Medical scrubs with zippers have become popular for their modern style and ease of putting them on and taking them off. But the question is common: are they really safe for working in a clinical setting? The answer is: yes, they can be used safely, provided they meet certain criteria. Here's a clear guide to help you make the best decision.
1. Basic safety: what a suitable zipper should have
✔ Inner cover (placket)
A secure zipper should have a layer of fabric covering it on the inside to prevent it from snagging on gloves, skin, or tools.
✔ Plastic material, not metallic
Metal zippers can rust with disinfectants and are less flexible. Plastic ones are lighter, more durable, and easier to disinfect.
✔ Reinforced seams
A clinical uniform must withstand constant movement, frequent washing, and disinfection. The zipper area needs double or reinforced stitching for added security.
2. In which medical areas can they be used safely?
Zippered uniforms are suitable in environments where the risk of exposure to fluids is low and the tasks require comfort and a professional appearance.
In these scenarios, the zipper does not compromise safety or hygiene.
3. Situations in which they are NOT the best option
They are not recommended in high-risk environments where clothing must function as a maximum barrier.
Avoid them in:
Emergency Room
Intensive care
Operating room
Biological risk laboratories
Prehospital care and ambulances
In these areas, even a small opening or seam can accumulate contamination and make disinfection difficult.
4. Real advantages of zippered scrubs
Easy to put on and take off, even with frequent changes of clothes
More structured and cleaner adjustment
Modern and professional aesthetics
They prevent typical button problems, such as them opening or falling off.
5. Tips for choosing a safe model
Choose plastic zippers covered by an inner layer
Verify that the design allows for full mobility when raising the arms.
Make sure the zipper doesn't rub against your neck
Check that there are no metal elements that could cause discomfort or get caught on something
Uniforms with zipper closures can be used without issue in most medical and paramedical jobs, provided they meet basic safety standards and are used in low-risk areas.
If your workday requires comfort, quick dressing, and a modern look, this type of uniform can be an excellent option. For critical areas, a zipperless design remains the safest choice.
When buying medical uniforms, it is common to encounter the choice: unisex scrubs or scrubs designed specifically for women?
Many professionals assume the only difference is the color or the logo, but the reality is that this distinction goes far beyond a simple gender label. It's a fundamental difference in design logic that directly affects their comfort, mobility, and the professional image they project throughout the day.
If you've ever worn a uniform that fits "borrowed" or feels uncomfortable around the waist and chest, it's time to understand the real difference between these two cuts.
1. The Reason for the Division
The existence of unisex and women's scrubs is not due to simple segregation, but to the search for ergonomics in the work environment.
While the classic scrub set ( surgical scrubs ) was designed for functionality in a sterile environment, the modern scrub must be functional for all the daily movement within a hospital or clinic. The key question is: how do you achieve maximum mobility for bodies of varying shapes?
2. The Greatest Distinctive Feature: The Design and the Cutting Pattern
The most significant distinction lies in the fabric's cutting pattern:
A. Unisex Scrubs (Logic: Universality and Economy)
The unisex cut is designed to accommodate a wide range of sizes and shapes with a straight and simple tailoring pattern, minimizing production costs.
Filipina (Top): Straight, square, and loose cut. The shoulder seam is wide, and the bust has no darts , resulting in excess fabric around the waist.
Trousers: High rise and straight legs. The relationship between the waist and hip is linear, resulting in trousers that are often tight at the hips but too wide at the waist.
B. Scrubs for Women (Logic: Anatomical Optimization)
The women's cut is based on the average measurements of the female figure, seeking an ergonomic fit.
Filipina: The pattern is narrow at the waist and slightly wider at the hips. It includes darts or curved seams at the bust and back, eliminating excess fabric in the torso.
Trousers: Contoured waistband (often with wide yoga-style bands for added comfort), a more fitted rise, and more room in the hip and thigh area.
3. The Impact on the User Experience During the Shift
A good fit becomes a performance factor after the 6th hour of a 12-hour shift.
Feature
Unisex Scrub
Scrub for Women
Waist Comfort
It tends to be large and requires constant lacing; it can create a "bag" effect when sitting.
Snug but comfortable fit; the waistband adapts to the curves without squeezing.
