her advice. I know she would applaud your skepticism!

 

[ReluctantDaddy]

A little high quality lube is all it takes for me to feel super sensitive again.... lost that flap of skin almost 45 years ago

 

[Nomenclature]

A little high quality lube is all it takes for me to feel super sensitive again....(

Yeah, it is amazing how sensitive it gets as soon as the head gets wet again, ain't it?


Though it might get messy, you could always try whacking off with vitamin E or 100% pure aloe vera gel, since those are all great natural, all-purpose moisturizers that should be relatively safe for use just about anywhere. Beyond that, I really don't know what to say; cut guys usually use some form of moisturizer when they fap, anyway. . .and they rub it in for 5-15 minutes, so it's doing its job. :lol"

 

[breathe]

Ah well... as long as I'm using lube for the actual sex act I'm happy. Otherwise it's just too much work. I was just curious though. I appreciate the responses!!!

 

[paatreides]

OK - just saw this post and I apologize for coming to the party late, but I have to set some things straight.

The senslip - great concept, don't use them long-term. Because these are manmade material that do not "breathe" you can actually damage the derma.

Yes, cut guys can restore and maintain sensitivity. Each day as you finish showering, pat dry with a towel and apply Vitamin E oil to the glans and as far down the shaft as the "scar tissue" (that portion of the foreskin which is still attached). Do this every day and you will restore the softness and sensitivity within several weeks. Keep doing it every day and you will maintain it.