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Scrubs have become the uniform for a range of industries spanning from medical to beauty. But these scrubs are so much more than just a uniform. They are worn not just to protect the wearer, but their patients too.
Scrubs are worn not just to protect the wearer, but their patients too
We all shed dead skin and hair cells continuously. When walking, an average human will shed 10,000 keratinocytes from our epidermis per minute. We also shed between 50-100 hairs a day on average. The problem with these sheds is that they are potential “reservoirs for infectious particles”.
So how do we stop our shedding skin cells and hair from contaminating our theatres?
The key is to contain them under our surgical attire securely so they cannot escape which means the material our scrubs are made from must be impermeable to skin cells and hair. It is well known that surgical caps perform this function for hair and masks to prevent the spread of pathogens from our nose and mouth, but the scrub material also plays a vital role.
The essential criteria that successful scrub material needs to deliver include:
This determines how much friction and rubbing occurs with our movements whilst wearing the scrubs – the less rubbing, the less shedding of fibres.
Breathability is important as it allows body heat to escape and prevent the wearer from overheating, whilst at the same time, containing shed skin cells.
The fabric in scrubs also needs to be lint-free to prevent shedding the material onto the surgical site and theatre.
It’s not recommended that scrubs be made from 100% cotton fabric, as cotton has large pores which increase the risk of the release of skin cells into the environment. (AST Standards of Practice for Surgical Attire, Surgical Scrubs, Hand Hygiene and Hand Washing)
You should put on your scrubs in a designated changing area just prior to surgery. A head cover should be worn when putting on the scrub top to prevent shedding microbes onto the scrub.
If you’re wearing a two-piece scrub (top and pants), the scrub top must be tucked into the scrub pants to contain skin cells and prevent them from falling out during surgery.
Scrubs that are to be worn in surgery must only be donned just prior to entering surgery. Different scrubs must be worn for general day-to-day wear in consultations, clinics or hospitals and during surgery.
Let’s start by reviewing the criteria listed above for the best scrub material and design along with a few extra criteria:
The fabric used in 21 Scrubs has a 4-way stretch and is lightweight and waterproof.
21 Scrubs have been designed to include breathable in-built side panels.
All 21 Scrubs tops, pants and jumpsuits are made from a non-cotton material. Our Core 21 fabric is made from polyester, and one-third of the polymers are plant-derived.
We use a non-cotton, multifilament yarn with a high thread count which means it has a very tight weave.
The 21 Scrub Jumpsuit features a “zip-up” design to avoid having to be slipped over the head. All of our scrubs material features a 4-way stretch which is comfortable, smooth and soft to prevent rubbing (and more shedding).
All 21 Scrub tops have a generous length to allow for tucking in. Scrub pants have a thick stretchy waistband to allow our scrub tops to be tucked in whilst also maintaining a smart fitted look.
21 Scrub tops, pants and jumpsuits more than deliver when meeting surgical scrub recommendations but they also go further.
The Core21 fabric is not only stretchy and comfortable but also liquid and hair repellent, lightweight and quick dry.
All of our scrubs are ethically and responsibly made, Australian-designed and owned, and we use 100% compostable packaging!
This post first appeared on the 21 Scrubs blog
Veterinarian, certified veterinary acupuncturist, co-founder 21Scrubs, tv presenter. Dr Alison Shen is a small animal veterinarian and is featured on the channel 9 tv series Bondi Vet. In 2021 Alison, Dr Audrey Shen (also a vet and her twin sister) and Rebecca Lau Marsh (fashion and business expert) launched 21Scrubs. 21Scrubs is a brand that is reinventing the traditional scrubs and challenging the way we view our health professionals. With a focus on the veterinary profession and the need for comfortable, durable, stain, hair and waterproof clothing; whilst recognizing that practicality doesn't have to compromise on looking professional and fashionable. 21Scrubs is disrupting the scrub wear industry with other health and beauty professionals also welcoming the scrub brand in their workplace.
Connect with Dr Alison:
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