Whether you are a mother considering a circumcision for your newborn, or an adult male considering circumcision for yourself, scarring is most likely one of the important factors in making your decision. When physicians or other health care providers speak of a “circumcision scar” they are referring to the permanent mark that is created when the skin of the shaft and inner foreskin merge together during the healing process. This mark usually encircles the shaft, and may have different texture or even coloring than the rest of the skin. If you are considering circumcision, it will be important to familiarize yourself with the types of techniques that are used in the procedure, as the size and prominence of the resulting scar will depend on the technique chosen. Some techniques include the Plastibell, the GOMCO clamp, and freehand with a scalpel, and the circumcision scars will vary accordingly. Some people mistakenly think the circumcision scar is the area of the penis that has conflicting skin color shades, but in actuality, this is merely the difference between two layers of skin- the inner and outer foreskin layers.

When circumcision is performed on adult men, the resulting scar can usually be found 1-1.5 inches from the glans of the penis, at the edge of the remaining foreskin that wasn’t removed during the procedure. However, it is not uncommon for circumcision to leave little or no scar on the shaft of the penis, which is usually the case with newborn circumcisions.

Of course, like any surgical procedure, circumcision has its risks- one such complication is excessive scarring, which can be both painful and disfiguring for some men. Another complication that can occur with a circumcision scar is a chance for penile cancer or preputial stenosis, although neither of these are common. Some men have reported problems with irritation or swelling of their scars, especially noticeable during sexual intercourse.

If the potential for a scar is making you avoid the procedure altogether, it’s important to point out that there are creams that have been shown to make the circumcision scar decrease significantly in visibility. Another option is a process known as “foreskin restoration”. During this procedure, done either through tissue expansion or grafting skin, the circumcision scar becomes totally hidden underneath the stretched or regrown foreskin over the shaft of the penis. Other men have used silicone scar pads to help fade the appearance of a circumcision scar.

Regardless, you should always talk to your physician about any questions or concerns you have regarding circumcision, and it is always a good idea to reach out to other parents or patients who have had experience with the procedure.

Posted in Circumcision

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