Salon Pure Air

Nail techs and salon owners: does your ventilation setup actually meet code — or just feel like it does?

The International Mechanical Code (IMC) has specific requirements for nail service ventilation, and general HVAC alone usually isn't enough. Here's the quick gut-check:

✅ 50 CFM minimum of continuous exhaust airflow per manicure station
✅ Source capture within 12 inches of the service area — close enough to catch dust, fumes, and vapors before they reach your breathing zone
✅ Proper filtration for VOCs and fine particulates, with no re-circulation of untreated air
✅ Source capture that works independently of your general HVAC, without sacrificing comfort
✅ Documentation — manufacturer specs that confirm CFM per station, ready for inspection

Bottom line: if you can't show 50 CFM per station with an inlet within 12" of the work area, you may be out of compliance — no matter how good your room's general airflow is.

That's exactly why Salon Pure Air® systems are built around source capture: localized exhaust at each station that helps salons, tattoo studios, and medi-spas meet (and exceed) IMC standards — for a healthier, more professional space.

Questions about your setup? Reach out — we're happy to help you check the boxes.

Full Guide:

IMC Nail Salon Ventilation Compliance Checklist - Salon Pure Air IMC nail salon ventilation standards require 50 CFM per station. See why source capture is the safest, most compliant solution.

Did you know? Medi-spa treatments like laser hair removal, chemical peels, and microneedling don't just deliver amazing results — they also release fine particles, VOCs, and fumes that standard HVAC systems just aren't built to handle.

That's where source capture ventilation comes in. By pulling contaminants away right at the treatment site — and pairing it with HEPA + activated carbon filtration — medi-spas can knock out odors, chemical vapors, and airborne particles before they ever reach staff or clients.

The result? A cleaner, safer, more professional space that protects your team, reassures your clients, and reflects the medical-grade standard your business is built on.

Clean air isn't a luxury in a medi-spa — it's part of the experience. 💨🧴



Full article:

Medi-Spa Environments: Protecting Staff and Clients Through Proper Ventilation - Salon Pure Air Medi-spa ventilation systems with HEPA and charcoal filtration help control laser fumes, chemical vapors, and airborne biological contaminants.

A luxury salon experience goes beyond the chair ✨

From first impressions to long-term loyalty, salon air quality can influence how clients feel during and after their appointment. Our latest blog takes a closer look at why odor control matters more than many salon owners think.

Inside the blog:

• The connection between clean air and client comfort
• Why some clients are more sensitive to salon odors
• How odor control supports a premium salon experience

Take a look: https://www.salonpureair.com/salon/how-salon-odor-control-builds-client-loyalty/

How Salon Odor Control Builds Client Loyalty - Salon Pure Air Salon Pure Air’s multi-stage filtration systems use prefilters, activated carbon, and HEPA filtration to remove dust, odors, and chemical vapors.

Designing Your Salon? Don't Forget the Air.

Lighting, cabinetry, seating — you plan every detail of your salon's look. Air quality deserves the same attention.

Source capture ventilation removes chemical fumes and particulates right at the point of release, instead of waiting for them to circulate through the room. And the best part? Freestanding, caster-based systems (like our SPA-H) move with your workflow — no ductwork, no construction, no rebuilding your space around a machine.

Open-plan salon? Roll a unit to whichever chair is active.
Booth-style stations? A compact footprint tucks right in beside the chair.
Color bar? Two-unit setup covers both mixing and processing phases.

Clean air isn't just a health standard — it's a design detail that tells clients (and your team) that you've thought of everything.

Ready for an air quality makeover? Reach out to talk through your salon's ventilation options.



Full guide:

Salon Station Setup Guide for Clean Air and Great Design - Salon Pure Air Salon Pure Air’s multi-stage filtration systems use prefilters, activated carbon, and HEPA filtration to remove dust, odors, and chemical vapors.

Air Quality Alert: Wildfire smoke is affecting the Midwest and Northeast right now.

The AMB1 uses 7-stage filtration to capture smoke, dust, and airborne particles — so the air you’re breathing at home doesn’t match the air quality outside.

Shop the AMB1 on Amazon!

