A Fishy Treatment!!

Wacky spa treatments are the latest trend in town. While previously, fruit extracts were used for skin treatment, today, it’s not simply animal extracts but animals themselves being used for therapeutic purposes. While nightingale droppings are used to exfoliate and brighten the complexion of a person, non- venomous snakes are used for back massage. Ichthyotherapy is a new addition to the above mentioned trends. It is a process of using a special kind of fish for skin cleansing and treatments. Garra Rufa is a species of fish found in Turkey. In ancient times, this fish was bred in pools for therapeutic purposes. It is also known as doctor fish or nibble fish or kangal fish. These are used for treating various skin diseases like psoriasis and eczema.

Today, medicinal purposes are left far behind as compared to the beauty purposes. These fishes are bred by salons for pedicures. Fish pedicure is the latest emerging trend. A person just has to sit dipping his feet in a tank full of fish. These fish are toothless and feed on the dead skin tissues. Their suction-cup mouth lifts dead cells without affecting new cells, leaving the skin softer and easy to manage. This is followed by a normal pedicure. It can be a perfect date for any couple, getting pampered as well as utilising time productively. This relaxing treatment is very useful for people who are always on their heels. Fish pedicure has been the hot pick of most beauty junkies. The process doesn’t hurt at all. It is like a small tickling sensation which a person starts enjoying after sometime. It is a symbiotic relationship, wherein the fish get food and the person’s feet turn softer. This is good treatment for everyone who likes to have nice feet.

Fish pedicure is one of the weirdest spa treatments offered till date. It is beneficial but there are a few foggy details attached to this process.

Firstly, there are a few health concerns attached to this treatment. This type of pedicure can leave small cuts or scratches at your feet which have the potential to become infected with fungus and bacteria.

Secondly, the treatment meted out to these fish is often inhumane. Often the salon owners keep them on no or very little food so that they attack a person’s feet more enthusiastically .

There was a time when the popularity of fish pedicure became the cause of tourism bolster in Turkey but today this treatment has been made available in USA and various other regions of Asia. All metro cities in India offer this treatment at various places. Some countries are still sceptical about the health concerns attached with this treatment and are reluctant towards its use for beauty treatments.