Perfume at work?

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

Fellow nurses, what are your thoughts on wearing perfume to work, and can you suggest a light, classy fragrance that is appropriate for the work setting? I usually wear one spritz of Victor & Rolf Flowerbomb or Guerlain Herba Fresca. I steer clear of anything from Victoria's Secret and any and all celebrity fragrances. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Perfume should not be worn, period. In fact, many facility dress code policies will state this. Too many patients with allergies/sensitivities, and who wants someone bending over them with an overpowering perfume? While the wearer may not notice their perfume/cologne, trust me, those who are not constantly exposed to the scent will be overpowered. We have one person in our locker room who sprays body spray excessively multiple times throughout the day. Not only does it provoke coughing fits for many people who merely open the locker room door, the scent lingers and it is possible to tell when this person was in an area up to 10 minutes previously. Not saying that you personally wear excessive scents, but it's just not a good idea in general.

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

I agree that it is tacky, not to mention inconsiderate, to reapply fragrance multiple times while at work. I like one light spritz of something classy while getting ready for work. I always make sure my makeup is tasteful and I take pride in my professional appearance and good grooming.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Nurses (healthcare workers in general actually) should not wear fragrances while working.

Persons with asthma/ airway issues /allergies are negatively impacted, and a patient who is nauseated may not take the same pleasure in your perfume as you do. Best to leave it for non-working days.

True story: An ED doc and I both ended up needing albuterol nebs after setting the leg of a lady wearing perfume once.

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Specializes in hospice.

Some patients have allergies. Others simply cannot tolerate specific types of scent or any scent at all.

Save the spritz for date night. When you're working you should have no scent.

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

All right, fair enough, ladies. The last thing I would ever want is to cause a patient to go into anaphylaxis. I do feel that a little bit of fragrance makes me more polished, more finished, and gives me some confidence. As a mental health nurse, I participate in forensic team meetings with clinicians and psychological examiners, so I always want to appear professional. Also, my facility is run by the state, so I like to feel professional and polished when the Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health makes his rounds. I am never heavy-handed with fragrance and I stick to high-end, classy scents (no vampy Victoria's Secret scents.) But perhaps it's time for me to put down the (perfume) bottle. Thank you for your comments.

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Specializes in ICU Stepdown.

I would stay away from perfume because of the above reasons but maybe you could try out different body washes that hold a smell? Or to try a deodorant that pleases you the way a perfume does. I don't think that you should have to completely cut off fragrances, just be super subtle with them. However, I am positive that there are fragrances that are easier on noses.

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My company forbids perfume.Too many people cannot tolerate it. Even obnoxious hairspray is banned along with scented hand sanitizer. I wear on my days off from work Givency Haute Couture. Been wearing it since 2001. They discontinued it for a brief period but it's back.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Here is a list of perfumes that I like:

1. Sensi by Giorgio Armani (discontinued)

2. Kors by Michael Kors (very strong)

3. Lovely Liquid Satin (a tad bit cloying)

4. L'Air Du Temps by Nina Ricci (my favorite)

5. Pure White Linen by Estee Lauder (my second favorite)

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I'll never forget the time I grabbed a tester bottle of Clinique Aromatics. Omgosh, I ran to the ladies room and tried to wash it off. The paint peeled off the toilet stalls. Very very strong.

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Specializes in LTC.

Some scents are triggers for others around you.....not that I don't appreciate people smelling nice. :up: You can't know how everyone will react to certain scents---so I just apply deodorant.:sarcastic: I can't even wear perfume at home.

We attended a funeral this week and just the light scent of some perfume/body spray was enough that it caused hubby to start coughing. I attended the reception after the funeral alone while hubby went home.

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

Yeah, in nursing school one of the first things they told us is "NO perfume or cologne!" That was in 1970! I was disappointed because there are several that I REALLY like to wear. However, after being in an elevator once where one lady was complimenting another on her cologne, I was thinking, at the same time, "Ugh! What an AWFUL cologne she's wearing."

The thing is, cologne and perfume scents are VERY subjective, and what you may think of as light and classy may strike another as nose-wrinkling and unpleasant. Sorry!

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