As a professional working in the scientific community, wearing lab coats is essential. Not only does wearing men's lab coat look professional, but it also protects you from germs, bacteria and hazardous substances such as chemicals, blood and other bodily fluids. But not all lab coats are the same, then how do you find men's lab coats that are both stylish and functional for us? This is the reason why we have compiled the ultimate guide to men's lab coats so it is easy to find the perfect fit for every professional.
Types of Basic Lab Coat Materials
Though lab coats are made from materials that are blended together with many different types of fibers, the basic material used to make the lab coats remains the same. The three basic materials that are used to blend fibers with are; cotton, polyester and nylon.
Cotton
Cotton is the most common material used to make men's lab coats. With its light weight and breathable characteristic, cotton men's lab coats are often desirable as they provide breathability and protection even when you have been working in your lab or medical facility all day. Cotton however, is not resistant to wrinkling and shrinkage when it gets washed or dried in high temperatures, therefore, it is often blended with other fabrics that possess qualities that can counter act cottons' flaws. This makes the overall material stronger so you can wear your perfect fitting men's lab coat at work comfortably.
Polyester
Polyester is a semi-synthetic material destined to be used in the medical industry. With its durability, moisture-wicking and quick drying qualities; polyester is the fabric most commonly mixed with cotton to produce strong, sturdy and durable men's lab coats. These men's lab coats can withstand the rigorous, harsh treatments of the medical facilities.
Nylon
Though nylon men's lab coats are not that desirable to wear, the nylon fabric is often blended with cotton to make men's lab coats that far superior to their counterparts in the market, in terms of toughness, durability, smoothness and strength.
Characteristics of perfect fitting men's lab coats.
Even in men's lab coats, there are certain characteristics that you have to keep in mind, in order to look presentable and professional in your men's lab coats. They are:
Fit and size
In order to find the perfect men's lab coat you need to first make sure that the fit and size are according to your body type. The chest, length, waist, sleeves and hips of your lab coat should fit perfectly in order for you to look sophisticated, professional and accomplished. If your lab coat is too long, it would sag down at the shoulders and you would have to roll up the sleeves. The length of the lab coat could prove to be unhygienic as well as hazardous. On the contrary, if, your men's lab coat is too small or snug on you, then your movement would be restricted. this could greatly hinder your work. Therefore, in order to look perfect in your men's lab coat you should always get it tailored to your exact measurements.
Sleeve Length
Despite long sleeves for men's lab coats being the standard; sometimes however, men's lab coats with ¾ length sleeves are more practical. Shorter sleeve provide ample protection without becoming a hindrance in case of emergencies. Having shorter sleeves on men's lab coats also means that medical professionals don't waste time rolling up their sleeves in times when taking quick actions is necessary.
Pockets
The perfect men's lab coats are ones that become an ally and accomplice to the medical professional's raison d'etre. The pockets of the men's lab coats allows the medical professional to carry some of his necessary medical items and instruments with him at all times. This not only saves time in searching for them, but the saved time can then be devoted to the patients and their ailments.
Functionality
The functionality of men's lab coats lies in the fabric that it's made from. The blend of fabrics to create the material used to make lab coats, transform mere, average men's lab coats into armors. These armors create the first barrier that protects the medical professionals from any rogue chemical spills, splatters, tainted blood and other bodily fluids, which could otherwise be hazardous to your health. Men's lab coats also should always be moisture-resistant, stain-resistant and wrinkle-resistant. These three characteristics ensure that your men's lab coats not only look nice and provide practical usage, but also presents you as a medical professional in favorable light.
Customization
The medical profession is filled with people that wear the same style of men's lab coat. This is why it is imperative that medical professionals customize their men's lab coats for the perfect look. The customization could be getting the logo of your facility embroidered on your men's lab coat, or you could also get line embroidery that has your name, job title or department embroidered on it. Getting personalized customization allows patients and visitors to remember you well. It also provides free advertisement of your facility, allowing patients to come in directly when they seek help.
Durability
As lab coats are worn throughout the day it is important for the men's lab coats to be durable. Durability of men's lab coats is reflected initially in the maintenance of the men's lab coats, as well as, in the stitches and seams. The perfect men's lab coat for you will utilize their stain resistant properties, keeping your men's lab coat looking like new longer. The stitches of your men's lab coat should not break easily with rigorous wear and tear. Nor should the fabric rip or tear at the seams from the physical work that medical professionals have to put into their line of work. Your perfect men's lab coats allows you to look professional, stylish, neat and fresh for a long period of time.
Compliance
The perfect men's lab coats should always comply with the rules and regulations set forth by their healthcare facility. Some departments require long lab coats, whereas, others might require shorter one for professional reasons. This is why you should always be aware of the rules and regulations your medical facility has put forth. This will not only ensure your safety, but also the safety of your patients, co-workers and the facility as a whole.
Types of lab coat style
Though it might seem like all lab coats look the same, you can still tell them apart if you observe their fine characteristic, such as their length.
1. Full Length Lab Coats
The perfect full length men's lab coats range from 36 to 42 inches and often go lower than your knees. They are the best defense against spills, contamination, splatters and accidental lab explosions, as they cover most of the body. This is why full length men's lab coats are worn by professional's such as chemists, pathologists and pharmacists.
2. Short Length Lab Coats
Short length perfect fitting men's lab coat have a length range of 28 to 35 inches, coming down to the medical professionals thighs. Short length men's lab coats provide complete coverage of most of the body. The shorter length also provides extra mobility, thus becoming the men's lab coat of choice for medical professionals such as dentist, laboratory workers and medical researchers.
3. Consultation Lab Coats
Perfect fitting consultation men's lab coats have a length range of 27-32 inches, which reaches to the tops of the thighs. Providing only upper body protection, men's lab coats for consultations are worn in environments where the threat of spills and splatter is relatively low. This is why men's lab coats for consultations are worn by doctors solely when they are making their rounds and consulting with patients.
4. Lab Jackets
Lab jackets have a blazer like appearance, with long sleeves, as compared to men's lab coats. Favoring a front zipper instead of button, lab jackets are considered the more stylish, and trendier choice for medical professionals. Made from polyester, nylon and cotton; these lab jackets are commonly worn by lab workers and healthcare professionals that are in an environment where they can get exposed to contamination and bacteria.
Conclusion
The perfect men's lab coats allow them to accomplish their goals by taking risks. This can only be done if their perfect fitting men's lab coats can withstand all the dangers that come with taking those risks. This is why every medical professional should understand how to find their perfect fitting men's lab coat so they can use science to help heal the sick and make our lives better.