What: Doctor Fish Spas Why: Not so long ago I heard about pedicures that employed buckets of flesh-eating fish for exfoliating tootsies of dead skin and callouses. Now we hear that the trend is moving up the body. According to Trend Hunter, man-eating fish spas have long been a popular staple in places like Turkey, Japan, China and Korea, but the trend is increasing in popularity. And why not? As you bathe in the hot water where these Garra Rufa fish naturally dwell, swarms of the tiny swimmers pick away the dead skin leaving behind healthy, soft skin. Just think — we would never have to buy a scrub again! It's completely safe (since the fish only feed on dead skin) and users claim it's not painful, but that you feel a "tingling sensation." Plus, it's particularly useful for those who suffer from psoriasis.
Fish pedicures have now hit the states, sort of – one DC area salon claims to be the only one in the country to offer the nibbling pedicure. It costs $35 for 15 minutes and $50 for 30 minutes. And this morning, Good Morning America's Diane Sawyer tried it out on the show. Check out Jezebel's take on the fearless act.
I would be the first to offer my body as a guinea pig! How about you? Would you dig a doctor fish spa? Leave us a comment and let us know. And if you wouldn't be caught dead (and bitten) going in for this fishy treatment, consider some safe alternatives that don't conjure images of missing toes.
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The results are potentially wonderful but I wouldn’t want to try this one… I’m just not a “scrubs with the fishes” kind of a gal…
Please pass the sugar, honey, sea salt, and assorted herbs :-)
I have the desire to do it especially because I have psoriasis, but that picture is just creeping me out. I want to vomit and I itch all over, so I’m thinking it’s not going to happen!
Naw, I think I’ll let the more adventurous have my appointments.
I’ve been to this spa in Alexandria and it was very nice. I took my mom for her birthday last month (http://www.smartgirlsyndrome.com/blog/2008/07/since-ive-been-too-lazybusy-to-finish.html).
Of course, the reason I went was because I had previously had the Doctor Fish treatment in Korea. Simply amazing and if I lived there (where it is not as expensive), I’d probably go every other day. Just a fabulous experience!
I would try it once, but it looks like you would need regular treatments to keep your feet baby-soft and it’s expensive. As it is, I treat myself to a spa pedicure about once a month- the treat is the cost but also the time it takes. I suppose if you went for the fish nibbling instead of a pedicure, it might be a polish-free pedicure.