Green Or Blue Scrubs Over White

scrubWhy do health care professionals wear blue or green scrubs rather than any other colours? Although white is the color of cleanliness, in the early 20th century doctors switched their scrub’s colour from white to green. It’s been known that green or blue colours are easier on a surgeon’s eyes and help doctors to see better in the operating room due the opposite of red on the color wheel.

Looking at blue or green can refresh a one’s vision of red things, especially during surgery. If a surgeon looks at something red, he becomes desensitized to it. The red colour signal in the brain actually fades, and this could make the surgery difficult. Looking at something green will make the eyes more sensitive to red. By wearing a green scrub, doctors can also eliminate a green illusion of the blood (“after effect” illusion due to red).

Photo Source: www.spmh.org