Extract-All Air Purifier and Humidifier -HEPA with 7-Stage Filtration, UV Light, 24 dB Sleep Mode, and LED Indicator For Bedroom Kitchen Removes 99.97% Bacteria Fume Extraction & Source Capture Extract-All Air Purifier and Humidifier -HEPA with 7-Stage Filtration, UV Light, 24 dB Sleep Mode, and LED Indicator For Bedroom Kitchen Removes 99.97% Bacteria Fume Extraction & Source Capture

When Does Your Fume Extractor Filter Need Replacement?

A fume extractor is only as effective as the filter inside it. A unit running with a saturated or clogged filter is not protecting anyone, and in a busy salon environment, filters wear out faster than you might expect. To keep your system operating at its best, it’s crucial to recognize the signs of a used up filter, understand the replacement timeline, and stay on top of maintenance before air quality suffers.



Read the full guide here:

When Does Your Fume Extractor Filter Need Replacement? - Salon Pure Air Salon Pure Air’s multi-stage filtration systems use prefilters, activated carbon, and HEPA filtration to remove dust, odors, and chemical vapors.

Is Your Salon's Air Quality Putting Your Team's Health at Risk?

Every fill, gel removal, and buffing session kicks up dust — and a lot of it is fine enough to stay airborne, circulating through the salon well after the appointment ends.

The particles from e-file drills are often small enough to reach deep into the lungs, and they're usually mixed with acrylic monomers, gel photoinitiators, and other vapors — a daily exposure load for techs who are in it for full shifts.

Masks help the individual wearer, but they don't clear the air for anyone else in the room, and general ventilation only dilutes dust after it's already spread.

Source capture — pulling air (and dust) away right at the nail table, ideally paired with activated carbon filtration for the chemical side — deals with it before it ever reaches anyone's lungs.

Good air quality is good business: better for your techs, better for clients, easier on compliance.



Read the full breakdown here:

How To Protect Your Salon from Nail Dust Inhalation Risks - Salon Pure Air Salon Pure Air’s multi-stage filtration systems use prefilters, activated carbon, and HEPA filtration to remove dust, odors, and chemical vapors.

Face masks don’t stop "Keratin Cough." Here’s why.

If you’re a stylist or salon owner, you know the feeling: the tickle in the throat, watery eyes, or lingering cough after a smoothing treatment.

Many professionals reach for a surgical mask or an N95 mask, but there's a problem: formaldehyde is a gas, not a particle. Standard masks are designed to trap dust and aerosols, but gas passes right through them.

In our latest blog, we break down:
✅ Why "room air purifiers" often miss the mark.
✅ The science of gaseous formaldehyde exposure.
✅ Why "Source Capture" is the only true gold standard for salon safety.

Don't settle for a "normal" part of the job that could be affecting your long-term health.

Full breakdown here: https://www.salonpureair.com/hair/why-your-face-mask-isnt-enough-to-stop-the-keratin-cough/

Most people don’t think about what’s in the air during a manicure, color treatment, or tattoo session. But the products used every day in salons contain a mix of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and fine particulates. These VOCs evaporate rapidly but linger in indoor air—especially in busy salons where constant product use keeps chemical concentrations high.

Long-term, repeated exposure to salon chemicals and dust can contribute to:

• Nose, throat, and eye irritation
• Headaches and dizziness
• Skin and respiratory discomfort
• Increased sensitivity to chemicals
• Chronic respiratory issues in severe cases

Technicians are at the highest risk because they sit closest to the source—often for 8–10 hours a day. Clients may only be exposed occasionally, but beauty professionals breathe this air every single shift.

Our Salon Pure Air line of Source Capture Systems eliminates pollutants before you ever breathe them. To safeguard your workplace and ensure your IAQ is healthy for all employees and guests, contact a Salon Pure Air specialist today for a free indoor air quality assessment.

Understanding Salon Chemicals: What’s Really in the Air? - Salon Pure Air From nail salons and hair studios to medi-spas and tattoo shops, professional beauty environments rely on a wide range of products that help create beautiful results—but also release airborne contaminants. Many of these invisible chemicals and particles accumulate in the breathing zone, right wher...

How does Source Capture work? There is a science behind it!

The Science Behind Source Capture: How It Actually Works - Salon Pure Air Unlike room air purifiers—which attempt to filter what eventually drifts their way—source capture removes airborne pollutants before they have a chance to circulate. It’s proactive, targeted, and scientifically proven to protect both beauty professionals and clients from unnecessary exposure.