Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

“Not Made with Natural Rubber Latex” (often referred to as “Latex-Free”) means that the product is not made from natural rubber (latex) or doesn’t contain any natural rubber.

Tranquility products are not made with natural rubber latex and do not contain any natural rubber.

Absorbency is a product’s ability to take in fluid. It is sometimes used to describe the total amount of fluid a product can hold (absorbent capacity). Tranquility offers products with a variety of absorbency capacities for wearers with different levels of incontinence from light to severe.

A brief is a unisex product with that you put on by fully opening and then folding into place, fastening close with tape tabs, so they are sometimes called “tape-tab briefs.”. Briefs are also sometimes referred to as adult diapers. Briefs are typically used for maximum protection with the ability to contain urine and bowel incontinence.

Refastenable tape-tabs are a two-part sticky tape or hook-and-loop system that allows for multiple openings and closing of a brief or diaper.

Yes. Tranquility’s advanced tape system securely fastens the brief while allowing for openings and closings.

Poly-backed (plastic) products use a two-part refastenable tape tab. The product has colored landing zones where the tape should be applied to ensure easiest fastening and refastening, if needed.

Tape Tab Instructions (Plastic-Backed Products)

1. Lift blue and patterned tapes together and place on the front of brief
2. Peel and lift patterned tape off the blue tape to open the brief
3. Refasten patterned tape to the blue tape to reclose the brief

A clothlike backsheet product uses a micro-hook closure tab, also referred to as “hook-and-loop” tabs. These refastenable tabs grip the soft, clothlike outer layer to securely fasten it closed.

Tape Tab Instructions (Clothlike Products)

1. When fitting the brief for the first time, lift the wavy-edged, micro-hook closure tabs from the back panel, exposing the micro-hooks.
2. Place the opened micro-hook closure tabs anywhere on the front panel of the brief. Press down on micro-hook tab and tug backward to lock hooks and loops in place.
3. Lift the micro-hook tab from the front panel to open the brief. Return the micro-hook tab to the front panel to reclose the brief.

Micro-hook closure tabs, also referred to as “hook-and-loop” tabs, are refastenable tabs that grip the soft, clothlike outer layer of a disposable brief to securely fasten it closed.

A moisture-proof backing is an outer-layer of material in a disposable brief or diaper that doesn’t allow moisture to pass through. Both poly (plastic) and clothlike products have moisture-proof backing. A moisture-proof backing is also referred to as a moisture barrier.

Superabsorbent Polymer, otherwise referred to as SAP, is tiny material, typically beads or balls, that can absorb and lock in many times its own weight in fluid. The type of SAP, amount of SAP and how the SAP is distributed throughout the product can factor into how much fluid a product can hold. Tranquility products use an ideal quantity of high-quality SAP that is strategically placed within the product cores, to provide superior absorbency and fluid retention.

C.U.P. is an acronym for Capacity Under Pressure, which is the amount of fluid that is retained in the core of Tranquility Products while under pressure from activities like sitting, standing and lying down. We refer to this as Real Life Protection, because it describes how our products live up to the demands of real, everyday movements and activities.

After the product has been soaked in synthetic urine, pressure is applied to simulate the kind of pressure a wearer would exert on the saturated product. The amount of fluid remaining in the core after pressure has been applied is defined as the product’s C.U.P. capacity.

Tranquility displays the maximum absorbent capacity of its products on packaging with icons of 8-oz measuring cups, instead of more commonly used icons depicting drips or drops. This makes it easier to select the product that’s right for your absorbency needs.

A clothlike backsheet is a soft, nonwoven material that covers the outside of a product. Clothlike materials are typically softer and make less noise during movement for better discretion, and tend to feel more like regular underwear, providing enhanced comfort and security to the wearer.

Clothlike products are designed with the same moisture barrier layer found in poly or plastic-backed products; therefore they are designed to stop fluid from passing through.

Breathable means the product has the ability to allow air to circulate through. Some products feature breathable side panels, while “100% Breathable” products have materials throughout that allow potentially harmful heat and moisture vapor to pass through them, while fresh, cooler air can flow into the product.

If you have the proper-fitting brief, it should not leak. Breathable sides allow air to flow through but should not allow any moisture to pass through.

