How to Control Odors in the Salon
Controlling the odor in the salon should be a priority for any nail technician.
At the close of 2008, we polled nail technicians from across the world and asked them what their clients’ biggest complaints were. Over 350 people responded to our survey and odor in the nail salon was mentioned pretty much across the board. This survey told us that controlling the odor in the salon should be a priority for any nail technician.
Odors are caused by vapors in the air. Rapidly evaporating liquids give off large amounts of vapor. The amount of odor is directly related to how quickly a liquid evaporates. That being said, preventing the rapid evaporation of liquids can lower the odor in the environment. How is this done?
First and foremost, an extraction ventilation system is truly the best because it will extract dust, vapors and other tiny particles and drive them outside where they can dissipate into the air. Not only will this improve the presence of odors, but it will keep you from inhaling dust, vapors, etc. For more details on proper ventilation, consult the Nail Manufacturer’s Council.
Use fresh monomer for approximately every other client or every client. Place it in a dappen dish with a lid, to keep evaporation to a minimum. Large pump dispensers are not recommended since their flap lid will allow vapors/odors to escape. A monomer can lose effectiveness when chemical properties are allowed to escape and evaporate. Keep all products properly sealed and capped in their original containers or an airtight container.
Properly dispose of unused monomer. Place all soiled paper towels, client towels and nail wipes used to clean your brush in a plastic bag placed in a trash receptacle. Keep a lid on all trash receptacles and take out the trash every evening.
Choose your nail liquids wisely. Attraction Nail Liquid was formulated to evaporate slower, therefore expelling lower odor. There are also aroma-free monomers, such as Spa Nail Liquid. UV gels are also aroma-free.
In a nut shell, work in a well ventilated area and practice good “salon housekeeping”.