Shiny skin causing leaks

I have had an ileostomy for two years now but recently been having more leaks. I am using coloplast products and have had good success with them for some time but recently have had more leaks. In discussing this with coloplast they said they felt after looking at a picture of my stoma that I had “shiny skin” under the barrier and that the shiny skin is caused over time by the barrier covering the skin and that can cause any barrier to not stick as well. Has anybody else heard of this before. I asked my ostomy nurse and she had never heard of “shiny skin “ being a problem before. Not sure it makes sense to me but I’m no expert. Thanks in advance for your thoughts 

Nope.. I'm a. Ileo for 8 yrs. Been on this site for abt...5  yrs. Never heard of 'shinny skin' .no threads. No topics no complaints in that time.. so to that rep telling u it's from the barrier ring?  Over the years? Horse feathers!. Stick this out with us. Others will chime in.  Sit tight. 

Five minute later....

Ah u fish?  Fish are shinny😁🤦‍♂️..did the rep think it was fishy u asked? 🤣

Shiny skin means it's very very smooth obviously which could mean either it's oily, wet or as I've learned, too much skin protectant being applied. It tends to build up once in awhile and one needs to back off using it.

Try this instead, use antibacterial liquid soap to wash around the stoma. Nothing else running on top like conditioner or shampoo during run off rinsing.

Next use a blow dryer to get the skin really dry and feels almost rough to the finger swipe. Apply nothing else.

Apply the ring first and press down, pinch edge to get it closer to stoma if necessary.

Use the blow dryer to heat activate the ring.

Then apply your precut wafer etc.

I've never heard of shiny skin before and that being a reason for leaks. Do you use a barrier ring? Do you use a skin barrier wand or wipe?

No not at all I have shiny skin and use coloplast too. It's then trying to get out of the fact they are having issues with the product. 

Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister

Thanks shamrock. I usually clean it with head and shoulders shampoo when in the shower and that has always worked until now. I’ll try your suggestion and see if that helps. Do you have a brand that you know works well. Thanks again

Our skin is constantly renewing itself.  I can't believe wearing a flange will "turn it shiny."

Heres the process:

New skin cells are created in the lower layers of the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin. These cells move up to the surface, where they harden and eventually die off. Dead skin cells are shed as tiny flakes. 

Average skin cell cycle takes about 28 to 40 days, but can vary depending on age, genetics, and overall skin health. 

Skin cell turnover is vital for maintaining the skin's barrier function and integrity. 

Skin can become thinner.  A lack of biotin in your diet can cause thinning skin.  Applying topical corticosteroids is another cause.

Contact other Ostomy suppliers and request free samples.  Sometimes a different appliance is needed.

Be very careful removing the wafer.  Never pull. Slowly roll the skin away from the adhesive wafer surface.  I use spray to lift the wafer fabric.  Wipes to remove wafer main seal.  Go slow.  It's easy to damage skin without realizing it.

Well maybe Head and Shoulders changed their formula some.

Far as antibacterial liquid soap, anything that doesn't have any additives that lubricate the skin like aloe or something..usually antibacterial dish soap works good enough for me.

I use a few drops after a dump followed by water to clean the bag and rinse it out twice. Clean bag and takes care of the smell pretty good as well.

Hello raynelson515.
I wouldn’t discount the concept of ‘shiny skin’ but there are many other reasons why wafers sometimes don’t stick adequately. 
Years ago, I gave up trying with them and made my own baseplates, which are stuck on with prosthetic adhesive. This works much more efficiently for me than the stuff that is usually on the wafers( which I stick onto my own baseplates).
I cannot see any reason why prosthetic adhesive would not work directly on any wafer but I have had no reason to try it for myself.
With all problems relating to stomas, it seems that experimentation is the way to go, to see what works and what doesn’t.

Best wishes

Bill