Fish Pedicure: a feet treat
Video: Mark Zammit Cordina
You might feel like a fish out of the water for not having come across the latest craze in beautifying treatment: It's not salt scrubs, rubs or foot files, but something far more efficient: the toothless mouths of hundreds of tiny, voraciously feeding fish.
'Doctor fish' - so named for their ability to produce healthy, glowing results from even the most crusty or diseased epidermis - are the key ingredient in skin treatment becoming increasingly popular across Japan, China, Turkey and Europe. And now it's in Malta, at an open air fish spa based in St. George's bay.
The idea is that you immerse your feet, in a warm aquarium that swarms with hundreds of hungry minnow-sized feeders. These are the Gaffa Rufa fish which originate from Turkey.
The fish zoom in on your most crusty, flaky or scabby skin and chomp away at it to reveal the fresh layer beneath. It might sound fishy, but you emerge with feet refreshed, healthy, buffed and glowing.
"Garra Ruga fish gently suck the dead skin off from the upper layer of the body. During the removal of the dead skin, the fish produce an enzyme that has a vitalizing effect on the new skin," said Silvia Ferrer from Girona, Spain, who opened the first fish spa in Malta last March.
Do the fish actually bite? "Oh no, they are toothless," said Ms Ferrer, adding that she doesn't need to feed the fish because the dead skin is their fodder.
People who were trying it out attested that whole experience is quite ticklish but after fifteen minutes their skin felt softer than before, and they were all ready to go round fishing for compliments.
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32 Comments
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Mr Joe Xuereb
Jun 28th 2011, 13:51
I tried it for a bit of fun experience. It only cost €10 for fifteen minutes.
The one I used was spotless, I had to answer a questionnaire before I could use it. Disinfecting hot towers were used before immersion. At first it was a pleasant tingling sensation.
The aim is to clear the skin of normal 'dead' skin by shedding it. This 'fish' thing is only one way of many to do this job. The fish eat the dead flakey skin caused by psoriasis and other skin conditions. It is NOT a cure for psoriasis which is a complex internal condition with the flakey skin only being a manifestation of this condition. The same can be said of anti-dandruff shampoos. They eliminate the symptoms at most but nothing more.
Fretting about skin infections from the fish-tank is unnecessary. One can pick up such infections from the bath/shower at home, even from a much-loved son who walked barefoot only god knows were. Changing rooms in shops where you have to take your shoes off, changing room at beaches/swimming pools. Plus going into a shoe-shop and trying on half a dozen different shoes that have hosted god knows how meany feet - you didn't that wonderful pair of Prada you bought last week had never seen another pair of feet, did you?!
Mr Joe Xuereb
Jun 28th 2011, 13:47
I tried it for a bit of fun experience. It only cost €10 for fifteen minutes.
The one I used was spotless, I had to answer a questionnaire before I could use it. Disinfecting hot towers were used before immersion. At first it was a pleasant tingling sensation.
The aim is to clear the skin of normal 'dead' skin by shedding it. This 'fish' thing is only one way of many to do this job. The fish eat the dead flakey skin caused by psoriasis and other skin conditions. It is NOT a cure for psoriasis which is a complex internal condition with the flakey skin only being a manifestation of this condition. The same can be said of anti-dandruff shampoos. They eliminate the symptoms at most but nothing more.
Fretting about skin infections from the fish-tank is unnecessary. One can pick up such infections from the bath/shower at home, even from a much-loved son who walked barefoot only god knows were. Plus going into a shoe-shop and trying on half a dozen different shoes that have hosted god knows how meany feet - you didn't that wonderful pair of Prada you bought last week had never seen another pair of feet, did you?!
Matthew Gatt
Jun 28th 2011, 13:16
This is no spa!! This is totally unhygenic. There are now other spas in Malta that adhere to proper regulations. These are perfectly safe.
Also, this is the perfect treatment for the symptoms of Psoriasis and Eczema. With regards to, if it works or not, one cannot judge with a treatment of 15 min. A visit to a beautician for a proper pedicure takes at least 45 min to accomplish results.
A word of advice- always ask about the filtration system of the tanks and how often the water is changed.
Mr Karl Consiglio
Jun 27th 2011, 09:08
Jaqq I saw this stuff in a restaurant.
Mr Karl Consiglio
Jun 27th 2011, 09:07
For mine you need piranhas.
