How to Choose Lab Coats: Tips You Need to Know
If you work as a professional in the medical or scientific domains, choosing the right lab coat for your requirements might be challenging at times. After all, you need clothing that keeps you safe and comfortable while allowing you to stay attentive, agile, and responsive throughout the day. With so many options to consider, such as different fabrics, fasteners, and cuffs, it is no wonder why choosing the ideal lab coat might end up being more complicated than you initially thought. We also have a huge collection of scrubs here.
Purchasing a lab coat may appear to be an easy activity on its face. However, for several healthcare workers and medical students, it indicates a rite of passage. Getting a promotion and graduation are two of the biggest motives for purchasing a new coat, so it is critical to pick one that is high-quality, durable, commemorates your success, and looks good on you for years to come.
Today, we will delve into the world of lab coats and take a closer look at all of the details you need to find your perfect lab coat.
Consider Your Area of Expertise
In diverse medical environments, various requirements determine what sort of lab coat is necessary. For example, if you are working in a clinic or doctor's office, open and shorter coats with large pockets would be appropriate. For dental offices, a full-closure, longer coat featuring knit cuffs is preferable, as there is a greater probability of splatter.
When looking for a new lab coat, take note of the many styles worn by your coworkers. It can provide you with plenty of ideas and a better understanding of the appropriate clothing for your workplace.
Purpose & Performance: Fabric Selection
Everything revolves around the fabric. In picking your perfect lab coat, the fabric is the most significant factor to consider. The material has a tactile quality, and the fabric plays a major role in how the garment wears and washes. The following are some of the most frequent materials used in lab coats:
Polyester-Cotton Blend: Coats made of this material are easy to clean and lightweight. On the other hand, you should not use this material where flammability resistance is necessary. Once it is exposed to extreme heat, this blend burns quickly because of the high polyester content.
100% Cotton: Cotton is less flammable than the previous option, but it is less resilient and can wear more quickly. Because it is heavier than poly-cotton, it is likely to be less comfortable in hot weather. 100% cotton is very commonly used in medical settings.
Nylon: Nylon is durable and lightweight with some splash protection against fluids.
Modacrylic: Modacrylic offers great protection against chemicals and other liquids along with good resistance to fire.
Rayon: Less expensive than 100% cotton, but similarly poor liquid and fire resistance.
Pick The Ideal Accents & Accessories
Snaps, buttons, and pockets are all important accessories to consider for your lab coat. Some even have zippers. Determine whether such particular details will be helpful to you at work. Professionals that require pockets can purchase coats that can accommodate all of their equipment. For doctors who have to be more hands-on with patients, a coat with cuffs or fasteners might be vital for hygiene during exams.
Medical practitioners often overlook pleats, yet they are a vital aspect to consider in selecting a lab coat. In the rear of the lab jacket, single and double pleats will provide both style and functionality. Look for coats and other clothing such as scrub tops or scrub sets that are the proper style, then focus on the embellishments relevant to you.
Coat Length
Your height and what you generally wear underneath will determine the length of the coat you should choose. For example, scrub pants of any length complement any type of coat. However, a shorter coat is preferable if you usually wear knee-length skirts. Ensure that your coat does not conceal your clothing, but rather works as a complement to your workwear.
The lengths of standard laboratory coats are as follows:
Full Length = 36-45 inches
Mid Length = 29-35 inches
Consultation Length = 27-32 inches
Lab Coats Are Fundamental Aspect of PPE
The primary function of a lab coat is to shield the body from potentially harmful substances and to communicate your role in the work setting. They also provide a boundary between germs, bacteria, and chemicals you may come in contact with and your clothing, preventing potential damage and cross-contamination to your garments.
Lab coats are not typically worn outside in public places other than the laboratory or medical office. The aim is to ensure that any contamination from the facility does not spread into the surrounding environment. If an accident happens, lab coats can be disposed of swiftly to reduce additional danger and ensure everyone's safety.
Let Us Help Get You the Right Scrubs
With all of the choices out there, there’s no need to get stuck with boring scrubs or ones that simply aren’t comfortable. Instead, you can choose the type of scrubs that work best for you and then choose from designs that match your unique personality.
At Blue Sky Co., we have been creating awesome scrubs for over 15 years. Blue Sky is 100% fair trade and authentically made, and there is nothing we love more than supporting medical professionals.
Because nothing but the best is acceptable for our medical professionals, we offer a 100% money-back guarantee on all of our products. If, for any reason, our products didn’t meet your expectations, we will exchange or issue a refund within 30 days of your original purchase date.
If you’re ready to start wearing hand-made, ultra-comfy scrubs designed exclusively for you, check out the shop and find the best scrubs available, just for you.