21st May 2025

Why every nail salon needs a nail dust extractor
Nail salons are a hub for collecting dust from an array of treatments, including acrylic, gel, and builder gel, and it’s not just your surfaces that suffer – your health does too! Which is exactly why a dust extractor should be on every nail tech’s wish list. Whether you’re removing gel polish with an electric nail file or refining the nails with a manual one, all this hard work creates a whole lot of dust that you can’t help but breathe in. Which let me tell you, is bad news for both you, and your client. Constantly breathing in this dust can have serious consequences on your health, leading to increased risk of allergies, infections, breathing conditions such as asthma, and in some cases, can even cause cancer. Sounds pretty grim, right?
Well, the good news is, a nail dust collector can help. Not only will it remove harmful dust particles from the air, but it will help keep your salon clean and dust-free during treatments, creating a much more pleasant experience for your client, and your nail techs. It’s a win-win. If you want to learn more about nail dust extractors (and who wouldn’t?), then let’s get down to it.
What is a dust extractor?
Dust extractors or nail dust collectors are devices that remove dust and fine particles from the air in nail salons. Their primary function is to clean the air and remove potentially harmful chemicals from the atmosphere to stop them from being breathed in, as they can be harmful to nail technicians and customers. A nail dust extractor is an essential tool for every nail salon or mobile business and can be placed on almost any work surface to improve air quality and safety.
Inhalable vs. respirable dust
There are two types of dust that can cause harm in your nail salon. One is known as inhalable dust which are particles that range from 1 micron to 100 microns, and the other is respirable dust which are particles below 10 microns and are invisible to the human eye. Fine dust from gel and acrylic nail enhancements can contain dangerous chemicals, so you have no idea what you and your clients could be breathing in. A nail dust extractor will remove these chemicals from the atmosphere, making it a safer and more pleasant environment.
How does a dust extractor work?
Nail dust extractors have a powerful fan that creates a strong suction to instantly remove dust and debris from the air. The in-built filtration system then filters the air and captures the ultra-fine particles, allowing clean air to be circulated around the room. This ensures the air you and your clients breathe in is clean and chemical-free.
What is a dust extractor?
Dust extractors or nail dust collectors are devices that remove dust and fine particles from the air in nail salons. Their primary function is to clean the air and remove potentially harmful chemicals from the atmosphere to stop them from being breathed in, as they can be harmful to nail technicians and customers. A nail dust extractor is an essential tool for every nail salon or mobile business and can be placed on almost any work surface to improve air quality and safety.
Inhalable vs. respirable dust
There are two types of dust that can cause harm in your nail salon. One is known as inhalable dust which are particles that range from 1 micron to 100 microns, and the other is respirable dust which are particles below 10 microns and are invisible to the human eye. Fine dust from gel and acrylic nail enhancements can contain dangerous chemicals, so you have no idea what you and your clients could be breathing in. A nail dust extractor will remove these chemicals from the atmosphere, making it a safer and more pleasant environment.
How does a dust extractor work?
Nail dust extractors have a powerful fan that creates a strong suction to instantly remove dust and debris from the air. The in-built filtration system then filters the air and captures the ultra-fine particles, allowing clean air to be circulated around the room. This ensures the air you and your clients breathe in is clean and chemical-free.
Benefits of installing a dust extractor
There are lots of benefits of using a dust extractor in your salon for both you and your clients. Here are several ways a dust extractor can improve your business:
- Healthier salon environment – did you know that some dust particles are so small, that they are naked to the human eye? Dust extractors remove these invisible particles from the air to improve air quality, making it safer and more hygienic to work. They filter out harmful chemicals from the atmosphere to prevent you and your clients from breathing them in, helping to lower the risk of allergies, infections and nasty breathing conditions – which is a pretty important job!
- Prolonged exposure – constant exposure to dust particles in your salon can lead to hypersensitivity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), and an increased risk of developing conditions such as asthma. A dust extractor will prevent overexposure to keep you and your clients safe.
- Better client experience – being surrounded by dust is never a pleasant experience. Having a nail dust collector in your salon is much more client friendly and will make your clients more likely to return.
- Compliance with health and safety regulations – no salon owner wants to be held responsible for not taking the necessary precautions for their employees and clients. As a business, it’s important that you meet certain health and safety regulations to keep your staff and clients safe. Having a dust extractor will help you meet those requirements – it’s certainly risky not to have one!
- Less maintenance/cleaning time – let’s be honest, cleaning is never a fun job, so why not let a dust extractor do it all for you? Your time can be better spent elsewhere – like with your clients.
FAQs
How often do you need to change dust extractor filters?
A dust extractor filter should be replaced every 3 to 6 months, depending on how much it is being used. The more dust that the extractor is exposed to, the more frequently the filter will need to be replaced. Larger particles of dust can clog the filters, requiring them to be replaced more often. A nail technician should always check their dust extractor is working efficiently before use.
How do you install a dust extractor?
They are very easy to install. Nail dust collectors can be plugged in and placed on most work surfaces for instant air filtration. Rechargeable and portable dust extractors can be charged while plugged into the mains and unplugged during operation, for convenient wire-free usage – so there really is no excuse!
What is the best dust extractor?
If you’re wondering what the best dust extractor is for your business, then we have all the secrets. Whether you’re looking for a nail dust extractor for your mobile salon, want to know what features to look out for, or simply want to know what dust extractor to buy for your budget, here’s everything you need to know…
Key features to look for:
- High air flow and suction power
- Effective filtration
- Durable design
- Size, weight and portability
We recommend...
Lucy Pastorelli dust extractor
This powerful dust extractor from Lucy Pastorelli is conveniently cordless, making it perfect for any salon space or mobile business. The sleek and compact device fits neatly on most work surfaces, helping you keep your workstation clean, tidy, safe and hygienic. The LP dust extractor is a best-seller for good reason!
Gelish Vortex dust extractor
For nail techs who are serious about removing dust, the Gelish dust extractor is the ultimate choice for busy professionals. This rechargeable and portable dust collector offers optimum performance and practicality. Featuring a super-efficient Vortex powered fan, this Gelish dust extractor provides maximum dust removal and a quiet operation for enhanced client experience.
The Edge dust extractor
The Edge dust collector offers great value for your salon and is an excellent choice for students and beginners. Built with an advanced filtration system, this nail dust collector from The Edge effectively traps even the finest particles from the air, helping to improve air quality and prevent harmful chemicals from being breathed in. With a removable tray, this nail dust extractor is super easy to clean to ensure optimum performance at all times.
Halo nail dust collector
Offering variable speed suction and noise, this Halo dust collector is an excellent choice for your business. This professional dust extractor fan uses a strong turbine to create a downforce of suction over its large air vents, helping to effectively and efficiently clean the air.
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