Mobility while stretching
The fabric pulls from one point to another (shoulder to hip) due to the straight cut.
The curved (contour) design allows the stretch fabric to move with the body, not against it.
Pockets
Basics and the sides.
Often with more pockets, ergonomically placed and angled for easy access.
Who Prefers It
People who need very loose uniforms or who prefer a feeling of total spaciousness.
People who prioritize fit , appearance, and mobility without excess fabric.
4. Appearance and Professional Projection
Your uniform is part of your image. An incorrect fit can detract from your authority or be a visual distraction.
Unisex: The overall look is functional, simple, and very relaxed. It may appear loose, which in some administrative environments is perceived as less polished.
For Women: The look is cleaner, more defined, and modern. The fitted waist and shoulders convey an image of greater professionalism and attention to detail.
Environmental Sensitivity: In environments where interaction with the patient is key (e.g., private clinics, dermatology, aesthetic offices), the fit of the uniform ( for women ) becomes more sensitive to the brand image.
5. Is there a difference in quality or durability?
Clear Answer: No. The quality and durability of the fabric (for example, whether it is wrinkle-resistant, stretchy , or pill -resistant) is a function of the brand and the technology used, not the cut.
A premium brand uses the same high-tech fabric for its unisex and women's cuts.
The only indirect effect on durability is that a poorly fitting unisex scrub can put more strain on the seams of the pants when bending over, which could slightly reduce their lifespan if the fabric is generic.
6. How to Decide: Which One Is Ideal for You?
Use these questions to guide your final decision:
Condition
Recommendation
Reason
Extreme Activity (Surgery, Emergencies)
Unisex (plus size) or Women's (very stretchy fabric)
Total priority to slack in wide movements.
Medium/Static Activity (Laboratory, Consultation)
For Women
The defined adjustment will give you a sharper, more professional image.
You need to fix your hip fit.
For Women
The pattern is optimized for the waist/hip ratio, eliminating excess fabric.
Find the Lowest Price
Unisex
The lower manufacturing cost translates into a lower unit price.
Look for a modern image and comfort
For Women
The contemporary and ergonomic fit is unbeatable.
7. The Uniform That Works Best is the Best Uniform
The best option is not inherently "unisex" or "for women"; it's the one that allows you to forget you're wearing it.
If you prefer a spacious and functional uniform at the best price, the unisex option will do the trick.
If you prioritize ergonomic mobility, a polished image, and a fit that honors your figure and profession, the women's cut is an investment worth every penny.
Comfort is performance, and fit is professionalism.
Entering the medical profession involves more than just books, on-call shifts, and endless coffee breaks. It also brings up a very specific and quite common question: What scrubs should you buy when you're a medical student? It's not a minor decision, because you're going to use them a lot, in very different contexts and, almost certainly, under pressure.
Here's a clear guide, designed from the student's perspective , not from a marketing standpoint.
Prioritize comfort above all else.
As a student, you'll spend hours on your feet, walking between departments, taking notes, and going in and out of operating rooms or consulting rooms. An uncomfortable scrub is quickly noticeable.
Seeks:
Fabrics lightweight and breathable
Some flexibility , however minimal.
Soft seams that won't chafe with movement
You don't need the most technical model on the market, but you do need one that doesn't restrict your movement.
Correct fit: not too loose, not too tight
It's tempting to buy very loose scrubs "to be comfortable", but in clinical practice that can backfire.
A good fit:
It makes it easier to move without getting caught up in the details.
It gives a more professional image.
Prevent the uniform from looking sloppy
If you're between sizes , think about how you'll use it: long days, sometimes with a robe on top, sometimes without.
Colors: Please check the guidelines before purchasing
Many colleges and hospitals They require specific colors. For students: navy blue, operating room green, gray, or even white.
Before choosing:
Check your school's regulations
Ask upper-year students
Avoid bright colors if you're unsure.
Choosing the right color from the start saves you from having to buy another uniform later.
Durability: you'll wash them more than you think
Between practices, guard duty, and inevitable accidents, student scrubs go through the washing machine constantly.
Notice that:
The fabric should not be too thin.
The color does not fade easily
Maintains its shape after several washes
You don't need to invest in the most expensive scrub, but you should avoid those that become deformed after the third use.
