The activities surrounding the operation of a beauty salon require adequate ventilation and waste management. The use of chemical-based hair and nail products, along with heat producing hair and nail equipment requires proper ventilation to protect clients and employees alike. Additionally, the prevalence of skin and hair residue requires proper cleaning and environmental management.

Ventilation allows beauty salon owners to mitigate the heat producing effects of common hairstyling equipment. The high temperatures generated by items such as blow dryers and hair curlers creates a drastic effect on the enclosed environment of most beauty salons.

An efficient beauty salon ventilation system limits the direct inhalation of harmful chemicals associated with common hair and nail care products. Additionally, the use of aerosol products requires an adequate ventilation system. Though current hair and nail care products employ the use of essential oils and other environmentally safe ingredients, the use of aerosol chemicals continues to demand proper environmental control.

Due to the frequent cutting, styling and management of hair in many beauty salons, the need for a proper hair removal and ventilation exists. Additionally, heat-related hair treatment along with occurrence of many scalp-related medical conditions, call for use of a ventilation and cooling system. Also, the skin cells present in the removal, trim and management of human nails requires both ventilation and proper waste removal.

The sink/wash areas present in beauty salons requires the use of a ventilation system. In many states, established statutes require the presence of adequate ventilation in conjunction with sinks and wash stations. Additionally, warm weather states or areas with environmental issues such as elevated levels of dust or pollen also require the use of adequate ventilation.