Ms pamela hansen
Jun 27th 2011, 07:37
I agree with Saviour Sam Aguis. It can be got fro free with less chance of infection.
I often have had the experience of tiny fish peckjing at my skin during my early morning swim.
Nathaniel Camilleri
Jun 26th 2011, 22:46
Watch out ... In UK they change the fish and water with every treatment because that is absolutely unhygenic and easy to pass on any deseases including verrucas or even worse.
D. Xerri
Jun 26th 2011, 22:34
Oh come on this thing has been going on for ages abroad especially asian countries - You see these fish tanks almost everywhere - outside supermarkets - near the beach - near swimming pools in hotels - in massage parlours - even some restaurants have them - its very common.
Mr Ceasor Lemony
Jun 26th 2011, 21:54
Just to correct a small mistake, they are called Garra rufa not Gaffa rufa as stated in the article.
Mr Bartolo Edward
Jun 26th 2011, 19:24
I think, aqua regia can do a better job.
Mr Dave Smith
Jun 26th 2011, 17:59
I put my feet in there the fish would jump out!
Mr Emmanuel Muscat
Jun 26th 2011, 21:02
:-)
Saviour Sam Agius
Jun 26th 2011, 17:28
This is nothing out of the ordinary. You can get it for free in the sea in some places and if you're patient enough to stay still and let them do their job.
Eric Camilleri
Jun 26th 2011, 21:16
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100821/world/turkeys-flesh-eating-fish-relieves-skin-diseases.323376
Lela Balzan
Jun 26th 2011, 17:00
is this treatment good for Psoriasis?
Mr Ceasor Lemony
Jun 26th 2011, 21:58
I am no expert in this field, but people say that it is usually good for psoriasis but that's just what i hear around :)
D. Xerri
Jun 26th 2011, 22:31
Yes it is very good for Psoriasis in the feet - Ive tried it several times in Thailand - Removes all scalp from your calves and knees and other affected areas - You should try it definately its natural !
Mr Cecil Cassar
Jun 26th 2011, 16:55
The water in the tanks is changed every 3 days. Those who have open cuts etc have a high chance of passing on any disases/infections to others that use the same water during these days.
Always insist on seeing the insurance policy that these establishments should have that will cover you in case of infection. Most are not insured and need to be strictly avoided.
Jesmond Micallef
Jun 26th 2011, 16:54
Do people here know that maggots are also used for a similar purpose !! Come on, loosen up please. Cruelty on fish !! How ridiculous.
Adele Mintoff
Jun 26th 2011, 16:16
Oh yeah I had tried it out in the UK and believe me it is just a gimmick! My friends and I had walked out thinking what a waste of money... One tries it out of curiousity but that's it.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Jun 26th 2011, 16:14
What next PIRANHAS FOR IMMEDIATE WEIGHT LOSS?
Adele Mintoff
Jun 26th 2011, 16:45
hahahhaha good one!!!!!
Marianne Tabone
Jun 26th 2011, 20:09
Mark Mifsud Bonnici! Hahahahahahahaha I like this one!!! Good!
Paul Portelli
Jun 26th 2011, 16:04
Instead of giving these outlets 'promotion' for such a degrading act we should ensure they are BANNED. Cruelity to fish.... as long as they make money...when do we stop !!
Mr j mifsud
Jun 26th 2011, 22:37
cruelty to fish? LOL they are getting fed, people getting softer skin..both parties gain and no harm is done..
Mr J Galea
Jun 26th 2011, 16:03
We will soon see animal lovers up in arms again protesting against the well being of these fish for toxic ink poisoning caused by those who have tattoos printed onto their feet.
A Camilleri
Jun 26th 2011, 15:31
just another gimmik, good luck to those who are making good money out of it.
Mr Daniel Jones
Jun 26th 2011, 15:14
This 'treatment' is banned in a quite a few states in the US because it is a. unhygenic and b. cruel to the fish.
riccardo borg
Jun 26th 2011, 16:33
Soon we'll be having protests in Valletta about FISH CRUELTY and it would, no doubt, be blamed on Gonzi.
Lena Hahn
Jun 26th 2011, 14:55
Easy on the puns.. *sigh*
Ramon Casha
Jun 26th 2011, 14:41
I'm glad I'm not a fish :)
Jesmond Micallef
Jun 26th 2011, 15:13
Snails or shrimps are not allways the right bait so it seems, .... ;-))