Disposable gloves are generally classified into three types: latex, vinyl, and nitrile. Each material has unique properties that make it best suited for specific tasks. Next, we'll go over each type of glove and assist you in selecting the best type of glove for your spa and salon and services. Here we go... Latex vs Nitrile vs Vinyl Gloves:
WHAT ARE LATEX GLOVES?
Latex gloves are made of latex, which is a soft white substance found beneath the bark of mature rubber trees.
Latex, when used to make gloves, provides superior levels of infection protection, flexibility, and comfort to the wearer. They are also extremely sensitive to touch.
Latex gloves are used for any procedure or task that necessitates the aforementioned benefits of flexibility, protection, comfort, and sensitivity. The main disadvantage of using latex gloves is that a proportion of the general population has a sensitivity - or even an allergy - to latex. This allergy usually causes itchiness or the appearance of hives on the skin, but some people are extremely allergic and can develop anaphylaxis.
WHAT ARE NITRILE GLOVES?
Nitrile gloves are made of a substance known as "nitrile," which is a synthetic rubber blend of acrylonitrile and butadiene. It is not a naturally occurring substance, unlike latex. Nitrile disposable gloves are not quite as flexible or elastic as latex gloves, and they do not provide quite the same levels of touch sensitivity. They are, however, more long-lasting and protective.
Nitrile gloves are typically free of latex and powder. As a result, they are frequently used for clients who are allergic to latex. They're also frequently used in situations where wearers require the added durability or strength of nitrile.
WHAT ARE VINYL GLOVES?
Vinyl gloves are made of vinyl, also known as polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, which is a synthetic material composed of ethylene and chlorine. Although vinyl gloves are not typically used for people who need to handle hazardous chemicals or work in a biomedical setting, they are an effective option for general-purpose tasks.
Vinyl gloves are extremely stretchy and comfortable, with enhanced tactile capability that allows beauty professionals to feel what they're working on. They can withstand punctures, overstretching, and general wear and tear while protecting against the majority of substances. As a result, vinyl gloves are an excellent choice for beauty professionals, and due to their low cost, they are frequently used as low-cost latex alternatives when users have a latex allergy.
LATEX VS NITRILE VS VINYL GLOVES - WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
Gloves made of nitrile or latex differ from one another in terms of sensitivity and durability. There's no denying that latex gloves provide you with a better feel and touch than nitrile gloves in circumstances where you need a lot of touch sensitivity. Conversely, nitrile gloves are a more robust option.
Vinyl is a little less durable glove option because it tends to degrade more quickly than latex or nitrile. However, vinyl gloves continue to be effective for nail techs, and estheticians, and for cleaning and disinfecting the salon. Hair colorists can also wear vinyl gloves, however, to provide constant protection, we advise frequently replacing the gloves.
There is, however, a significant qualification. You must have a non-latex alternative on hand if you need latex-free gloves because someone who will be in contact with the gloves has a latex sensitivity or allergy. Although vinyl gloves tend to be less durable than nitrile ones, you can still get similar protection by changing them frequently. Nitrile and vinyl gloves can both be good solutions. Having nitrile or vinyl choices on hand to accommodate clients with latex allergies is a crucial factor for ensuring a positive client experience in your salon, even though investing in multiple types of gloves may be more expensive.
WHAT ARE THE BEST TYPE OF DISPOSABLE GLOVES FOR NAIL TECHS?
Disposable nitrile gloves are the ideal type of gloves for nail technicians. Nail technicians are better off with the extra durability and safety provided by nitrile gloves because they require a higher level of protection owing to infections and sharp objects. It bears repeating that, in order to lower the danger of infection to subsequent clients, the best nitrile gloves for nail technicians are also completely disposable. Nitrile gloves for nail professionals shouldn't ever be put back on.
WHAT ARE THE BEST TYPE OF DISPOSABLE GLOVES FOR HAIR COLORISTS?
Disposable gloves that are 100% nitrile and latex-free are the best for coloring hair. Nitrile gloves for hairdressers provide additional protection, more than making up for a little reduction in touch sensitivity when compared to latex gloves. You should definitely choose the more protective alternative for your hair coloring gloves as you frequently handle chemicals. Not to mention that doing so will prevent customers who are allergic or sensitive to latex from reacting to the latex in latex gloves.
WHAT ARE THE BEST TYPE OF DISPOSABLE GLOVES FOR MAKEUP ARTISTS?
100% latex gloves are the ideal makeup gloves for makeup artists (with one significant exception, which we'll mention shortly). When compared to nitrile, latex offers greater sensitivity, making it the material of choice for makeup artist gloves everywhere.
The one and most significant, exception to this rule is if either you or your client is known to be sensitive to or allergic to latex. If so, you should switch to a glove made entirely of nitrile and without latex.
Latex vs Nitrile vs Vinyl Gloves
