Fish pedicure treatments are one of the more peculiar beauty treatments you can book in at a spa.
The principle is simple – you put your feet in a tank of small fish, and let them scrape away all the dead skin on your heels and soles.
It sounds odd, perhaps even slightly creepy, but literally millions of people all over the world have tried it and loved the experience.
Before you pop your name down though there is actually quite a lot worth understanding.
This page explains exactly how it works, what the real risks and rewards are, and how to choose a reputable salon.
If you’re intrigued or already a little bit sold, here’s what you need to know.
How Fish Pedicure Works
The basic idea of how fish pedicure treatments function is very simple, but the science involved is actually intriguing.
You sit at the edge of the tank, and put your feet in warm water while a multitude of tiny fish begin to gently nibble on your skin.
The fish used for fish pedicures are not your average tropical aquarium dwellers but are almost always Garra rufa, a small freshwater fish originating naturally in the river and lake beds of the Middle East, especially Turkey and Syria.
What Garra Rufa Fish Do
Garra rufa are unique in that they don’t have any teeth at all.
It’s not that their bites don’t hurt, but that they are making a gentle suction motion which dislodges loose, flaky skin cells from the surface of your feet.
The sensation is often described as a mild tickling feeling, something which is slightly strange but not unpleasant.
Most sessions last between 15 and 30 minutes, with clients generally finding they settle into it quite quickly after the initial shock.
What Happens to Your Skin
The fish naturally focus on areas with rougher, tougher skin – heels, the balls of your feet, and dry patches along the arch.
They leave smoother, softer skin beneath.
Sometimes salons will add a traditional pedicure component to the fish session as well, moisturising and fixing the nail work afterward, which complements things nicely.
The visual result after a single sitting isn’t very dramatic, but with regular treatment over a period of weeks or months the rough, horny skin tends to improve substantially.
Fish Pedicure Benefits and Risks
It’s an interesting question – fish pedicure treatments seem like a really enjoyable experience, and yet there are certain legitimate concerns with them as well.
Knowing both makes it easier to make a more intelligent choice.
What Fish Pedicure Can Achieve
The main benefit is the removal of dead skin.
As with any other sort of exfoliation, it can improve the way the skin appears but also makes it feel better beneath your feet.
You get this in a very gentle way, without the hard abrasion of the harsher mechanical exfoliating products.
Otherwise, some people have mentioned the treatment is quite calming and meditative – thinking about something perfectly still next to you for half an hour can be surprisingly effecting.
There’s also some limited research to suggest that the enzyme dithranol, which is produced in Garra rufa fish, may have a mild skin-softening property, although this is not a universally accepted finding.
What Are The Risks
When it comes to health and hygiene, the risks from a fish pedicure are quite real and not something to ignore.
The biggest concern is with hygiene standards – unlike traditional pedicure tools, the fish can’t really be sterilized and therefore there is potential for disease transmission if the salon is not cautious.
This is even an issue in the United States, where some states have banned the treatment completely.
If you have a condition or illness that affects your immune system, such as eczema, psoriasis or diabetes, experts generally advise avoiding the treatment.
If you’re otherwise healthy and the spa keeps their tanks clean, and the water well-filtered, it is unlikely that you’ll encounter a problem however – but you cannot eliminate the risk entirely.
How To Choose a Reputable and Safe Fish spa
Not all fish spas are of equal quality or cleanliness, and a bad one can have a serious impact on your health.
A little research before you visit isn’t too inconvenient and perhaps not unwise.
What to Observe and Ask About in a fish spa
Make sure you examine the tanks first.
The water should be clear, clean and changed regularly – if it’s cloudy or dirty looking that’s a warning.
Inquire about their water changing system, ask how the fish are looked after.
If you feel that they stumble over your questions a little, be wary of their safety procedures too.
Are the fish lively and appeared healthy? When fish are in less than optimal tank conditions, they tend to be a little sluggish and sad looking.
This is yet another health issue – under-tended tanks are not necessarily hygienic.
Do you have to clean your feet before hand? You should have to wash your feet before placing them in the tank.
The salon should ask you about this anyway.
Are clients asked to be checked for skin problems and also open cuts? A good salon should be concerned about the risks of infection transmission so should screen clients for open wounds or infection.
How long have the fish been in the tank for? Do they get supplied from a responsible source? It is often the case that foot rubs are cheaper in tourist hotspots but in turn, may be a little more neglectful of their fisheries.
Find out whether the fish used are similar to the Garra rufa fish used worldwide, or if instead a species called Chin Chin is used.
These have tiny teeth and consequently are able to damage your skin, and transmits a condition called chin chin dermatitis – which is a little inflammation of the skin.
It makes a difference to ask what species your chosen spa uses.
Another clue you could pay attention to is the price.
Cheaper fish rubs, particularly those catering to the tourist trade in busy locations, tend to skimp on maintenance to a degree that is not too far fetched if you think about it.
You are probably safer paying a reasonable premium at a reputable venue with good levels of cleanliness.
A fish pedicure absolutely can be a relaxing and enjoyable activity, if a lot of effort is put in beforehand and you select a reputable salon, there’s really no reason not to indulge.
This alone is worth a shot – you should at least try it once, but only if the tank is spotless, and the fish are the correct kind.