When it comes to penis size, a man is almost never satisfied. Even a man who has a perfectly respectable and well-enjoyed penis might look down at his favorite member and say, no, this isn’t good enough. So in addition to good penis care, he will seek out sometimes strange ways to add an inch to the overall package. That’s why so many men are interested in jelquing, an ‘old’ technique that is suddenly taking the world by storm.

What is jelquing?

Jelquing is a penis enhancement technique that requires only the use of a man’s hand. Since there are no potions, lotions or contraptions necessary to make it work, many men believe that jelquing is perfectly safe. But is it? The idea of jelquing is to manipulate the penis to force blood into it, which some men expect will make the penis lengthen, and might even improve girth.

Jelquing is done by making an "Okay" symbol with the hand, with the pointer finger and thumb creating a circle. A man then puts that circle around the base of his penis, as low as he can get it. He pulls up the penis to just below the head, gently elongating the penis as he goes. When the first hand reaches the top, he then starts with the other hand at the bottom - the result is a constant motion of his fingers sliding up the penis. An erection almost always happens, and as it does, the man squeezes lightly to force more blood into the penis ahead of every stroke of his hand.

So what’s so bad about that?

Though many people see jelquing as just a form of masturbation, it is not. The constant pressure in the same direction for a very long period of time can lead to serious problems, including pain, irritation, nerve damage and even damage to the overworked blood vessels. This can lead to scar tissue, which can eventually impact penis sensitivity - and not in a good way. And while the effort may make a man feel virile and as though he is doing something about his penis size, the truth is that any lengthening or widening of the penis is entirely temporary - just as temporary as the erection the man has coaxed out of his tired penis.

Taking good care of the package

If a man is absolutely determined to try jelquing, there are a few things he should keep in mind. First, use lube, and plenty of it. The constant motion will demand a good, solid lubrication, such as a silicone or oil-based option. Second, a guy should warm the penis up first by holding a warm towel around the member for a while before he begins.

Third, a guy should keep the session to only about 15 minutes, rather than the suggested 30 minutes. This helps ensure he isn’t doing too much damage to the blood vessels (though it is important to remember that even a little damage is too much!).

Fourth, a guy should always use a very light stroke. Stroking too hard or too deeply can lead to serious pain even before the jelquing session is over.

And finally, he should make plans to thoroughly moisturize the penis when his experiment is complete. That means using a top-notch penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) to heal the damaged skin and ease any irritation, soreness or redness. A crème that contains vitamin E and Shea butter, two powerful emollients, is a great idea. A man should also look for a crème with vitamin C, which promotes the growth of collagen and can heal the skin, leaving a man with a more handsome member - no matter the penis size.