Capturing fumes and dust directly at the source is the only proven way to remove the highest percentage of airborne contaminants. If you place a room air cleaner in the corner, it would need “jet engine” power to pull heavy fumes and dust across the room. A general ambient system will only filter what actually reaches it.

That said, room air cleaners are an excellent supplement to a source capture system. They can help reduce overall background fumes and dust from activities like hair treatments or pedicures, where direct capture isn’t practical.

For best performance, we recommend one system per station. However, if two nail tables are within 5–6 feet of each other, a single system can serve both using our SPAOP2 dual-inlet cover option. Keep in mind that airflow performance will be slightly reduced when shared between stations.

All Salon Pure Air® systems use the same high-performance motor. The difference lies in the filtration stages designed for specific applications.

• For chemical fumes and dust collection: Choose the SPA1.

• For biological waste (pedicures, medi-spa services, etc.): Choose the SPA REV, which includes a HEPA filter along with two additional filtration stages.

• For IMC code compliance: Choose the SPA3, which includes an external exhaust collar and exhaust hose for proper ducting.

• For hair-service fumes and treatments: Choose the SPA-H.

• For extra air cleaning protection:  Choose the SPA AMB1.

If you have unique requirements or need help selecting the right system, our team is happy to assist. Call us at 800.236.1889.

The system operates quietly enough for normal conversation. It doesn’t produce the high-pitched, harsh sound you might hear from a Shop-Vac, hair dryer, or exhaust fan.

Yes. The Salon Pure Air® system can be positioned either vertically or horizontally. Just ensure the source-capture arm isn’t bent at too many angles, as this can reduce airflow.

Yes — our systems are built for continuous operation. The high-quality, precision-balanced motor has a 100,000-hour continuous duty rating, meaning it could run 24/7 for over 11 years without issue.

When drilling or filing nails, remove the bell-shaped hood from the source capture arm. This increases air flow velocity, allowing the system to collect more fine dust. For best results, turn the speed control all the way to the left (high setting), and be sure to position the arm roughly 6 inches from the hand you are working on.

The outlet deflector serves two key functions:

1. It directs the clean, filtered air downward — away from your legs.
2. It helps reduce the system’s overall sound level for a quieter salon environment.

The external exhaust collar and included hose are specifically designed to meet and exceed ventilation requirements outlined in the International Mechanical Code (IMC) for nail salons.

In modern nail salons, implementing local exhaust ventilation (LEV) using source capture technology is essential. These systems effectively reduce exposure to airborne contaminants such as ultra-fine particles, acetone, isopropyl alcohol, and formaldehyde, which can pose health risks to technicians and clients.

By capturing and exhausting fumes directly at their source, these systems ensure a healthier indoor environment and compliance with IMC ventilation standards.

Be sure to check our list of state regulations to see if your state requires you to comply with IMC Ventilation Standards.

Filter life varies depending on how often the system is used. Hair stylists and nail techs work different hours, so usage will differ.

• Prefilter: Clean once a week by removing and emptying it into the trash or vacuuming it with a Shop-Vac. Do not use water! Replace the prefilter when cleaning no longer restores strong suction.
• Carbon adsorption module or pad stack: Replace when odors are no longer being effectively reduced.
• Cell filter (for dust, especially with gel nails): Replace when suction remains weak even after changing the prefilter.

For best performance, we recommend one system per station. However, if two nail tables are within 5–6 feet of each other, a single system can serve both using our SPAOP2 dual-inlet cover option. Keep in mind that airflow performance will be slightly reduced when shared between stations.No. Our filters are custom-designed for Salon Pure Air® systems, using a proprietary blend of activated carbon and high-quality filter media. These specialized filters ensure the system performs at maximum efficiency and effectiveness. While you could find aftermarket filters that will fit into our systems, we highly recommend that you use the filter media the systems were designed with. Our research and development team spends countless hours evaluating different filter media to determine the best quality, efficiency, and fit for our systems. Also, the use of aftermarket filters will void the warranty on your system.

Yes! On the product page for your specific filter, just select how often you’d like replacements delivered and complete checkout. We’ll automatically bill and ship them on your schedule. You can update the delivery frequency or cancel anytime.