Pockets: more important than they seem
Pens, notebooks, cell phones, IDs, scissors… as a student you always carry things.
A functional scrub typically has:
At least one pocket at the top
Two or more in the pants
Deep pockets that don't empty when you bend over
It may seem like a minor detail, but in everyday life it makes all the difference.
Don't buy too many at the beginning
Many students buy several scrubs before starting and then discover that:
The hospital uses a different color.
The adjustment doesn't convince them
They prefer a different type of fabric
Realistic recommendation: start with 1 or 2 games , try them out in practice and adjust your choice afterwards.
Professional image from day one
Even though you're still learning, you're already part of the clinical environment. A clean, well-fitting uniform appropriate to the setting conveys respect, seriousness, and commitment.
Choosing the right scrubs as a medical student isn't about fashion, it's about feeling comfortable, following rules, and focusing on learning , which is the most important thing at this stage.
At Jelrisofit, we offer exclusive student discounts. Enjoy 15% off on our discount page. If you're a student, click the " Student Exclusive " link to access this exclusive offer.
Ink stains are among the most common in medical settings: pens exploding in pockets, caps that don't close properly, or a lapse in routine. Although they seem impossible to remove, most can be eliminated using the correct methods.
Here's a clear and effective guide to recovering your scrubs without damaging them.
Why is ink so difficult to remove?
The ballpoint pen ink is formulated to attach to surfaces and resist water. When it falls on fabrics such as cotton, polyester, or blends, it penetrates quickly and adheres to the fibers, requiring products that dissolve it without affecting the uniform's color.
What to do immediately after the accident
Quick action prevents the ink from spreading:
Pat dry with a paper towel without rubbing.
Place a clean cloth under the fabric to prevent the stain from soaking through.
Do not use hot water (it spreads the stain).
Do not put the garment in the dryer before cleaning it.
This prepares the fabric for the appropriate treatment.
Effective methods for removing ink stains
1. Isopropyl alcohol: the fastest and safest method
It is the most recommended treatment for fresh ink.
How to apply it:
Moisten a cotton ball or cloth with alcohol.
Dab the ink onto the stain, allowing it to transfer to the cotton.
Repeat until the color fades.
Wash the garment as usual.
It works well on polyester scrubs or blends.
2. Hairspray (fixative spray)
It contains alcohols that help dissolve dried ink.
How to use it:
Spray directly onto the stain.
Leave on for 1–2 minutes.
Rub gently with a cloth.
Rinse with cold water and wash.
Ideal when you don't have alcohol on hand.
3. White vinegar + liquid detergent
Gentler option for delicate fabrics or sensitive colors.
How to use it:
Mix 1 part vinegar and 1 part detergent .
Gently rub the stained area.
Leave on for 10 minutes.
Wash normally.
Helps loosen medium-sized stains without discoloring the fabric.
4. Baking soda (for stubborn stains)
It serves as a gentle exfoliant when residue remains.
How to use it:
Make a paste with baking soda and water.
Apply it to the stain.
Rub in circular motions.
Rinse and wash.
Not recommended for very dark or delicate scrubs, as it can damage the fabric if rubbed too much.
5. Professional stain removers
If the dye takes days or the garment is expensive:
Use enzymatic products.
Oxygenated treatments.
Specialized stain removers for ink.
They are a good option for high-end uniforms or sensitive colors.
Tips according to the type of fabric
Cotton
It absorbs more ink. → Alcohol + detergent is the most effective.
Polyester or blends
It expands less, but retains pigments. → Alcohol or hairspray work very well.
Elastic fabrics
Avoid rubbing too hard. → Use gentle methods like vinegar + detergent.
Mistakes that worsen the stain
Avoid these steps if you want to save your uniform:
Rub firmly at first (the ink will spread).
Add hot water.
Mixing chlorine with ammonia (dangerous).
Use a dryer before removing the stain completely.
Once the ink is set with heat, it is almost impossible to remove.
How to prevent ink stains on your uniform
Use bulletproof pens (pressurized pens or sealed gel pens).
Store pens in external pockets or accessory pouches.
Always close the lid before putting it in your pocket.
Avoid using pens or liquid inks during the day.
Small habits that extend the lifespan of your scrubs.