Why We Make Our Scrub Caps From 100% Cotton
Research shows your choice of fabric matters more than you might think — especially when you're wearing it for 12-hour shifts, week after week, year after year.
The Short Answer
When we started Medicus Caps, we had one non-negotiable: our scrub caps had to be made from 100% cotton. Not a poly-cotton blend. Not "mostly cotton". Pure, natural cotton.
The reason? Beyond comfort and sustainability, there's peer-reviewed research showing that polyester textiles can actually inhibit hair growth. And when you're wearing a scrub cap for extended periods — often 8 to 12 hours per shift, multiple times per week, for an entire career — that matters.
The bottom line: Cotton and wool textiles showed no negative effects on hair growth in controlled studies. Polyester significantly reduced both hair growth rate and density, and caused visible damage to hair follicles at the microscopic level.
The Research
A study published in the journal Dermatology investigated the effect of different textile fabrics on hair growth. The methodology was straightforward: researchers covered shaved areas of skin with patches made from different materials and monitored the results over two months.
Polyester but not cotton or wool textiles inhibit hair growth
Shafik A. Dermatology. 1993;187(4):239-42. PMID: 8274779
Key findings:
Polyester-covered skin showed significantly lower hair growth rate and density compared to uncovered skin (p < 0.01). Cotton and wool showed no significant difference from uncovered skin (p > 0.05).
Microscopic examination revealed that polyester caused thinning of the epidermis and fragmentation and vacuolation of hair follicle pulp — actual structural damage to the hair-producing cells.
Why Does Polyester Cause This?
The researchers identified the mechanism: electrostatic charges. When polyester fabric rubs against skin, it generates static electricity — that same static you feel when taking off a fleece jumper.
This friction creates what the researchers describe as an "electrostatic field" against the scalp. Over time, this appears to damage the hair follicles themselves, leading to reduced hair growth and density.
Cotton and wool, being natural fibres, don't generate these electrostatic charges. They sit against the skin without creating that constant low-level irritation.
⚠️ What about poly-cotton blends?
The study also tested a 50/50 polyester-cotton blend. While the full results for blends weren't detailed in the abstract, the inclusion suggests that partial polyester content may still carry risk. If you want to be certain you're protecting your scalp, 100% natural fibres are the safest choice.
Why This Matters for Theatre Staff
Think about the cumulative exposure. A consultant surgeon who operates three days per week, wearing a cap for an average of 6 hours per session, accumulates over 900 hours of cap-wearing time per year. Over a 30-year career, that's more than 27,000 hours with fabric pressed against the scalp.
Most disposable scrub caps are made from polypropylene or polyester-based materials. Many cheaper reusable alternatives use poly-cotton blends to reduce costs. When you're wearing something against your head for that many hours, the material choice stops being trivial.
Cotton vs Polyester: The Comparison
✓ 100% Cotton
- No effect on hair growth
- No electrostatic charge buildup
- Breathable and moisture-wicking
- Naturally hypoallergenic
- Biodegradable at end of life
- Gets softer with each wash
✗ Polyester
- Inhibits hair growth rate
- Reduces hair density
- Generates static electricity
- Damages hair follicle structure
- Thins the epidermis over time
- Made from petroleum products
Our Commitment
Every Medicus scrub cap is made from 100% cotton. It's not just better for the environment — though it absolutely is — it's better for you. Your scalp. Your hair. Your comfort over those long shifts.
We believe the people who spend their careers caring for others deserve products that care for them in return. That starts with choosing the right materials, backed by science, not just cost savings.
Ready to Make the Switch?
Join thousands of healthcare professionals who've chosen cotton scrub caps that protect both the planet and their hair.
Shop Cotton Scrub Caps
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