Why I Don’t Use Moldable Rings — And What Works Better

[Shamrock4806]

Why I Don’t Use Moldable Rings — And What Works Better

1. Rings Reduce Adhesion Before They Even Touch the Skin

Rings require molding with your fingers to fit your stoma shape.

The moment you touch them, skin oils and moisture get onto the adhesive surface, reducing stickiness.

In contrast, no-sting paste goes straight from the tube to the wafer/skin without being touched — 100% of its adhesive power is preserved.

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2. Shorter Wear Time Under High-Output Conditions

Rings absorb liquid and swell, which breaks their shape faster in watery output (like ileostomies).

Paste maintains its form longer in liquid-heavy environments, especially if applied in bead patterns that allow controlled spreading and sealing.

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3. Belly Fold + Ring = Moisture Trap

In skin folds, rings can trap moisture and digestive enzymes underneath.

This speeds up skin breakdown and creates perfect conditions for leak burns.

Paste, when applied directly, forms a smooth barrier that flexes with your body and doesn’t hold liquid underneath.

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4. Poor Contouring for Irregular Stomas

Oval, irregular, or angled stomas often require precise shaping right at the edge.

Rings are bulkier and harder to contour tightly without gaps — especially if you’re working around granulomas or scar tissue.

Paste can be applied exactly where needed and adjusted on the spot without lifting the whole seal.

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5. More Waste, More Cost

Rings often need trimming, stretching, or doubling up to work, which wastes material.

Wear time is typically shorter with rings in high-output situations, meaning more frequent changes and higher monthly costs.

Paste tubes last longer and allow you to use exactly the amount you need.

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6. Loss of Flexibility During Movement

Rings are semi-rigid when dry, then soften unevenly as they absorb moisture.

This uneven softening can cause lifting at the wafer edge, especially near the bottom in high-output stomas.

Paste starts flexible and stays flexible, moving naturally with your abdomen and fold.

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Bottom Line

Rings are often marketed as the “easy” solution, but for many real-world ostomates — especially with:

High-output stomas

Belly folds or uneven skin contours

Oval/irregular stomas

History of leak burns


…paste is the more precise, longer-lasting, and skin-friendlier choice.

Been working all day with ChatGPT on this, trying to see if I could improve on my current illeostomy application process and it even tried to get me to use a ring, even partially until I stated the obvious with it losing adhesion when handled. Then it admitted it traps moisture (like output) against the skin which we don't want that at all. So finally it gave up and offered me a solution outlining why paste is superior to rings especially with my angled, low profile oval stoma in a belly fold. Which has gotten a little better now that I lost some weight the stoma sticks out a normal 3/4 inch now. Plus I was irritating the stoma when rinsing with other than just plain water and it was retracting which pops the seal. But everything changed for the better when I started using oil free eye makeup remover as a adhesive remover and skin cleanser prep and then followed up with just plain soap and water to wash it off for squeaky clean skin results. Warming the skin with the blow dryer also. Absolutely fantastic barrier and wafer adhesion now. I may get a tiny little leak burn every once in awhile but it doesn't even hurt.

Jesus I should write a book.

[GeorgeS]

Hey! Glad to hear your stoma is now an outie. I have found the makeup remover does a grand job, too. I don't often make changes without showering afterward, so I don't need the towelette that often. Suitable for whenever an emergency change is necessary.

I prefer Hollister slim rings anytime I need to heal a burn. The ones containing the Ceramide...

The pastes without alcohol don't set up as well. I use the no-sting versions, and they never seem to last. I will have to try the beaded method you mentioned. I typically apply it like toothpaste, in one long squeeze if I can, around the stoma base.

I just finished my Coloplast sample of their sheet. It is very tacky! It lasted 5 days! I switched back to the CeraRing this morning because I had some burns. It did not prevent leakage under; however, it did handle the sweating from the heat better. Looking at the extent of the leak, it was about a day away from reaching the edge of the sheet.

I may have caused some of the leakage by using my hernia belt, though. It tends to form a cone, lifting the base of the stoma, especially while driving. I quickly went back to the plain, tighter swim wrap I usually prefer. The hernia belt works better with stiffer wafers; the two-piece systems with a flange are usually more effective.

By the way, your book appears to be in a constant state of editing, so I'm not sure you'll ever be able to publish it.

[Shamrock4806]

The Coloplast sheet will not protect sideways from output only on the top.

So one still has to use either a ring or paste as a barrier adhesive protecting the peristomal skin area and force the output up and out. Then put the sheet on top of it and protecting it's edge which is vulnerable.

So for that I just use paste and sink the sheet with the stoma hole into it some, then push the oozed out excess to cover the sheets edge.

But then comes the problem of sealing between the wafer and the sheet which more paste or a ring is needed for that.

All for what benefit exactly?

Better just to press the wafer directly into three full bead ring rows of paste going around the stoma and forget the dam sheet.. Because it can only protect the skin if the leak occurs between the wafer and the sheet flowing on top of it.

Most of leaks occur between the skin and the barrier adhesive anyway.

So by properly cleaning the peristomal skin with the eye makeup remover and then lightly washing with just plain non moisturizing soap so it's squeaky clean when rubbed and drying thoroughly so the skin is warm, addressing any burns with stoma powder and a spray coat of skin protectant 30 seconds to dry seems to cause a very strong barrier adhesive and skin bonding like I've never had before using ostomy companies supplied adhesive removers.

Something in the oil free eye makeup remover does the trick very well to remove all traces of adhesive from the pores and conditions the skin. I rarely get a leak anymore now and if there is one it's extremely tiny!