The Versatile Barrier Ring

Flat and convex barrier rings can be used in many ways to help prevent leakage and keep peristomal skin healthy.

Learn about the two types of ostomy barrier rings.

Barrier rings are versatile products designed to protect your peristomal skin and help increase wear time (i.e., how long you can wear your ostomy pouch before it fails). You can use barrier rings to fill in uneven skin contours near your stoma to create a flatter surface, which can help prevent ostomy drainage from getting under your skin barrier. You can also stretch, shape, or stack the rings to improve the fit of your pouching system.

Stretch for an improved fit

Shape ring for a custom fit

Stack for an improved fit

Stretch for an improved fit

Shape ring for custom fit

Stack for an improved fit

Flat vs. Convex Barrier Rings

Barrier rings come in two shapes: flat and convex. For many people with ostomies, a flat barrier ring works well to improve pouching system fit. However, if your stoma is at or below the surface of your skin, if it protrudes less than a ¾” (2 cm), or if the skin around your stoma is very uneven or irregular, you may want to use a convex barrier ring.

The outward curving of a convex barrier ring places pressure on your peristomal skin to help your stoma protrude, or to help open or flatten skin folds – which can help prevent leakage. A skin barrier with convexity acts similarly.

Creating Soft and Deep Convexity With Barrier Rings

You can create a soft convex fit with your flat skin barrier by adding a flat barrier ring, stacking flat barrier rings to increase the depth of the fit, or adding a round or oval convex barrier ring. If you already wear a convex skin barrier and need additional convexity, you can deepen the curvature by adding a round or oval convex barrier ring to the barrier. An ostomy nurse can help determine which type of convexity is right for you and how you should use it.

Soft convexity created by adding a convex
barrier ring to flat skin barrier

Firm integrated convex barrier with convex
barrier ring to deepen the curvature

Soft convexity created by adding a convex
barrier ring to flat skin barrier

Firm integrated convex barrier with convex
barrier ring to deepen the curvature

Ostomy Barrier Rings to Try

Barrier rings are a great way to help ensure a custom fit, prevent stoma fluid leakage, and keep your peristomal skin protected and healthy. Try our Adapt CeraRing™ barrier rings and Adapt CeraRing™ convex barrier rings. Both are infused with ceramide, which helps protect the skin’s natural moisture barrier to help prevent water loss that may lead to damage and dryness.

For more product guidance or options, call the Hollister Secure Start services team at 1.866.789.7574 or email securestartcanada@hollister.com.