Taking proper care of penis skin is a vital component of good penis care, and it has the added benefit of making the penis look especially impressive and imposing when presented to a partner. But even men who spend a considerable amount of time tending to their penis skin may have questions about it. Here are a few common concerns.

Why is it so thin?

As any man who has spent even a little time with his penis realizes, the layer of skin on the shaft is considerably thinner than on other parts of the body. This is especially so when the penis is erect and the skin is stretched tight. Veins are quite visible at that time. When the penis is flaccid, the skin may "bunch up" a little more, but it still is relatively thin.

Basically, the thinness of the skin is due to the need for keener sensitivity in the penis. With less dermal layers in the way, nerve endings are closer to the top and are therefore more receptive to touch. It is this receptivity that accounts for the intensely pleasurably feelings that come when the penis is touched and stimulated.

Are men with foreskin less sensitive then?

A circumcised man may assume an intact man will have less sensation in the penis because of the "double layer" of skin he possesses, but that is not necessarily true. The foreskin is also loaded with nerve endings, so even when the penis is covered with the foreskin, there is a great deal of pleasurable sensation easily and readily available. Some men also argue that the presence of the foreskin helps protect the penis from potential nerve damage, which can occur from trauma or from rough sex.

It is an age-old debate as to who receives more pleasure from penile stimulation, an intact man or a circumcised one. Measuring a concept such as "pleasure" is difficult, although some studies using devices to record symptoms associated with pleasure have indicated no difference between the two groups. If there is indeed a difference, it seems that it does not prevent most men from pleasurable sex lives, whatever their foreskin status.

Why does penis skin get irritated so easily?

Partially it is due to the thinness of the skin, but it also simply has to do with location and use. Skin anywhere on the body is going to respond to dirt, heat, sweat, etc. Heat is a huge factor where the penis is concerned. Unless a guy manscapes, it is nestled beneath a thatch of hair that provides insulation. Its placement where the thighs come together also creates warmth. And the blood flow associated with erections tends to add a heat element. Beyond that, most often the penis is kept snuggled beneath two layers of clothing, adding to the heat.

The heat by itself can cause rashing in some cases, but it also creates sweat. The sweat deposits bacteria on the penis skin, which can create irritation. In addition, sweat depletes the skin of natural oils which keep it moisturized, leading to dryness, scaliness, etc.

Finally, the friction forced on the penis during sex can also cause irritation (which is why use of lubrication is suggested, especially for lengthy sexual sessions).

These questions about penis skin point to the need to use a first class penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) to keep penis skin in good condition. Lack of moisturization can be tended to by selecting a crème with both a high-end emollient (like Shea butter) and a natural hydrator (like vitamin E), which together can create a "moisture lock" to keep moisture in. The best crème will also include a potent antioxidant, such as alpha lipoic acid, which fights free radicals that can cause cell damage. The antioxidant helps prevent excess thinning of penis skin.