This is an archived chart. Some links may not work. Click here to see the latest chart.

Restoration Product Comparison - UPDATED 1/31/2009
The following is based on actual comparisons of various foreskin restoration methods and commercial devices. I have not included too many homemade devices, since each person may build them differently, and there are too many variations to list here. If you have a homemade device that is well-defined and fairly standardized, I would be happy to add it to the list.

Comparison Chart:
Color Key: Good Neutral Bad Usable w/minimal skin Some loose skin needed Moderate skin needed Glans coverage needed
Device/Method Restoration Rate Undesirable Tug Work & Activity Limits Ease of Use More Information
Retainers & Rings Inner
Tension		 Outer
Tension		 Scrotal Shaft Desk
Job		 Medium
Activity		 Heavy
Activity		 Night
Use		 Attach
Time		 Allows
Urinal		 Ease of
Urination		 Spontaneous
Sex		 Cost Click image
for details
O-Rings Gripping
Only		 Low Low Medium None OK OK OK Unsafe 1 min OK
w/removal		 OK
w/removal		 Easy to
remove		 $5 to
$20/set		 O-Ring
Multiple
O-Rings		 Gripping
Only		 Medium Medium Medium None OK OK OK Unsafe 2-15 min OK
w/removal		 OK
w/removal		 Easy to
remove		 $5 to
$20/set		 Multiple O-Rings
Cross Tape Tape Only Low Low Medium None OK OK OK OK 1 min Possible OK w/o
removal		 Some tape
residue		 ~$3 /
roll		 First aid or athletic tape
Tape Ring Tape Only
Your-Skin
Cone		 Gripping
Only		 Low Low Medium None OK OK OK OK 10 sec OK w/easy
removal		 Easy to
remove		 Easy to
remove		 $8 Your-Skin Cone
Expanding Devices / Tape Methods / Tube Methods
Foreskin
Natural
Restorer		 Tape/
Push Rod/
Weighted		 High Medium Medium None OK Unsafe Unsafe Unsafe 2 min Imperfect
pass-
through		 Imperfect
pass-
through		 Difficult $130* Foreskin Natural Restorer
Start
2 Finish		 Gripping/
Plastic		 Medium Low Medium None OK OK Unsafe Unsafe 30 sec OK
w/removal		 Easy to
remove		 Easy to
remove		 $155 Start2Finish
T-Tape Tape/
Elastic		 High** High** Medium Medium OK OK Limited
safety		 OK 5 min Requires
opening		 Requires
opening		 Difficult $0.05 -
$1/tape
+ strap		 T-Tape
Pre-made:  1 2 3
Canister or
Pill Tube		 Tape/Elas.
& Packing		 High w/
packing		 Medium Medium Low w/
packing		 OK OK Limited
safety		 Limited
circulation		 2 min OK with
uncapping		 OK with
uncapping		 Difficult ~$10* Canister or Pill Tube
Homemade: 1
Tapeless Devices
CAT II Q Gripping/
Push Rod		 High High w/
elas.strap		 Medium None OK Limited
comfort		 Unsafe Unsafe 2 min Easy to
remove		 Easy to
remove		 Easy to
remove		 $75 CAT II Q
DTR Gripping/
Push Rod		 High Medium Medium None OK Limited
comfort		 Unsafe Unsafe 1 min Easy to
remove		 Easy to
remove		 Easy to
remove		 $95 DTR
Pul-Man Gripping/
Plastic		 High High Medium Medium OK OK Limited
safety		 Limited
comfort		 30 sec OK
w/removal		 Easy to
remove		 Easy to
remove		 $100 Pul-Man
RECAP-EZ Gripping/
Elastic		 Medium High Low Medium Bulky Bulk/ltd.
comfort		 Bulk/ltd.
comfort		 Limited
comfort		 30 sec OK
w/removal		 Easy to
remove		 Easy to
remove		 $50 RECAP-EZ
TLC
Tugger		 Gripping/
Elastic		 High High Medium Medium OK OK Limited
safety		 Limited
comfort		 30 sec OK
w/removal		 Easy to
remove		 Easy to
remove		 $53 TLC
TLC-X Gripping/
Push/Elas.		 High High Medium Medium OK OK Limited
safety		 Limited
comfort		 30 sec OK
w/removal		 Easy to
remove		 Easy to
remove		 $80 TLC-X
Tug Ahoy Gripping/
Elastic		 High High Medium Medium OK OK Limited
safety		 Limited
comfort		 30 sec OK
w/removal		 Easy to
remove		 Easy to
remove		 $150 Tug Ahoy
DILE Insert Gripping/
Push Rod		 High High Medium Medium OK OK Limited
safety		 Limited
comfort		 30 sec OK
w/removal		 Easy to
remove		 Easy to
remove		 $115 DILE Insert
Weights (most effective when standing or walking)
ForeBalls Tape/
Weighted		 Medium Medium Medium Low OK OK Unsafe Unsafe 1 min OK
w/removal		 OK
w/removal		 Difficult w/
tape usage		 $130* Foreballs
PUD/S.P.
Socket		 Tape/
Weighted		 Medium Medium Medium Low OK OK Unsafe Unsafe 1 min Pass-
through		 Pass-
through		 Difficult $135 PUD
Homemade: 1
Coverage Aids
ManHood N/A N/A N/A None None OK OK OK OK 1 min OK
w/removal		 OK
w/removal		 OK
w/removal		 $12.50 ManHood
SenSlip N/A N/A N/A None None OK OK OK OK 1 min OK
w/removal		 OK
w/removal		 OK
w/removal		 $29 SenSlip
*   Some devices require additional daily costs for tape usage
** Properly applied T-Tape can distribute tension very effectively

