Last Updated on November 23, 2022 by amy
Cellulose acetate is widely known for being one of the best types of materials to use for hypoallergenic eyeglasses, and as a result the majority of the frames offered on Classic Specs are made from this material.
Although this material isn’t the only thing to consider when looking for a perfect pair of hypoallergenic eyeglasses, you certainly can’t go wrong with cellulose acetate, as it is non-reactive and can be worn for an extended period of time without causing nose or face rashes like many other materials can.
Cellulose acetate is made from an organic and sustainable material and offers several distinct benefits that should be considered for anyone looking for a good pair of high quality and durable non-reactive glasses
Cellulose acetate doesn’t react with skin
Allergies to eyeglass frames result when the material used to construct the frame is reactive with the skin. Some materials such as nickel and certain types of plastics or other metals can cause skin reactivity when the material is partially dissolved by the skin’s natural enzymes at the molecular level.
Symptoms can range from rashes, to irritation, blisters, and other uncomfortable effects. Reactive materials can cause a skin reaction within minutes, while others can wear their frames for a longer period of time but eventually also still have some kind of skin reaction. Cellulose acetate has the major benefit of not reacting with the skin no matter how long you wear it.
Cellulose acetate is durable
It just so happens that many of the materials that are reactive with the skin also happen to be some of the lower quality materials used for eyeglasses. They frequently break down within weeks or months of usage, especially materials like cheap plastic or low quality metal eyeglasses.
Cellulose acetate, particularly premium Italian cellulose acetate, has the additional benefit of being far more durable than many other types of materials. As long as the frames are not abused and routine maintenance is performed, they can often last for several years. Even if the material is slightly bent or deformed it springs right back to its original state, and it’s comfortable to wear for an extended period of time.
Many people will allergies recover with cellulose acetate eyeglasses
Those who have suffered from allergies related to their eyeglass frames will often put up with it for too long before switching, because the reactivity can vary from one person to another. Some people only get slight red lines on their face which can disappear quickly, while others can break out with a larger rash and will need to make a switch to hypoallergenic eyeglasses sooner.
Many of those who switch to cellulose acetate eyeglasses notice an immediate difference. They are able to comfortably wear their eyeglasses for several hours without any symptoms at all. Those who have more serious allergies notice the most dramatic difference with cellulose acetate. They are also often lighter in weight than many other materials so they are easier to wear throughout the day.