All of our Salon Pure Air® products are made in the USA and assembled and shipped from our warehouse in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We typically ship within 3-5 business days. If you require your order to be expedited, please feel free to contact us at 800.236.1889 and one of our sales representative would be happy to help.

The cost to ship a Salon Pure Air® system or filters will be calculated when you add the system to your cart and add your address. We offer a variety of shipping speeds to meet your needs.

You can sign up for an account during the checkout process by clicking on the checkbox when prompted. You can also create an account by clicking on “Account” in the menu above.

Signing up for an account, allows you to track your orders and reorder easily. All of your orders along with recurring filter orders will be saved in your account.

The tattooing process releases airborne particles, such as fine ink mist and biological aerosols, each time the needle punctures skin. Beyond that, tattoo ink fumes in the air contain VOCs from ink carriers and pigment solvents, while disinfectants and surface cleaners add another chemical layer. These contaminants are invisible but accumulate continuously throughout a busy workday, making active air filtration essential.

General airflow alone is not enough to meet tattoo shop ventilation requirements. Opening a window or running a basic fan just moves contaminated air around instead of filtering them out. A purpose-built system with proper filtration technology is the only solution that actually cleans the air rather than redistributing it.

The health risks for tattoo artists from poor air quality are cumulative and often underestimated. During multi-hour sessions, tattoo artist exposure to harmful chemicals adds up significantly over the course of a career. The health effects of poor ventilation in a tattoo studio can include chronic respiratory irritation, headaches, fatigue, and in cases of long-term exposure to tattoo fumes, more serious respiratory and systemic health concerns. Artists who work in well-ventilated studios consistently report feeling better and less fatigued after long days.

Source capture at a tattoo station means placing a filtration intake directly at the workstation, where it’s close enough to the source to intercept fumes and particles before they reach the artist’s or client’s breathing zone. This localized ventilation approach for tattoo studios is far more efficient than ambient-only systems, and point source extraction at each tattoo station ensures the highest level of protection right where the work happens.

The most effective air filtration for a tattoo shop uses a combination of technologies. HEPA filtration for tattoo studios captures fine particulate matter down to 0.3 microns. Activated carbon filtration addresses tattoo fumes by adsorbing VOCs and chemical odors that HEPA alone cannot trap. VOC filtration for tattoo studios is particularly important given the variety of ink solvents and disinfectants in use. Systems that layer both technologies, like those from Salon Pure Air®, deliver complete protection for artists and clients.

Tattoo studio OSHA ventilation obligations fall under the General Duty Clause, which requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards, including chemical and particulate exposure from inks and disinfectants. Beyond federal standards, tattoo shop air quality regulations vary by state and municipality, with many health codes for tattoo studio ventilation addressing air changes per hour and exhaust requirements. Studios should review their local health department requirements carefully, as compliance ventilation for tattoo shops is increasingly scrutinized during licensing inspections.

Tattoo studio layout ventilation should be planned so that contaminated air from one station doesn’t migrate to neighboring workspaces or common areas. Effective airflow design for a tattoo shop typically positions ventilation for multiple tattoo stations with individual source capture units at each workstation, supplemented by an ambient room purifier for overall air quality. Tattoo shop HVAC design should account for room size, ceiling height, number of active stations, and the types of products in use. Consulting with an air quality specialist before buildout is the best way to get the design right from day one.

Absolutely. Removing tattoo ink smell and eliminating disinfectant odor from a tattoo shop are two of the most noticeable benefits that clients and artists experience after installing a proper air system. Odor control in a tattoo studio requires activated carbon filtration, which chemically adsorbs the VOC-based odors that cause that noticeable studio smell. A quality air purifier for tattoo smells removes the compounds causing them, resulting in a space that feels noticeably cleaner and more welcoming to clients from the moment they walk in.

The best air purifier for a tattoo studio is one sized and configured for your specific space and workflow. A tattoo shop ventilation setup guide should start with the number of stations, square footage, and product types in use. These factors determine how much filtration capacity you need. When figuring out how to choose a tattoo air filtration system, look for units that combine HEPA and activated carbon filtration, are designed for continuous commercial use, and meet local code requirements. Factoring tattoo studio startup equipment for air quality into your initial build budget is far more cost-effective than retrofitting later.