All about exhaust ventilation

Exhaust vs. general ventilation

When we talk about improving the air in a salon, you often encounter two terms: exhaust and ventilation. Here’s the difference:

Ventilation

• Typical general air circulation that brings fresh air in from outside and removes “used” air particles.
• Can be an integrated system in the building, e.g. in the ceiling.
• Provides a more comfortable indoor climate, but doesn’t necessarily remove vapors or particles.

Exhaust (Local extraction)

• A more targeted solution where an extraction arm is placed right where the pollution or vapor occurs (e.g. at color mixing, perming, or directly above a washing station).
• Ensures that chemical vapors, aerosols and other harmful particles are removed before they spread through the room.
• Significantly reduces staff — and customer — exposure to potentially hazardous substances.

Separately, ventilation and exhaust do different things, but in a salon it can be beneficial to have both: general ventilation to keep the air “fresh” and local extraction to capture harmful vapors where they originate.

Legislation and workplace requirements

According to the Danish Working Environment Authority’s guidelines, workplaces must have sufficient air exchange to ensure a healthy work environment. For Hairdressers who work with chemicals, it’s even more important to be aware of:

• Limits for chemical substances: Check your products. Certain color and perm solutions may contain substances that must not exceed specific concentrations in the air.
• Work Environment Act: The employer is obliged to ensure that employees are not exposed to health-damaging influences. It’s not legally mandatory if you work alone, but personally I would never recommend skipping extraction if you work with color and/or perming.

If these requirements are not met, the salon risks more than just remarks from the labor inspectorate.

Why local extraction is so important

Reduced health risks

By extracting vapors and aerosols at the source, the risk of allergies, respiratory irritation, headaches and other health problems from long-term exposure is minimized.

Improved comfort

Cleaner indoor air makes it more comfortable to work in the salon all day. That means fewer issues like fatigue and irritation in the eyes or throat.

Complies with regulations

By installing local extraction — especially where chemicals are mixed — you’re one step closer to meeting the industry’s work environment requirements.

Increased customer satisfaction

Customers experience a salon with fresher air and less “chemical” smell, which can be crucial for repeat business.

What should Hairdressers know about extraction solutions?

• Placement is crucial: The local extraction should be placed as close to the source as possible. That could be above or beside the color-mixing station, or exactly where you spray hair products.
• Noise level: Some extraction systems can be noisy — preferably choose a model with noise reduction or have the fan installed further away from the workspace.
• Maintenance: Filters and hoses need to be cleaned or replaced regularly. Poorly maintained equipment can lose effectiveness and provide false reassurance.
• Advice: Professional help for sizing both extraction and ventilation is a good idea to avoid incorrect installation or insufficient capacity.

What does it cost — and why it’s worth the investment?

The price of a local extraction system can vary widely depending on size, capacity and installation. However, it’s important to see it as a long-term investment in workplace safety, employee well-being and customer experience. Ultimately, a good extraction system is cheaper than the consequences of poor indoor air — both in terms of employee sick leave, complaints and, in the worst case, legal consequences from breaching work environment legislation.

Good tips to get started

1. Work areas: Where do you work most with chemicals, and where do odors or vapors build up?
2. Contact a professional supplier: Get advice on which solution suits your salon in terms of capacity, placement and legal requirements.
3. Also assess ventilation: Consider whether you also need a general ventilation system, or if you can supplement existing ventilation with local extraction.
4. Plan maintenance: Make sure you have a regular routine for cleaning or filter changes so the system continues to perform optimally.

In short

Exhaust in hair salons isn’t just about avoiding bad smells — it’s an active effort to protect stylists and clients from harmful substances and create a more comfortable workplace. With local extraction you can stop the problem at the source and ensure the salon meets current legislation and best possible work environment standards. Buy professional local extraction here.

Need help?

Do you have questions about extraction, ventilation or other aspects of a healthy indoor climate in the salon? Contact us for more information or a chat about how to best implement professional solutions tailored to your salon’s needs.