Fish Pedicure Spa: Understanding the Benefits and Risks before Taking the Plunge

Fish Pedicure is a blazing beauty ritual that’s trending in India. Walk into any South Indian resort and there is a good chance you will spot these tanks offering fish pedicure. It’s also becoming a very common sight in the big malls and salons. Many patients come to asking if fish pedicure spa is safe! 

Well, fish pedicure is a beauty treatment in which you dip your feet in a tub of water filled with hundreds of small fish, called the Garra rufa. These toothless fishes eat away the dead skin cells from your feet. A session lasts for  30 minutes leaving your skin soft and smooth!

Garra rufa is native to the Middle East where people have used it for medical treatment for ages. They widely use it for treating skin diseases, like psoriasis or eczema. This foot care trick was hugely popular in North America and Europe towards the end of the 2010s. 

The fascinating origin of fish pedicure

Legend says the Turks have been using Garra rufa for exfoliation for the past 400 years. However, this beauty technique caught fire in the mid-2000s, when they became a popular part of the resorts in Turkey, Japan, and Croatia. The Garra rufa fish is also called the doctor fish for its amazing healing actions!

The immediate softness and shiny skin resulted in rising popularity. And many saw this as a great business opportunity because of the cheap set-up costs. In 2008, the first American fish spa was launched and in 2010, the craze spread to the UK. 

Fish Pedicure Spa – Benefits

Fish pedicures are an organic traditional way of treatment that has been around for centuries. This sure says that they must have plenty of benefits to offer. In addition to improving the texture of your skin, fish spas can also help alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis and eczema. 

Here are a few benefits of the fish pedicure spa – 

• They exfoliate your skin by gently removing the dry and dead skin cells.
• After the spa, your rough, patchy edges on the skin feel soft, supple, and healthy.
• It helps in easing skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, calluses, and warts.
• By removing the dead cells, it makes the skin look radiant. 
• It also promotes the growth of new cells.
• May reduce itching, blemishes, dark spots, and scar marks on the feet.
• The fishes nibbling on your skin gives a feeling of light massage which is very relaxing.
• It boosts the secretion of endorphins, your happy hormones.

Fish Pedicure Spa – Health Risks!

Firstly, the doctor’s fishes are naturally found mainly in Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. But if you export these little fishes across the globe and breed them in unnatural ways then the whole point of natural treatment is lost!

Secondly, dead cells are not the primary food for these fishes. They only eat dead cells from our feet when they are severely starved. That’s not only inhumane to force-feed other organisms but also increases the risk of injury to your feet. 

Thirdly, the pedicure tubs that are used in public places, are not sufficiently disinfected between customers. There is no way to sanitize the fishes. So, it can be a breeding ground for contagious diseases, like nail fungus or athlete’s foot. 

Further, the fish pedicure tubs make a fertile breeding ground for bacteria. The Garra fish themselves carry strains of several infection-causing bacteria. So, if you have even a tiny cut or sore on your feet, it can easily get infected. Bacterial infections are also possible if you have eczema or psoriasis. 

Onychomadesis can occur after a fish pedicure. In this, the toenails gradually blacken and fall off.  Another possible infection is mycobacteriosis, which results in a rough plaque on the skin. 

There is also a small risk of blood-borne diseases passing between customers. This can result in the transmission of HIV and Hepatitis B if you enter the pool with an open cut and the water is already contaminated by an HIV or Hepatitis B patient’s blood. 

Case Studies on Infections caused by fish pedicure

It was reported that fish pedicure has caused an outbreak of nontuberculous mycobacterial infections. This resulted in people getting boils and scars after the treatment. Another report stated that a batch of Garra fish was found to be infected with Streptococcus agalactiae. This bacterium is potentially harmful to those suffering from chronic conditions or immunodeficiency. 

In another case, reported in 2018, a woman’s toenails stopped growing after she contracted a condition known as onychomadesis at a fish spa. The CDC, states that fish pedicures cannot be considered entirely hygienic. That’s why fish pedicures have been banned in many U.S. states.

Also, the commercialization of this pedicure has resulted in many using different varieties of fish rather than the Garra fish. Some salons use a more aggressive fish variety called the Chin-Chin. These fishes look similar but they can bite and draw out your blood. Thus, increasing your risks for infections. 

Safety procedures for fish spas

• Examine your feet before and after treatment to make sure they are free from cuts and infections. 
• Wash your Feet thoroughly before and after the pedicure.
• The tank should be sanitized thoroughly after each session.
• If you have waxed or shaved your foot in the previous 24 hours then avoid it.
• Avoid it if you have any open cuts, wounds, or abrasions on the feet or lower legs.
• Don’t get this if have an infection on the feet.
• Avoid getting this if you are diabetic.
• Patients suffering from hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV should avoid it.

Final thoughts

Fish pedicure spas are no doubt effective. Dip your feet for just 30 minutes into the tub and your feet will come out with a glossy glow and soft touch. But is it worth the risk? No. It’s not!

It opens you up to a high risk of several infections and disorders. It’s unhygienic and can leave you with a contagious disease. Not to forget the poor conditions in which these fishes are kept.

It’s already banned in many U.S states and the practice should not be encouraged in other parts as well. So, if you want smooth glossy feet then rub your feet with a pumice stone every night.