Most of us have probably come across a pet grooming shop, especially if we own a pet ourselves. These shops are now quite common in many towns and cities. They offer essential services for keeping our pets clean and looking good. These services cover basic tasks such as bathing, brushing fur and clipping nails, along with more comprehensive grooming for dogs, cats and even exotic and less common pets like ferrets, guinea pigs and rabbits.
Above all, it is important to recognise that pet grooming isn’t just about making our furry friends look good; it’s also about keeping them mentally and physically healthy. In some way, therefore, grooming shops also play a very important role in maintaining the overall health of our pets.
With the evolution of the grooming industry, specialists in the field now provide a wide range of services. These include
- Stripping: removing dead hair, particularly for dogs with medium to long and thick coats;
- Trimming: essential for maintaining the health and appearance of dogs;
- Washing with ionised water: using antibacterial properties able to promote the skin’s regeneration process thanks to its hygienic, anti-inflammatory and healing characteristics;
- Medical or dermatological baths: using disinfectants to address specific skin conditions
- Conditioning with specific products;
- Ear cleaning;
- Knot removal;
- And many other services.
The groomer‘s role is, therefore, quite complex, involving the acquisition of specialised skills, the use of specific tools and equipment, and the application of professional treatments and substances. Consequently, pet groomers must wear appropriate clothing and personal protective equipment to safeguard their own health and that of the animals undergoing various treatments.
What types of strains do groomers’ hands endure, and what hazards are they exposed to?
When performing their daily tasks, the hands of groomers are inevitably exposed to numerous strains. This includes handling shampoos, grooming products, water and chemicals, as well as direct contact with animal skin and hair (and sometimes even faeces and urine, especially if the animal is anxious or frightened) – just to name a few!
Added to all this are the risks associated with handling animals suffering from dermatological conditions like fungal, parasitic or atopic dermatitis, seborrhoea, food allergies and even sarcoptic mange.
These conditions can lead to skin irritations, rashes, allergies, skin cracking and other dermatological issues for groomers. To address these risks, it’s essential to use specialised professional gloves. These gloves serve as personal protective equipment, and in many cases, they are disposable and help minimise the risk of contamination and transmission of pathogens from animals to staff and between animals.
What features should grooming gloves have?
In order to maintain optimal safety and hygiene when carrying out their tasks, pet groomers should wear professional gloves specifically designed to provide protection and comfort. Moreover, quality gloves for grooming tasks should offer:
- Resistance: they should be made of strong, durable materials capable of effectively withstanding wear and tear while also protecting the skin from contact with external agents.
- Waterproofness: grooming gloves must be waterproof to safeguard the hands from water and other liquids used during bathing and grooming sessions.
- High tactile sensitivity: professional grooming gloves should allow operators to handle instruments, products and animals with ease and precision and, therefore, should offer excellent tactile sensitivity.
- Comfort: since grooming tasks often involve prolonged glove use, they should be comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.
- Hypoallergenic properties: grooming gloves should be made of hypoallergenic materials to minimise the risk of allergic reactions in both operators and animals.
Why should pet grooming shops always use high-quality gloves?
Pet grooming shops should always use professional gloves in their daily operations and avoid performing any activities with bare hands.
High-quality grooming gloves offer numerous advantages to both groomers and animals. These include:
- Hand protection: professional gloves protect the hands from chemicals, water and other irritants commonly used in grooming, reducing the risk of skin irritation and allergies.
- Safety and hygiene: professional gloves help maintain high hygiene standards during grooming sessions, minimising the risk of transmitting bacteria and diseases between animals and groomers, as well as between one animal and another.
- Comfort and well-being: well-designed and comfortable gloves enhance the overall comfort of pet groomers during long workdays, allowing them to focus on the well-being of the animals in their care without discomfort or worry.
Reflexx, a leader in the design, manufacture, and marketing of work gloves for various professional activities, offers groomers an extensive range of solutions to enhance the safety and efficiency of their tasks.
Reflexx professional gloves for pet grooming shops
For pet grooming shops, Reflexx provides two product lines tailored to the diverse tasks performed daily by animal hygiene and beauty specialists.
The Medical and laboratory gloves offered are disposable solutions that ensure the highest safety standards because they are certified to comply with European Regulation 2017/745 (Reference standards EN 455, parts 1,2, 3 and 4) concerning Medical Devices, as well as European Regulation 2016/425 concerning Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the workplace. These high-quality gloves have a comfortable fit and boast high tactile sensitivity, ensuring maximum resistance even in the most minimal thicknesses (while also available in thicker options). They are made of a variety of materials including natural latex, nitrile, vinyl and polyethylene, and are available with or without powder.
Groomers can also use medical gloves to safely handle medical-surgical aids (like chlorhexidine) during tasks such as therapeutic baths for animals with dermatological issues.
However, for regular washing tasks and the handling of animal hair, Reflexx recommends the use of professional gloves for hairdressers. These gloves are designed to effectively protect operators from chemical agents, such as shampoos, conditioners, detergents and soaps, which could alter the skin’s lipid layer. For this purpose, gloves are available in various materials (nitrile-polyethylene and latex) and come in lengths extending up to the sleeve to prevent water or detergents from penetrating the glove. Discover all the models offered by Reflexx in the dedicated section.
Would you like advice on choosing the best professional gloves for your pet grooming needs? Get in touch with us. We’ll be happy to help you in any way we can.
