Last updated on January 17th, 2023

The majority of self-applied cosmetics and at-home beauty products contain the minimum amount of potentially harmful ingredients. And they have typically undergone comprehensive testing, proving that they are safe for single usage.

But in a setting like a beauty parlor, hair salon, or nail salon things are different…

In contrast to one-time uses at home, these products are repeatedly applied in a beauty salon setting throughout the day, evaporating and producing hazardous fumes and vapors.

Salon staff, beauty technicians, and (to a much lesser extent) their clients are left to suffer the effects of those toxins if the gases are not properly removed from the air.

What Products Used in a Salon Contain Harmful Particles?

The answer: almost everything! The list has:

  • Hair dyes and bleaches
  • Shampoos
  • Hairstyling products and permanent wave solutions
  • Nail enamels and hardeners
  • Nail polishes, nail polish removers and solvents
  • Nail tips and wraps
  • Acrylic and gel nail systems
  • Peroxides
  • Brow and lash tints
  • Chemical peels
  • Wax solvents
  • Keratin treatments
  • Cleaning products and disinfectants

These are just a few of the goods that can contain dangerous chemicals. Both short-term and long-term contact with the substances as well as breathing in their fumes can be harmful to you.

The majority of these substances emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as fumes. If the fumes aren’t removed, your breathing will carry them into your lungs. Your respiratory system and lungs could be impacted by prolonged exposure. Some of these have been linked to cancer.

Short-term contact is not hazardous unless is an individual is exposed to very harsh chemicals, like those found in cleaning products. However, even milder chemicals can be harmful if they come in contact with your eyes.

However, for employees at beauty salons long exposure to these products may lead to health issues.

What Chemicals You Can Find in Beauty Salons?

The list of chemicals found in beauty salons is large. Here are most common chemicals found in most hair, nail and other beauty salons:

  • Formaldehyde
  • Dibutyle Phthalate
  • Trichloroethylene
  • Diethanoamine (DEA)
  • Parabens
  • Naphtha
  • Styrene
  • Methyl Methacrylate and Ethyl Methacrylate
  • Ammonium Persulfate
  • Acetone, Methyl Ethyl Ketone, Toluene, and Xylene solvens
  • Ethylene glycol
  • Sodium Laureth Sulphate / Sodium Lauryl Sulphate
  • Propylene Glycol

Long-term exposure to these chemicals may lead to cancer, dizziness, irritate your throat, headaches, weakness, vomiting, color vision or hearing loss, unconsciousness, dermatitis and many other health issues.

To prevent any of this from happening the air must be cleaned constantly and a good air purifier can do the job of cleaning the air from harmful particles, fumes and VOCs. But how do you know which one to buy?

I’ve got you covered! Down below is the list of the 5 best air purifiers for beauty salons that remove chemicals, fumes and odors (including acrylic smell) from the air and keep it clean for the whole day.

Alen BreatheSmart 75i: Best Overall

Room Coverage:
650 sq. ft.
CADR:
347 CFM
Filter Life:
12 months
Replacement Filter:
Check Price
Noise Level:
25 - 49 dB
Power:
1.8 - 45W
Dimensions (LxWxH):
11.5" x 18.5" x 27"
Weight
27 pounds

Click Here for More Specs & Full Review

Alen BreatheSmart 75i air purifier within 30 minutes can clean 1,300 square foot space. The 3.6 pounds of activated carbon also reduces respiratory issues by soaking up the hazardous chemical vapors (like acrylic fumes) in the air. Over 0.1 micron-sized airborne particles are successfully captured in 99.99 percent of cases by the HEPA filter.

The Alen portable air purifier uses a laser smart sensor to detect airborne particles and automatically modify the purifier settings. Any of the five available speed settings can be chosen.

In addition, this air cleaner has a built-in ionizer that helps filters to catch smaller particles and at the same time it freshens the air.

The five air quality colors also represent the salon’s air quality. For instance, the colors blue and green mean excellent, good, and low air quality, respectively. Last but not least, the lifetime warranty guarantees a reliable and secure investment if you subscribe for filter delivery at the official store.

Airpura P700: Best Commercial Air Purifier for Beauty Salons

Room Coverage:
1200 sq. ft.
CADR:
635 CFM
Filter Life:
36 months
Replacement Filter:
Check Price
Noise Level:
30.2 - 63 dB
Power:
120W
Dimensions (HxWxD):
23" x 15" x 15"
Weight
42 pounds

Airpura P700 is the best commercial air purifier for your beauty salon if you want to safeguard the clients and employees from VOCs, fumes and chemical particles. The air purifier can be used in a big salon studio that is up to 2,000 square feet in size.

