Barrier rings can help to prevent ostomy leaks, but most barrier rings get gooey and melt. Brava Protective Rings are Coloplast’s solution to this problem. But do they work?
Disclosure: All products used in this review were purchased by me through a local ostomy supplier.
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Video Review
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About Brava Protective Rings
The products listed below were used for this review. Other sizes are available.
Product name: Brava Protective Ring
Manufacturer: Coloplast
Product #: 12037
Dimensions: 27mm stoma size, 2.5mm thick.
Quantity per package: 10, single-use
Product name: Brava Protective Ring
Manufacturer: Coloplast
Product #: 12047
Dimensions: 27mm stoma, 4.2mm thick.
Quantity per package: 10, single-use
The Protective Rings come in an attractive box. 
The box slides open (which is awkward). 
But the rings are kept neatly inside.
Part of the Brava line by Coloplast, these Protective Rings offer another option to prevent ostomy leaks and to get a better fitting appliance.
Info In the UK, this product is called “Brava Protective Seals”, not Rings.
Interestingly enough, Coloplast already offers a moldable ring product, but it seems that the Protective Ring will be replacing them eventually.
The advantage of using the Brava Protective Ring over the Brava Moldable Ring is pretty clear:
- They are more durable and less likely to “melt”.
- They are easier to handle and leave less residue.
- They are available in more sizes to fit the stoma better (currently 6 different options vs. 2).
- They come off the skin more cleanly.
These come in an attractive white and blue colored box that opens up by sliding the center part. I would have liked a traditional box that just opens on the top, but that’s just my preference.
Each Protective Ring comes in an individually sealed plastic packet, making them easy to travel with. There’s a little pull tab on one corner to open the packet. Inside, you will find the Protective Ring with plastic liners on each face (to protect it from sticking in the package). These come off easily.
Something that I really appreciate is the fact that Coloplast offers several sizes and thicknesses of Protective Rings to accommodate various stoma sizes and requirements.
Currently, the following sizes are available:
- 18mm / 2.5mm thick.
- 27mm / 2.5mm thick.
- 34mm / 2.5mm thick.
- 18mm / 4.2mm thick.
- 27mm / 4.2mm thick.
- 34mm / 4.2mm thick.
My stoma usually sits around the 30-32mm size, so I went with the 27mm ring, which can be stretched out. If you have a larger stoma, like one for a colostomy, then you have the option of going with a 34mm ring.
You can also go with rings that are either 2.5mm or 4.2mm depending on your needs.
I’m happy to report that Coloplast does not use animal ingredients in this product, which makes it suitable for vegans.
Using the Brava Protective Ring
The Brava Protective Ring works like most other barrier ring products and the instructions are the same:
- Remove the ring from the package by pulling on the blue tab.
- Remove the release liner from the face of the ring.
- Stretch it to the size/shape of your stoma.
- Either apply it directly to your skin, making sure that it’s snug around your stoma. Or, you can apply it around the hole on the back of your wafer (my preferred method).
- Proceed with putting on your appliance.
There are two release liners that need to be removed. 
You can apply the Protective Ring to the back of your wafer. 
Or you can apply around your stoma.
Of note, the instructions also say that “If you use a 2-piece ostomy appliance, it is possible to apply Protective Seal directly to the coupling side of the baseplate, to achieve a snug fit around the stoma.” I did try this as I can see it coming in handy if you’ve cut your wafer too large, but I didn’t find this to be particularly effective as a gap would be left as my stoma expands and contracts with peristalsis – stick to sticking this under your wafer (no pun intended).
Speaking of filling gaps, if you were to cut your wafer a little too big, putting one of these Protective Rings under your wafer will help to protect your skin and fill in the space (see photo below for an example).
There’s really nothing special about removing the ring – I find that it comes off together with my wafer if I’m using an adhesive remover spray (which I recommend doing). You may decide to follow up by cleaning the skin to remove any residue, but it’s not really necessary unless you have to shave the area.
My experience with removing these rings is far better than with other products, which often tend to come apart or leave a sticky mess. This is a big improvement over the Brave Moldable Rings.
My Experience
Having sampled many different barrier rings from various brands, I will say that these are some of the best when as far as durability and ease of removal are concerned.
When it comes to actually handling the Protective Ring as you’re applying it, they are a bit sticky but don’t leave as much residue as other barrier ring products I’ve tried. And while I’d usually be washing my hands after handling a barrier ring, I didn’t feel the need to with these.
In my tests, I’ve worn these rings between two and six days of continual wear, and they don’t “melt” like I would have expected. Melting is the most common complaint from people who use barrier rings, and some products turn to mushy goo after a few days of wear.
Most surprising, however, is when it came time to removing my appliance. Usually, I would expect a sticky mess when using a barrier ring, but these come off pretty cleanly and together with my wafer (especially when you use an adhesive remover).
I won’t say that it’s perfect, though. There’s still a slight bit of residue left on the skin, but it’s mostly just tackiness – not globs of product you have to scrape off!
But do they work?
