What You Should Know About Fish Pedicures

I only had a fish pedicure as a joke. But afterward, I realized I liked it.

In Malta many tourists and locals alike have been taking a dip not only in the gorgeous Mediterranean but in tanks swarming with fish ready to nibble off the dead skin off your feet, leaving them smooth and looking good.

This new fish craze may be fun and might actually do a good job on your feet, but the fish pedicure is not for everyone. Here's what you need to know before you dive in:

Who are these fish?
The hungry little creatures are called Garra Rufa fish and they are tiny and long--a little larger than a minnow you see in ponds. They are members of the carp family. They don't have teeth but have pretty tough "gums" that help them nibble away at your toes and heels.

How do they help?
The fish are only interested in dead, damaged or rough skin on your feet, such as callouses and corns. They do not eat regular healthy skin or chip away your nail polish. They are also beneficial for people who suffer from certain skin disorders--psoriasis and eczema. According to acupuncturist Tom Ingengno, they have been used for centuries in Asia and Turkey to help heal, exfoliate and soothe the skin. There seems to be another benefit: they may reduce stress as a massage would, possibly stimulating acupuncture points in the feet.

What does it feel like?
The first sensation can be a squeamish one as you put your feet into the tank. I felt like I was immersing my feet in a tank of worms, to be honest. But within a minute, that feeling sank away as I watched in fascination as the fish swished around my feet. I was intrigued by the fact that the fish seemed more interested in my left foot which actually did have more rough skin than the right foot.

Then the tickling started. The spa people say it will tickle pleasantly, but I found that it tickled a lot. I even laughed out loud a few times.

But did it hurt at all? The experts say no. But it did hurt a little at times, and I'm not the only spa client who thought so. Occasionally, it felt like a little pinch. And, yes, as advertised, it did feel like little bubbles bursting around my feet.

Is the fish pedicure hygienic?
That's a matter of opinion. It is promoted as being a very clean and natural way to removed dead skin from the feet. The water in each tank is filtered every 15 minutes--the length of an average session. And the spa attendant is supposed to examine your feet beforehand, making sure that you don't have any sores or open wounds. If any are found, you would be asked to come back another time. Then the attendant washes your feet in a pedicure-like basin. In my case, she asked if I was wearing any sun lotion on my feet, which I was. So she did some extra washing to make sure that no toxic substances--from any creams or lotions--entered the tanks.

As of now, the fish pedicure is not legal in the US because of the fear of spreading disease. But so far, no infections have been reported where the fish pedicure is regularly practiced.

Does it Work?
Before the fish pedicure, I was quite skeptical. But afterward I saw and felt a difference on the skin of my feet. They were smoother to the touch and I could see that there was less rough skin. Yes, it worked for me.

How much does it cost?
In Malta I paid eight Euros, which is equivalent to about $12.

Who should not have a fish pedicure?
Stay away from a fish pedicure if you:
1. are diabetic and or have diabetic foot problems
2. have any sores, warts, wounds or injuries to your feet or toenails
3. have a fish phobia
4. have a fear of germs
5. are extremely ticklish

All in all, I would say that it was a fun, slightly weird experience, but I would do it again.

Source: Fish Pedicures Too Weird for Some