Size, fit and product style are the main factors to take into consideration if you experience leaks with your incontinence product. To help ensure you have the right size of product, check to see if the leg openings have a snug fit (no gaps) and do not create redness around the leg/groin area. If you are using a disposable brief, check to make sure the tape tabs fasten halfway between the belly button and the hips. If they fasten up further toward your belly, in the crotch area, the brief is too big; if they fasten behind the hips, the brief is too small. 

Also make sure that you are wearing the correct product style and absorbency level to meet your needs. If you are certain that you have the right size and style of product, you may consider adding a booster pad product to increase the capacity of the absorbent garment and help stop leaks.  Read more about booster pads here, or take a short quiz to find the right product for your incontinence needs with our Product Finder.

Higher-performing incontinence products are designed to be more absorbent and are made with higher-quality materials. As a result, these products tend to keep skin dry and healthy, neutralize urine pH and reduce odors. It is possible to actually save money by using more expensive products, because they require fewer clothing and bedding changes, and reduced laundry due to fewer leaks and accidents. They tend to provide longer wear time, so you buy fewer products and have fewer soiled products to throw away. Finally, they improve the quality of life for both the care provider and the care recipient.

Wetness indicators vary by brand. The Tranquility wetness indicator has printed lines that run the length of the product; when moisture is present, the indicator line will turn blue. This makes it easy and convenient to know when a change is needed to protect skin.

Wetness indicators vary by brand. The Tranquility wetness indicator has yellow lines that turn blue indicating that moisture is present. When the line is solid blue up to two fingers’ width in distance from the front or back of the product, that is indication that a change is needed.

No. In general, two tape-tab briefs (adult diapers), two pairs of disposable pull-on underwear and other products with a moisture-proof backing should never be worn together. People who wear two incontinence garments on top of one another may believe they are doubling the absorbency and protection of these products, but they likely are causing more harm than good. Here’s why:

1. Incontinence briefs and pull-ons have a plastic, waterproof backing to contain fluid. If you double diaper, when the first garment fills up, the excess fluid does not simply flow through into the second garment below. Instead, it’s more likely the excess fluid will leak out of the sides and onto clothing and furniture.
2. Double diapering can act like insulation, holding in potentially harmful heat and water vapor close to the body and creating an unhealthy environment for skin.
3. Having two garments on can be extremely uncomfortable for the wearer.
4. It can cost twice as much.

Learn more about diaper doubling here.  

**Please note there are special products called booster pads that are designed to be placed into disposable briefs and pull-ons, so you can wear them longer without leaks.  Read more about booster pads here.

Booster pads have a flow-through design that absorbs an initial amount of fluid before allowing additional fluid to pass through to the host (primary) garment. Booster pads are placed inside any disposable undergarment with a moisture-proof backing, but cannot be placed inside of regular underwear.  On the other hand, A personal care pad has a moisture-proof backing and is meant to be worn in regular underwear. It should not be used as a liner inside of a host garment, as the moisture-proof backing would not allow the fluid to flow through, actually causing fluid to run out of the product and leak. Read more about booster pads here.

Booster pads can be placed in target areas where leaks tend to occur. Here are a few options and directions: 

• Position the booster pad horizontally across the stomach, adhesive side away from the body. Apply host (primary) undergarment as usual and adhere pad. 
• Place the booster pad over the hip to prevent leaking for side sleepers. 
• For women, position the pad towards the back. 
• For men, position the pad towards the front. 

Please note: Booster pads can be folded but never cut. Read more about booster pads here.

Yes, you can add more than one booster to the host (primary) garment for additional absorbency. Make sure that the booster pad is fully contained within the host garment; no part should extend beyond the edges or it could result in leaks and accidents.

A host garment is a disposable garment with a moisture-proof backing. When using a booster pad for added absorbent capacity, the booster must be worn inside a host garment; it cannot be used by itself or placed directly into regular underwear. Learn more about host garments in combination with booster pads here.

Typically, powders are not used to neutralize odors and should not be necessary with Tranquility Products. We use a special blend of materials that actively neutralizes the pH level of urine and reduces odor.

To find the best size and fit, start with taking the measurement of the largest part of your body between the waist and hip. Fitting that measurement will give you a good place to start. Remember when fitting products that leg openings should be snug fitting with no gaps. If using a tape-tab style product, tapes should land halfway between the belly button and the hips. Learn more about proper measuring techniques and sizing tips here.

Brands are not designed with equivalent absorbency levels – one brand’s “Maximum” may not hold as much as another brand’s “Maximum” level, so you may wish to try a different brand to compare.  