Obviously, if you’re using a barrier ring it’s likely to solve an issue with either leaks or to help fill in gaps under your appliance.
That said, I would say that my success with this product is about 70%.
I was sometimes able to get six days of wear without any leaks and minimal erosion of the product, and at other times I’d get a leak after two days. This is frustrating, to say the least, especially if the goal is to prevent leaks.
This inconsistency is something I’ve noticed with other barrier rings, including Eakin Rings, so it’s not really the fault of this particular product.
One possible reason for this is because my output is generally thicker, and barrier rings work better with thin or liquid output. That said, without a barrier ring I’m able to easily get 4+ days of wear that’s consistent and (mostly) trouble-free.
But just because these don’t work for me on a regular basis, doesn’t mean that I can’t use them off and on when my skin needs some time to heal. In fact, these are perfect to use if I have some damaged skin around my stoma, and I outline how I heal my skin in THIS article.
Conclusion
At the time of this writing (March 2017), a box of Brava Protective Rings sell for CDN$50-60 depending on the size. These are now available in Canada and the UK (Sold as “Brava Protective Seals”), but will be available in the US soon!
Samples are available from Coloplast and I would recommend you try a sample before purchasing a box just to make sure they work for your skin. I would also recommend sampling these if you already use a barrier ring product but have had trouble with excessive “melting” or removing it.
Most private insurance companies should cover these.
Pros:
- Can help to prevent leaks around the stoma.
- Available in multiple sizes and thickness’.
- Doesn’t “melt” like the Brava Moldable Rings.
- Leaves very little residue on the skin.
- Individually sealed.
- No animal ingredients.
- Can be applied to wafer or directly to your skin.
- Conforms to any required shape.
- Can be torn into a smaller size.
Cons:
- Inconsistent results (for me).
- Not available everywhere.
- Expensive.
Recommended
If you’re using the Brava Moldable Rings and find that they break down too easily or are difficult to remove cleanly, then the Brava Protective Rings will be a step up.
If you’ve used barrier rings and weren’t happy with how they worked, I would at least suggest giving these a try to see if you have a better experience.
Info: For more information or to request samples, please visit http://www.coloplast.us/ or http://www.coloplast.ca/ (If in Canada).
Question: Have you used this product?
Here is a question about the rings: I use Adapt, and within minutes of putting on the flange and pouch (I put the ring on first) much of the ring has risen to a tunnel that sticks out more than the stoma. I think I saw somewhere that this is normal and good – is it? Seems to me that there would be more opportunity for stool to get under the ring.
I use a 2-piece system. I cup my hand over the ring after applying it, for less than a minute, and that seems to give it a chance to start melting/sticking onto my skin. Then I put the flange on, then the pouch. And I make sure my skin and fingers are nice and dry before I apply the ring.
Does anyone know if there is a type of glove that does not stick to the ring?
They always stick to my fingers better than my stomach. I have tried using the peel off backing with a little success. But it is awkward.
@kedikat
I have the same problem with the ring sticking to my finger better than my tummy. It gets very frustrating. I got an idea from my ostomy nurse last month which I have been trying with decent success. I warm up the flange and then take the back off and put the ring on the back of the flange overlapping the cut hole just a bit. Then I use my finger to push the edges through the hole. That way there is a tiny bit of ring between the edge of the wafer hole and my stoma. I hope this is clear. I will try to remember to take a picture when I do my next change.
Yeah, and some rings are worse than others to handle. I haven’t found a single glove that works well with anything sticky, and any that are powdered (to prevent them from sticking) will make the adhesive properties less effective.
Do you notice them sticking to your fingers all the time or periodically? I wonder if hand washing (with particular soap) makes the problem better/worse.
I tried a sample of these, and loved the result. After 4 days, it *did* seem to degrade somewhat, but not as much as the Adapt rings do. During changing, it just came off my skin without a problem, and I had absolutely no “gunk" to clean off, like the non-silicone rings leave.
Also tried the Trio silicone rings, and after just 3 days, output got under the ring and collected at the edge of the flange, causing a lot of skin irritation.
I’ll be returning the non-silicone Adapt rings and switching to these Brava ones for sure.
First I would like to say how essential and helpful your site has been since I had my illeostomy 5 weeks ago.
I have been using the coloplast products since I am allergic to something in Hollister adhesives..
I have been using these barrier ring with every change and I have yet to have any leaks or skin issues. 7 years ago I had a temp colostomy and that was a nightmare.
I change mine every 3-4 days. I could probably get a little longer but I think I have a good routine down and afraid to jinx it.
But these have made getting my shrinking stoma some nice cover when it goes smaller than my cut out or I get a little out of my cutting lines.
Not sure what the difference is between Hollister adhesive and coloplast but the difference in ripped off irritated skin when removing is huge for me.
Hey Chris, I’m at least happy that you’ve found a product that is working for you! Each manufacturer has a different formulation for these product, and it may take an allergist and some testing to determine exactly what might be giving you an allergy.
But if you’ve found a brand or product line that works well, just stick with it :)