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Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Flesh-Eating Fish Latest Pedicure Trend
A Virginia salon offers a popular Asian spa treatment, in which so-called “doctor fish” nibble away at the feet’s dead skin.
30-Second Summary
The use of garra rufa, a type of carp known as “doctor fish,” has recently become a popular treatment at a Virginia nail salon. The unique pedicure involves dunking feet into a tub of water filled with the fish, which eat away dead skin.
Yvonne Hair and Nails salon, owned by John Ho, has been offering pedicures involving hungry fish for four months. Says Ho, "This is a good treatment for everyone who likes to have nice feet." About 100 fish are used in each footbath.
Ho decided to use carp in his salon due to sanitation issues surrounding the use of razors. In the tanks, the carp have only dead skin as a source of sustenance. But, because they have no teeth, the fish are unable to bite live flesh.
“It’s a little ticklish, actually,” said one customer.
Although Ho claims to be the first American salon owner to use carp, the practice has been spreading through spas and salons in Asia. “The fish, as many spa goers say ‘kiss the skin,’ ridding it of all affected and dead skin areas, leaving the healthy skin untouched to continue to grow and repair.” Health Spa Guru reports.
The doctor fish pedicure is just one of the many unusual treatments available at trendy spas around the world.
Yvonne Hair and Nails salon, owned by John Ho, has been offering pedicures involving hungry fish for four months. Says Ho, "This is a good treatment for everyone who likes to have nice feet." About 100 fish are used in each footbath.
Ho decided to use carp in his salon due to sanitation issues surrounding the use of razors. In the tanks, the carp have only dead skin as a source of sustenance. But, because they have no teeth, the fish are unable to bite live flesh.
“It’s a little ticklish, actually,” said one customer.
Although Ho claims to be the first American salon owner to use carp, the practice has been spreading through spas and salons in Asia. “The fish, as many spa goers say ‘kiss the skin,’ ridding it of all affected and dead skin areas, leaving the healthy skin untouched to continue to grow and repair.” Health Spa Guru reports.
The doctor fish pedicure is just one of the many unusual treatments available at trendy spas around the world.
Headline Link: Nibbling carp perfect for pedicures
John Ho discovered the carp when searching for an alternative to the use of razors, which have raised sanitary concerns with health officials. “‘I know people were a little intimidated at first,’ Ho said. ‘But I just said, “Let’s give it a shot.”’ Customers were quickly hooked,” the Associated Press reports.
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer (AP)
Background: Flesh-eating fish popular at upscale Asian spas
According to Health Spa Guru, the doctor fish treatment has become increasingly popular in China, Japan and Turkey. “The process is both painless and strangely wonderful, leaving behind a unique pleasant tingling sensation. Skin is left smooth, glowing and looking healthier,” the site reports.
Source: Health Spa Guru
Video: Doctor fish pedicure
A video of a carp pedicure underway demonstrates the delight and surprise of the procedure.
Source: YouTube
Related Topic: Other unique spa treatments
Fox News reported on some unusual treatments on offer during 2007’s SpaWeek. “We always try to come up with different ideas for services and I just hadn't seen it,” said spa owner Lisa Johnson of her “Sweet Cheeks Derriere Facial.” Other unexpected forms of pampering include the “Caviar Spa Pedicure,” and the “Chocolate Manicure.”
Source: Fox News
According to one writer at Divine Caroline, “The proliferation of spas has created a competitive market. Some of these spas … are coming up with the wackiest, strangest services to lure us in through sheer curiosity.” In addition to the doctor fish pedicure (referred to here as “Fish Reflexology”), the writer lists nine more unique treatments, such as “Snake Massage” and the “Aberdeen Organic Bull Sperm Treatment.”
Source: Divine Caroline
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