Fish pedicure

You may have heard people talking about this new fad in the spa world, as the once-rare fish pedicure is now widely available across the UK. In a nutshell, this treatment involves putting your feet into tanks of fish, and removing them 30 minutes later to reveal soft and supple skin. But, what's it all about? Is it safe? What will it feel like? The Good Spa Guide is here to dispel the myths, keep you safe and make sure you get the best out of your spa experience.

What is a fish pedicure?

What is a fish pedicure good for?

Before you go

Precautions

What to expect from a fish pedicure

Hot tip!

Afterwards

Where can I try a fish pedicure?

What is a fish pedicure?

You submerge your feet in tanks of warm water filled with little fish. These small, toothless garra rufa fish suck on the dead skin of your feet in search of food. The fish expertly remove dead skin, revealing soft, supple new skin beneath.

These little fish are part of the carp family, and originate from the warm river basins of the Central and Middle East, primarily Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran.

What is a fish pedicure good for?

A garra rufa treatment will leave your feet silky smooth. Fish pedicures have been recommended for people suffering from psoriasis, eczema and other skin conditions, although these claims are substantiated more by anecdotal evidence than scientific research.

Claims have been made that the fish secrete a powerful enzyme in their saliva called diathanol which stimulates cell renewal. Whether this is true or not, the general consensus is that this aquatic pedicure does leave your feet softer and smoother.

Before you go

If you have a verruca or any broken skin on your foot or lower leg it's probably best not to have a fish pedicure – if in doubt talk to your therapist. Don't put any lotions, creams or fake tan products on your feet or legs for 24 hours before a fish pedicure as these products could adversely affect the fish.

Precautions

When you enter the spa, there are some things to look out for:

* Ensure that each customer has their own individual tank, as sharing just isn't very hygienic.

* Every customer should have their feet cleaned before they get started – if you witness people just traipsing in and plonking their dirty digits directly into a tank, make a sharp exit.

* The feeling of having your feet "nibbled" should be a pleasant, ticklish sensation; if it's more of a pin-prick feeling, beware. Some spas have been known to substitute the more expensive garra rufa fish for similar-looking, cheaper imposters. Highest on the list of phonies are chin chin fish and tilapias. A tell-tale sign of a garra rufa shoal is their tendency to cluster at the bottom of the tank when it's not in use.

What to expect from a fish pedicure

Some people say that the garra rufa fish eat the dead skin from your feet. This is in fact a myth. These hungry little fish are constantly foraging for food, so the sucking action is, in fact, them attempting to unearth tasty morsels, much as they would do amongst the rocks and plants in their natural habitat.

When you arrive at the spa, your therapist will get you settled on a comfy seat before cleansing your feet in a basin of warm water to remove any traces of product or dirt.

Once you are all clean, it's time for the fish! Most garra rufa experiences will be around 30 minutes long, so get settled in and, once you get used to the strange sensation, enjoy the experience of watching the energetic little fish make light work of your hard skin.

Sassy Spy tried a fish pedicure at the glamorous Aqua Sheko in London:

"Although it was a little tickly to begin with, you soon get used to the feeling. Then you sit back, relax and let the tiny fish do their thing! My feet did feel much softer afterwards, and it's definitely different to the usual pedicures!"

Hot tip!

Many fish pedicure spas in Singapore, and 14 of the American states, have been closed due to health and safety concerns. Although the spas claimed to be using UV filtration systems to limit the chances of bacteria or infections, the fish themselves were not discarded or disinfected, and therefore were found to be in breach of regulations.

We've seen many small fish-pedicure salons popping up over recent months. Currently there is no legislation governing the practice in the UK, and there are no documented cases of infections being caught or passed on through fish pedicures to date. How can you make sure your fish pedicure is safe? Make sure you pick an established, trusted spa who already adhere to a strict health and safety policy.

Afterwards

You can expect to receive an application of lotion, a foot massage and sometimes an application of polish to complete your journey – leaving you soft, pampered and fabulous!

Therapists recommend you follow a course of treatments to get the most out of a garra rufa experience, and as the treatment is very reasonably priced (you can expect to pay around £25 for a 30-minute session), you can afford to keep this habit up.