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Tape Collar
This is usually for maintaining coverage where there is enough sextra skin to cover the glans either partially or fully. It can be a comfortable and secure way of doing this regardless of your daily activities. Doing a lot of sitting down, driving or picking things up from a low level can make a single O ring slip off (single O ring is another way of maintaining coverage). The tape ring can also be used as an alternate method in conjunction with O ring or rings and other restoration devices so that the skin can take a rest while keeping the glans covered. This alternating of devices can reduce the chances of the skin becoming sore in one place.
Tape to use
I would suggest a tape that is designed for frequent application and removal and the types are those used for attaching surgical devices like 'Stoma' bags where someone has had a 'colostomy' (removal of part of the intestine). In these instances the plastic bag where the faecies end up need removal and re-attachment. Any pads or wadding attached to the skin to keep the bag in place must be attached with tape that can be removed regularly without causing soreness of the skin. One brand name often used in this application is a soft plastic backed tape made by 3M™ that is marketed under the brand 'Blenderm™ Surgical Tape'. There may be other alternatives which you can try.
Width of tape
This is a matter of choice but will depend on how much tension the skin will be under.
 | High tension use a wider strip - this will avoid point contact pressure which will tend to 'roll' the tape into a string like strip and so dig into the skin. If this happens the tape will come off at some point. |
| Low tension (more skin coverage of the glans) use a thinner strip as it will allow more flexibility. |
How to cut the tape
Take a sheet of siliconeised thick paper and stick the tape to it in a straight line (you can mark a line by pressing hard on a sharp pencil or ball point pen to indent the paper). Cut the length to the amount you need to go round the skin plus a bit (try using a bit of string wound round the skin when in the forward position to get a rough idea).
With a sharp scalpel or craft knife held at about 45% to the tape cut through the tape but not through the backing paper. Do this by using a rule or straight edge to guide you. As a rough guide a 3/4inch wide tape cut into 4 strips would be thin, into 3 medium and into two (half) would be wide.
How to apply the tape
Peel a strip of tape from the backing strip and apply as in the pictures below using a gentle forward pull on the skin as you wrap the tape round. Start the tape at the dorsal (top) area of the penis at an angle of about 30 degrees as in the picture. When you have finished applying the tape you should be able to cross the starting end of the tape at the same angle.
What happens if the tape is too narrow for the tension?
The tape will make the skin uncomfortable if it is too narrow in relation to the tension it is under. The tape may roll up and look like the piece of tape in the photograph below:
How it may look when finished
This is a quick and easy way to keep the glans covered if you have enough skin to accommodate it once you have mastered the technique. It is cheap, effective and when applied correctly will stay on most of the day no matter what you do physically. As you see in the last photograph it is possible to retract the skin enough to urinate provided that the tape is not too wide and the penis is not restricted towards the abdomen. This is why a narrower tape is a bonus if possible as it has more give to expand.
Dorsal (top) view
End view
Side View
Some ability to expose the mateus for urination
Tip for traveling
If you are to be away and may need to replace the tape simply cut a section of backing paper and stiff card to make a small folder. Once the strips of tape have been cut stick two or three onto the backing paper, fold it and slip it between the card, put an elastic band round it and you can put it into your back or jacket pocket ready to 'peel and use'.
©elks2003 Page last updated 28th March 2003