The scrub/surgical cap is an essential piece of protective equipment for medical practitioners. As such, surgical caps are abundantly available on the market, and they are available in a range of styles and sizes. They are used to keep the hair out of the way and keep it from falling out during medical operations. Importantly, selecting the correct surgical cap that is functional and pleasant is essential. So, the following factors should be considered.
For many years, healthcare personnel have entered the operating room wearing surgical hats or caps, which are also known as scrub hats or scrub caps in certain circles. Scrub hats and hand gloves are essential in keeping the operating room clean and the surgical areas free of infection. As such, scrub hats are prefered by doctors, surgeons, and nurses, and in certain operations, the patient may be required to wear one. So, what exactly are the many types of surgical hats?
Before you can choose the best scrub hat for you, you need to be aware of some of the most popular varieties available on the market today. And, the four most common varieties of surgical headwear are as follows:
1. Surgical Hats with a Ponytail
These surgical hats include a hole in the back that may hold and maintain long hair in place during surgery. A pouch is also included, which allows for long hair to avail of an extra layer of protection.
2. Pixie Surgical Hats
Pixie surgical hats are a kind of surgical hats with a pixie shape. A closer fit is provided by these surgical hats, which are designed for healthcare professionals with shorter hair. But, due to the lack of additional space, they are not suitable for long, heavy hair. As such, they are a great alternative if you have shorter and less thick hair than the average person.
3. Surgical Hats With a Bouffant
A Bouffant surgical cap is comparable in appearance to a chef’s cap that has been flattened or an extra-large shower cap. In the case of really long or thick hair, bouffant hats provide sufficient room to tuck in all of your hair strands safely and securely.
4. Disposable Surgical Hats
The majority of surgical hats are made of cloth, and as a result, they may be cleaned and reused several times. On the other hand, some disposable medical hats are available on the market for people who work in exceptionally infectious or dangerous environments where it may not be possible (or desired) to reuse the same surgical hat repeatedly. As such, if you work in an area with a high risk of infection, disposable surgical caps are an excellent choice.
How to Select the Most Appropriate Surgical Hat
- Because there are so many different surgical hats available on the market, it may be challenging to choose the one that is the best match for you. And, since most surgical hats are available in various sizes, it is essential to choose the perfect kind of surgical hat for your hair; otherwise, it will not be appropriate and may cause discomfort during operations. For example, if you have long, voluminous hair, a close-fitting surgical hat will be pretty snug to keep all of your hair in one place.
- If you have short or sparsely textured hair, a pixie surgical hat may be an excellent choice for you. If you have hair pulled back into a ponytail or bun, you may find a pony surgical hat a decent option. And if you have shorter hair that is thick and voluminous, a bouffant surgical hat may be an excellent choice for you to consider. Furthermore, suppose you do not need a surgical hat regularly or operate in a very contagious and sensitive atmosphere; a disposal hat may be the best option for you.
- Additionally, it is critical to pay close attention to the fabric mix of the surgical hat styles that you are contemplating purchasing. One hundred per cent cotton surgical hats are breathable and lightweight, but they are likely to shrink over time after a few washing due to the natural shrinkage of cotton. A wide variety of cotton-polyester mixes are also available on the market in various combinations. As such, surgical hats produced from a fabric that contains a polyester mix are more durable than surgical hats made entirely of cotton, and they also do not shrink with time.
- Surgical headwear is available in a range of colours as well. So, you may choose from a wide variety of solid colours to match your preferences. Furthermore, there are many other prints available, including florals, cartoon figures, polka dots, abstracts, and other patterns. And when it comes to surgical hats, you may get ones with entertaining features like a shark fin or cat ears, which are ideal if you work in a paediatric unit.
- It is preferable to have many different kinds of surgical hats on hand to always have one in any circumstance. And, if the other is in the washing machine, it is your responsibility as a medical practitioner to maintain cleanliness and protect the health of your patients.
