Bouffants and hairnets are single-use, lightweight, breathable hair/head covers designed to prevent contamination in hygienic work environments. The size of a bouffant and hairnet is measured based on the diameter of the head and ranges anywhere from 18 to 28 inches. General purpose bouffants and hairnets are used in a variety of industries, including, but not limited to food service, food packaging, food processing, healthcare, dental, pharmaceutical, janitorial, manufacturing, and research. Note that bouffants and hairnets are not surgical headwear.

General purpose bouffant caps do not have any openings and completely cover the hair, scalp, and ears to minimize skin and hair shedding. There are several different styles, including flat (non-pleated) bouffants, pleated bouffants, mob caps, combination bouffant and beard covers, clip caps, charlotte caps, and peaked bouffant caps. Bouffant caps are made of fabric such as polypropylene, nylon, and SMS (spunbond polypropylene, meltblown polypropylene) and secure around the head with elastic. Common colors are white or blue, but they are also available in bright colors to help with compliance checks and/or color coding within certain environments.

Hairnets are made from nylon or polyester mesh material that forms a webbing effect (honeycomb design) with openings called apertures. They are an economical alternative to bouffants and are designed to keep hair out of the wearer’s eyes and face, as well as preventing hair from being a contaminant. They are offered in colors similar to human hair color to camouflage use, so they are not as noticeable.

Regulatory compliance details can be obtained at the individual product level.