How a husband & wife joined forces to tackle fumes & dust in the nail & beauty industry
12 October 2024 | London, News
For Paola Taylor-Riddick, building her own brand had always been a pipe dream – but little did she know that a trip to a beauty salon would spark the idea for business success.
While getting her nails done at the salon, Paola noticed its lack of ventilation and poor air quality and due to this, left the appointment feeling nauseated and with a runny nose, itchy eyes and headache.
That same day, she spoke to her husband, Paul Riddick, who worked as a fume and dust extraction specialist, travelling the world to ensure products were safety-compliant. The idea for VODEX and its filtration products was born, and Paola began dedicating her time to researching the harmful and life-threatening effects of fume and dust inhalation, speaking with medical experts, nail technicians and salon owners.
Once Paul was officially involved, the pair got to work making their vision of white, clinical-looking units – different to the industrial styles seen in the industry – a reality. These were designed to be mobile and had extending arms to extract dust and fumes at their source, meaning airborne particles were removed before they could be inhaled.
Over time, the brand has improved its products’ filter efficiency and airflow performance to exceed UK COSHH (control of substances hazardous to health) regulations.
“VODEX has positively impacted the nail and beauty industry by providing advanced dust and fume extraction systems,” says a spokesperson for the brand. “These solutions improve salon air quality by removing harmful particles generated during nail treatments, like filing and acrylic application. This not only enhances the health & safety of technicians and clients, but also helps businesses comply with health & safety regulations, promoting a cleaner, more hygienic environment.”
But it’s not just the nail industry that VODEX serves. Products cater to the dental, podiatry, laser hair and tattoo removal industries, as well as the military and aerospace sectors. The brand has even expanded into museum-based artefact restoration!
With VODEX sponsoring prestigious nail competition, Nailympia London 2024, the spokesperson shares why this is important to the brand: “We hope to demonstrate our commitment to helping nail professionals maintain safe, healthy working environments. Our involvement in Nailympia not only highlights the importance of fume and dust extraction, but reinforces our role as a key supporter of the industry’s growth and health & safety standards.
“The people in the nail sector are dedicated to perfecting their craft, making it a vibrant and inspiring community. We are proud to support these talented individuals, ensuring their workspaces are safe, healthy and conducive to their creative expression.”