With a daily operating cost of just $0.40, this air purifier provides a budget-friendly way to avoid health risks.

The Airpura P700 uses a large, 18-pound Activated carbon filter that absorbs harmful particles, odors, and VOCs. In addition to it, the HEPA filter removes remaining fine particles of allergens, dust and bacteria, while the washable pre-filter extends the life of other filters.

This air purifier also features a UV-C lamp to inactivate viruses and bacteria. This way you can keep your beauty salon free from smells, chemicals and viruses at the same time.

Coway Airmega 400S: Air Purifier w/Wi-Fi Support

Room Coverage:
731 sq. ft.
CADR:
350 CFM
Filter Life:
12 months
Replacement Filter:
Check Price
Noise Level:
22 - 52 dB
Power:
6.2 - 66W
Dimensions (HxWxD):
22.7" x 14.8" x 14.8"
Weight
pounds

Coway Airmega 400s smart HEPA air purifier is a high-end air purifier made for salons that have an area between 730 and 1,560 square feet. In a 730 sq. ft. area it cleans the air four times an hour and in 1,560 sq. ft. areas two times an hour.

This cutting-edge air purifier combines an activated carbon filter with a True HEPA filter. It consequently absorbs 99.99% of the allergens, pollutants, and small particles down to 0.01 microns. Additionally, it successfully reduces NH3 and CH3CHO emissions as well as 99 percent of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Real-time air quality monitoring is one of the Coway Airmega air purifier’s biggest benefits. You can tell whether the air inside is pure or contaminated by a ring of vibrant LED lights. And controlling this machine is easy peasy – just connect it to your smartphone or tablet via Wi-Fi and you’re set.

The five available fan modes are smart, sleep, medium, low, and high. Fortunately, there won’t be any distractions or discomfort because the noise level at the highest setting is only 52 dB.

Smart Health Blast: Best Air Purifier for Extra-Large Beauty Salons

Room Coverage:
2500 sq. ft.
CADR:
455 - 1360 CFM
Filter Life:
22 months
Replacement Filter:
Check Price
Noise Level:
29 - 48 dB
Power:
67 - 140W
Dimensions (HxLxW):
48.4" x 22.6" x 13"
Weight
69 pounds

Smart Health Blast is your option for 2,500 square feet (and bigger!) hair or nail salon. This air purifier is equipped with a powerful fan that can generate an extremely high airflow of 1360 CFM – that’s one of the highest ever for a portable air purifier – to keep chemicals, VOCs and bacteria at bay and prevent them from spreading around the salon.

Considering its abilities to circulate and clean the air, the price seems too good to not get one of these machines for your beauty salon. The Smart Health Blast doesn’t have any smart functions and it just does the job of keeping the salon’s employees and visitors active and healthy.

Tracs TM500: Best Ceiling-Mounted Air Purifier for Beauty Salons

Room Coverage:
1800 sq. ft.
CADR:
500 CFM
Filter Life:
up to 5 years
Replacement Filter:
Check Price
Noise Level:
64 dB
Dimensions (WxLxD):
23.6 x 23.6" x 17"
Weight
49 pounds

Click Here for More Specs & Full Review

Tracs TM500 is your best option if a HEPA ceiling-mounted air purifier is considered. This one doesn’t take space on the floor and can be put in the 2×2 drop ceiling whereas controls are mounted onto the wall.

The unit utilizes a hospital-grade HEPA filter that effectively removes chemical particles, allergens, dust, mold and other harmful bacteria with a help of pre-filter and UV-C germicidal lamps.

It also can be used as an air scrubber or a negative air machine.

Made in the US from quality materials, this machine is built to last for decades. The manufacturer also provides a 5-year warranty for the whole unit.

So, What Air Purifier for Your Beauty Salon You Should Get?

For salons over 2,500 square feet in size, I recommend buying the Smart Health Blast air purifier. It quickly and efficiently removes acrylic smell, VOCs and other chemicals.

For smaller salons, the Alen BreatheSmart 75i or Coway Airmega 400S will do the job.

The Tracs TM500 covers an entire area of the salon, but it cannot be used right after buying one and needs a proper installation. However, it also acts as an air scrubber and sanitizer, so if you also want a virus-free area in your beauty salon, this air purifier is the right choice.

Airpura P700 is the best commercial air purifier for salons to remove smells, VOCs, germs and chemicals.