Line of equilibrium and tape application

[zepphead2011]

Hello,
I'm pretty new to restoring and wanted to ask a few questions about taping.

I've started really committed restoration for two months now after years of consideration and a few months of experimentation. When I watch videos or read about t taping, the instructions include marking the line of equilibrium and applying the tape when erect.

I don't quite understand why I need to mark the line of equilibrium. I usually just place the center of the tape just behind my circumcision scar in order to bolster outer foreskin growth. Is it necessary to mark a line of equilibrium? Why?

Also, I usually like to apply my tape while flaccid. Whenever I would apply it erect, the tape would bunch up as the diameter of my penis strunk back to being flaccid. Is their anything wrong with taping flaccid other than running the risk of having an erection with the tape too tight?

Thanks

[Tormod]

Hi zepphead2011 - Welcome to foreskin restoration. You will not regret doing this.
Dealing with your questions:

Positioning the centre line of the T-tape at the line of equilibrium on your skin allows you to have tension on the inner skin tube approximately equal to the tension on the outer skin tube. There are two consequences. 1. The overall effect on skin growth is maximum. 2. The tape is stressed equally on its inner and outer layers, thus delaying the disintegration of the T-tape.

Putting on when erect. This allows you to have maximum length of tape (the erect circumference). This results in T-tapes staying on longer when under tension. Futher, you can easily pre-stress the skin as you are putting the T-tape on. (Pull the skin tight towards your belly while winding the T-tape around the skin.) Doing this should help the skin actually adhering to the T-tape to have some expansion. The main areas of expansion are the "free" skin tubes.

Does this help?
Best wishes

[zepphead2011]

Tormod,
Yes, this helps a lot. This makes things much clearer.
Thanks

[Allie2k14]

I remember a discussion about this in the old forum about the Future Flaccid Rollover Point (FFRP) and its calculation in order to be used as the Point/Line of Equilibrium when applying T-Tapes (and also tapeless devices).

Take a look at these diagrams that were posted in the old forum:

This one shows an imaginary "tatoo point" located at your Point of Equilibrium and how it moves over time as your skin grows.

This one shows the Forced Erect Coverage level over time.

And this shows where the tatoo point will end up being at. The idea is to calculate it properly (depending on your end goal) and use it through your restoration process, so when you're done it ends up located at the rollover point (the tip of your foreskin). Hence the name of Future Flaccid Rollover Point.

Here is a PDF document from the old forum that explains it more clearly:
Roll Over Point.pdf

Here is a related thread:
Rollover point explanation (for non-engineers, please )

Here Ron explains the use of an Excel spreadsheet to calculate the FFRP:
Some questions about TLC-X use
Does inflation cause increase in circumference of skin tube?

Sorry for the long post, but I thought it was worth noting.

[Tormod]

Thank you for saving and posting that detailed explanation, Allie2k14.

Zepphead2011 - You can see that the relative lengths of the sections of skin will change as you continue restoring. The good news is that restoration is slow and you can adjust the skin lengths (if you want to) when you are closer to declaring yourself restored. Example: I got left with very little inner mucosal type skin. If I had wanted to do so I could have biassed the T-tape towards the inner skin in order to selectively promote its growth. I decided not to do so and I'm happy with my circumcision scar line about half way inside my restored foreskin.

[tuggin64150]

The main reason to tape at the POI (point of equilibrium) is that when you a stretching, you get equal tension on the inner and outer skin, cutting your overall restoration time.

I used t-tape for my entire restoration (appox. 4 yrs). One reason why I continued using t-tape is that you could wear it while sleeping, I don't know of any other method that can do this. Having an erection when putting the tape on does case it to bunch up when flaccid, but it also gives you expansion room for nighttime erections that no other method can handle. I just found this to be a major advantage to actively stretch for longer periods of time.

[greg_b]

I never worried about the point of equilibrium. To my thinking, if the circumcision scar caused unequal tension, then that was a good thing (as long as the tape did not fail to adhere) because I wanted the short skin to grow more than the longer skin. My goal was to have inner skin on the inside, outer skin on the outside, and my scar at the leading edge. This worked well for me.

[parsecskin]

Right on, Greg. You really don't have to worry about your POE until way down the road in your restoration. Use a dual tension device and just grow as much skin as possible. When You are like 3/4 of the way done is the time to set your POE. Until then, KOT!

[TNJon77]

I have enough mucosal skin on the top of my shaft to fully cover the glans once my outer skin has stretched. The problem I have, though, is that my scar is fairly dark and is angled around the sides of the shaft toward what remains of my frenulum.

Because of the dark color and angle of my scar, I have chosen to tape below the scar to encourage more outer skin growth. I would rather have my scar on the inside of my foreskin for aesthetics while flaccid. I feel that will look more natural during those moments of casual nudity like the changing room at the gym. Since I have very little mucosal skin on the underside of my shaft, part of the scar will have to be on the inside. If the whole scar is not relocated to the inside, then I’m afraid I will be left with a dark semi-circle of scar tissue at the opening to my foreskin. While this may cause my restoration time to take longer, I feel that the end result will be more pleasing for me. After all, I’m the one that will see it the most, anyway.

Right or wrong, I’m hoping that my theory is correct. If not, I can always adjust my placement as I progress based upon the results I see. So far, I’m pleased with the progress.

If anyone has suggestions, though, I’m open for any additional ideas. Experience is always better than trial and error.

[eurobrit]

I'm not sure that I have a 'line' where the scar is. I have a line running down the front underside of my penis, which goes straight down, but that's all I can see.

Where should I apply the tape in this case?

[Tormod]

I'm not sure that I have a 'line' where the scar is. I have a line running down the front underside of my penis, which goes straight down, but that's all I can see.

Where should I apply the tape in this case?

eurobrit: It sounds like you are describing what remains of your frenulum. Where this ends - furthest from your meatus, glans - is the approximate location of the scar line. I would recommend that you do the pinch grip and rolling between thumb and index finger, to find the line of equilibrium.
I also do not have a very visible scar line around my penis. It can just about be seen as a change in skin texture on each side of it.