Comparison Criteria:

Device/Method Type
The chart indicates the type of application to the skin and the method by which tension is applied to enable restoration. Each device/method is unique and has an appropriate range of safety and productivity for a given person. There is also a learning curve for effective and comfortable use. Some devices have design characteristics not compared in the chart, such as frenulum-friendliness, a bendable strut for comfort adjustment, or stainless-steel construction.

Having more than one type of device can be helpful for the restoration process, based on the activities planned each day, regardless whether you plan to build or buy the equipment. The amount of foreskin needed to apply a particular device is color coded in the chart. This refers to the amount of foreskin (in the flaccid, non-retracted state) needed to comfortably use the device.

Restoration Rate / Undesirable Tug
The rate at which new cells develop in the inner and outer foreskin are evaluated. This rate is very slow no matter what method is used, so all comparisons are relative. Each is listed as a subjective estimate of the maximum rate that can comfortably and reliably be achieved, based on how tension is applied to the skin with consistent 12-hour use. The purpose of restoration is to restore the penis to a more natural state, not to enlarge the shaft or cause additional problems. Any undesirable scrotal and shaft tension usually is not significant enough to cause lasting problems, but the undesirable effects can be discouraging and limit restoration progress.

Work & Activity Limits
Each device and method is limited to a suitable range of activity. Watching television at home or doing work at a desk leaves open the option of more complex devices. Medium levels of activity, such as taking long walks, can cause some devices to be unreliable and fall off, or they can be very uncomfortable. Heavy activity, such as climbing ladders and heavy lifting, are very demanding and require substantial safety concerns. Night-time use requires allowance for nocturnal erections, which can be painful if the device does not allow them. Also, blood circulation is very important, since you will not be conscious of circulatory problems while asleep.

Ease of Use
These categories are concerned with daily activities when you need to do other things besides restore. A common concern is that restoration will be a lot of work and take years of time. Other than urination and sexual activity, the penis is not being used most of the time anyway. Restoration is easier when methods are chosen to accommodate daily living so that progress can be made without continuous effort or difficulty.

Cost
Although some devices are expensive, they do add convenience. It is important to try to save money when possible, but consider that some people spend tens of thousands on a vehicle that is way beyond what they really need to travel. Spending a few hundred on restoration is not a bad deal, as long as there is some benefit in it for you. I have also noted in the chart whether a device requires additional costs for tape and/or an elastic strap.