Black scrubs—help!

Emergent, RN · Mar 9, 2019

Black scrubs are total lint magnets. It's hopeless.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 9, 2019

17 minutes ago, T-Bird78 said:
Okay, my healthcare system has nurses wear solid-color scrubs, color-coded by department. Lucky me, my area is assigned to wear black scrubs, pants and shirt. That’s nice except it shows dandruff. What can I do? I use Head & Shoulders every workday and am constantly lint-rolling myself but I still look like a snowy landscape. Can I spray something on my scrubs to repel it, or would I be better off petitioning to change our group to a different color scrub top? LOL.

Would wearing your hair up help?

That and make sure you are washing your black scrubs in a load by themselves, and make really sure not to get hair from your light colored pet on them. My job requires navy blue, and that isn't much better.

allnurses Guide · Mar 14, 2019

I wear black scrubs all the time and don't have these problems. I don't have dandruff so that is not a problem for me - but if you a have persistent dandruff a consult with a dermatologist might be in order.

As for lint and hair sticking to the scrubs I just buy scrubs made from a fabric that does not attract these things, there is no static cling either. Not an endorsement but I really like Fitscrubs and Uniform Advantage Buttersoft Scrubs. Fitscrubs are pricey. UA scrubs are a much better buy.

Hppy

T-Bird78 · Mar 15, 2019

On 3/13/2019 at 8:08 PM, hppygr8ful said:
I wear black scrubs all the time and don't have these problems. I don't have dandruff so that is not a problem for me - but if you a have persistent dandruff a consult with a dermatologist might be in order.
As for lint and hair sticking to the scrubs I just buy scrubs made from a fabric that does not attract these things, there is no static cling either. Not an endorsement but I really like Fitscrubs and Uniform Advantage Buttersoft Scrubs. Fitscrubs are pricey. UA scrubs are a much better buy.
Hppy

Thanks. Our scrubs are ordered by our employer so we have no say in what brand. I’m seriously considering a derm visit. I also might try a non-stick spray to see if that helps.

I do wash my scrubs in their own load with a fabric softener sheet in the dryer. I’m just aggravated. LOL.

barcode120x, RN, NP · Mar 16, 2019

I would definitely bring a lint roller. Won't solve your dandruff problem, but will keep your scrubs link/dandruff free.

Mergirlc, MSN, APRN, NP · Mar 16, 2019

I once had an issue w/ psoriasis that only appeared on the right back side of my head/scalp. For the longest time, I used OTC shampoos, but nothing worked. I also looked like a silvery white landscape on all my clothes!

Finally went to a dermatologist and they gave me some medications to put on my scalp. Problem solved (along w/ lessening the stress levels). You can start by trying Neutrogena T Gel Dandruff shampoo to see if it works for you. If not, then definitely go the dermatologist. They have the good stuff!

Good luck!

Forest2 · Apr 5, 2019

I also heard that the T-gel shampoo was a good one.

Duranie · Apr 11, 2019

Yeah, try some of the other dandruff shampoos our there, and make sure you are actually getting it on your scalp... either use your fingers to dab it around your entire hairline and several places on the rest of your head at the roots, or use a bottle with a nozzle (think Elmer’s glue type of thing) to direct the shampoo right to your skin.

Rub at the roots to make lather, concentrating on the areas you tend to scratch most often or that you’ve seen flakes build up.... then let it sit on your hair for 3-5 minutes before you work the lather thru the rest of your hair (if it’s longer) & before you rinse.

Also, you may find you need to rotate a few shampoos every few months... Selsun Blue for a couple months, then Nizoral, then something with coal tar as the active ingredient (I use MG217... I get it at Walgreens or Amazon...)— when you start to notice more flaking again, move on to a different product. It can be helpful to try several to see which ones work, that way you aren’t scrambling to find a new one when you need it. You’ll already have and know what works.

I went to the Derm. and he told me to try several OTC shampoos before he would rx anything. Eventually he gave me a steroid liquid to put on the worst spots at my temples and behind my ears... but you can’t really use that on your whole head....

Anyway, those are the things that helped me. Maybe it’ll help you figure out your own best options. Ultimately, you may just want to go to the derm. and see what they say.

Also, keep in mind that looking down at yourself, you’ll see every. little. speck.... but look at your coworkers— you’ll probably not really notice anything until you get right close to them. It’s typical of dark/black clothing to show every bit of lint etc.... but it’s rare that anyone else sees what we see on ourselves.

Good luck

Duranie · Apr 11, 2019

On 4/5/2019 at 12:44 PM, Forest2 said:
I also heard that the T-gel shampoo was a good one.

All of them are good for somebody... the trick is finding the one (or ones) that are good *for you*....

ventmommy · Apr 12, 2019

I have dogs and cats. I don't have an assigned color because my hospital lets us wear what we want but I have a lot of black tops and bottoms. I wash my uniforms (and everything I own) with a heavy dose of Downy liquid fabric softener because eventually it helps repel everything.