You also might consider adding a booster pad to your current product to see if that stops leaks from happening.

Incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine or stool. More generally, it is the accidental leakage of urine or bowel from the body. Other common phrases for incontinence are loss of bladder control, bladder leaks, overactive bladder, bedwetting and others. Incontinence can be experienced temporarily or can be lifelong. 

Incontinence can be urinary (pee), fecal (poop) or both. Urinary incontinence is the term used for people with only bladder leakage; fecal incontinence is used for people experiencing bowel leakage.  Learn more by reading our comprehensive Incontinence Guide.

A void is an amount of urine or feces that leaves the body.

Stress incontinence is when there is a sudden pressure or stress on the bladder that causes urine to unexpectedly leak. Sudden pressure or muscle contractions on the bladder are caused by coughing, sneezing, exercising, heavy lifting or laughing. Stress incontinence is more common in women, as it can be a result of weakened pelvic floor muscles due to childbirth and menopause.   Learn more by reading our comprehensive Incontinence Guide.

Urge incontinence is a sudden urge to urinate that is so strong it cannot be held long enough to reach the bathroom. Urge incontinence is also known as overactive bladder (OAB). Urge incontinence or OAB can be the result of nerve damage, bladder spasms, stroke and other conditions. Learn more by reading our comprehensive Incontinence Guide.

Mixed incontinence is the combination of urge incontinence and stress incontinence. Mixed incontinence shares the symptoms and causes of both stress and urge incontinence. Therefore, people with mixed incontinence experience both sudden stress on the bladder and a sudden urge to urinate, causing urine to leak before they can use the bathroom. It is common in women following childbirth and menopause, as well as with nerve damage, multiple sclerosis (MS), diabetes, stroke and others. Learn more by reading our comprehensive Incontinence Guide.

Overflow incontinence occurs when the bladder is unable to contain urine under pressure. The bladder fills up and eventually overflows, causing urine to leak. People with overflow incontinence may also feel like they cannot completely empty the bladder. Overflow incontinence is common for men with an enlarged prostate and in adults with a UTI. Learn more by reading our comprehensive Incontinence Guide.

Reflex incontinence is caused by bladder muscle contractions that cause urine to leak out without warning. Reflex incontinence is similar to urge incontinence; however, the difference with reflex incontinence is the absence of the warning or urge to go. Reflex incontinence is common in people with neurological impairments, such as spina bifida, MS and spinal cord injury. It can also be the side effect of surgery or radiation treatment. Learn more by reading our comprehensive Incontinence Guide.

Functional incontinence is when a person cannot get to a bathroom fast enough or cannot recognize the need to go to the bathroom. It is often due to physical or mental impairments. People with physical disabilities that keep them from being able to get to the bathroom experience functional incontinence. Alzheimer’s and other dementias cause changes in the brain that can make adults unable to recognize the body’s signal of the need to use the bathroom. Additionally, people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias may experience confusion trying to find the bathroom and urinate before they make it to the toilet. Functional incontinence is often urinary and fecal. Learn more by reading our comprehensive Incontinence Guide.

No. Cutting back on fluid intake can lead to dehydration, constipation and irritation of the bladder. It is true that certain types of fluids should be avoided, such as alcohol and caffeine, which irritate the bladder.

Tranquility Brand products do not require the use of a barrier cream. However, if someone needs to use a barrier cream, we recommend only using a pea-sized amount of a water-based cream. Learn more in our guide to diaper rash creams.

The beads are the superabsorbent polymer that absorbs the liquid inside the product. The absorbent polymer is not harmful, it is a standard component in many diaper products, including baby products. However, be extremely careful when cleaning up the beads, as they can be very slippery if stepped on.

Our products are made with materials that do not contain known allergens.

Please set aside two unused samples and call the Tranquility Care Center at 1-866-865-6101. The Care Center team would be happy to assist you in determining what the problem is and working toward a resolution.

Currently, we do not sell direct to consumers. If you are looking to purchase product, please visit our Where to Buy page.

The shipping label on the box will have the name of the company providing your products. Please call our Customer Care department at 1-866-865-6101 for assistance.

If there is a local retailer in your area, it is best to call them directly to see if they carry that product. Another option would be to purchase online by visiting our Where to Buy page.

In many states our products can be covered by Medicaid or Waiver programs. Each state has different coverage guidelines. Please call us at 1-866-865-6101 for assistance, or read our Medicaid blog to learn more.