Beauty Tip: Is a Fish Pedicare Really That Healthy

Fish pedicures is a bizarre beauty ritual but with shady animal-welfare considerations. During a treatment customers place their feet in tanks of warm freshwater containing dozens of toothless Garra rufa fish, which are about the size of minnows. They are also known as doctor or nibble fish. They suck and gently nibble away at dry and dead skin. The end result is said to leave your feet feeling refreshed and healthy. But is it really that healthy?

The pedicures are popular in Asia but have already been banned in some US states for health and safety reasons. according to experts from the Health Protection Agency. In October 2011 it issued updated advice on fish spas following an investigation.Fish tank water may contain a number of microorganisms.

So there is the potential to catch a range of infections, either from fish to person, water to person or person to person passed on by the water or the fish. However, the HPA says the overall risk of infection is likely to be very low, if the spa operates good standards of hygiene. However, it advises people with weakened immune systems or underlying medical conditions, including diabetes and psoriasis, against using fish spas.


It says people with these conditions are likely to be at an increased risk of infection. People with cuts or infections on their feet should allow them to heal before seeking fish spa treatment, and it is advised to wait at least 24 hours after having a leg wax or shaving before having a fish spa treatment. also has concerns about the use of fish in foot spas.

So, would you try the fish pedicure any time soon?

Source: Ecouterre