Circumcision Styles

This page illustrates some of the different styles of circumcision. Most men do not offer a preference for a particular style. But with many circumcision methods, there is a degree of flexibility in the amount and location of the foreskin that is removed. These are the two most important aspects determining the final circumcision style. Patients who are interested in a particular style can discuss this with the doctor during a consultation.

Tightness (tight or loose): The amount of foreskin removed determines how tight the remaining skin covering the shaft is destined to be. Removing less foreskin results in a “loose circumcision”; removing more results in a “tight circumcision”. Tight circumcisions should nevertheless be comfortable due to the skin’s elastic potential.

Position (high or low): During the circumcision, a portion of foreskin is removed. The remaining skin of the shaft and the remaining foreskin are then brought close together to heal and fuse. The point of fusion becomes the permanent scar line. A “high circumcision” involves removing more of the shaft’s skin resulting in a scar line closer to the middle of the penile shaft. A “low circumcision” involves removing less of the shaft’s skin and more of the foreskin resulting in a scar line closer to the tip of the penis.

The length of the penile shaft also plays a role in the perceived tightness of circumcision. With a longer shaft, a tight circumcision results in higher manoeuvrability than a shorter shaft, as the extra skin gives more room to stretch and the impression of a looser circumcision. By contrast, some men perceive that a tight or normal circumcision is tighter than it actually is when there is less shaft skin available. In any case, these issues are not usually a significant bother to circumcised men.

Normal Circumcision Style

This circumcision style is most commonly performed. It results in a mildly tight circumcision and a common scar line location.

High and Tight Circumcision

This style results in increased tightness of the skin during an erection, however not tight enough to cause discomfort.

Low and Tight Circumcision

The scar line is much closer to the glans resulting in less of the original foreskin remaining.

High and Loose Circumcision

The glans can still be exposed with less foreskin removal, with the resulting shaft having looser shaft skin.

Low and Loose Circumcision

Similar to the style above, but with the scar line closer to the glans.

What else affects the outcome?

The quality of the scar line depends on a number of factors. Firstly, being circumcised in infancy or childhood tends to improve the scar line. Secondly, the type of procedure and the skill and experience of the person performing the circumcision can determine what the resulting scar line looks like. By using devices like the Plastibell for infants and children or the ShangRing for adults, the line is more likely to be perfectly circular and less reliant on skill.

For more information on styles and circumcision in general, you can visit Circlist.

Any reproduction of these images without explicit permission is okay as long as you credit us (via a normal web link) as the source of it. Also see our old image of circumcision styles.

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