Apart from exfoliation, fish pedicure offers some amazing benefits for the skin. Find out what they are in the next section.
Benefits Of Fish Pedicure
It gently exfoliates your skin by eliminating dead and dry skin cells. Your rough, uneven feet feel soft, smooth, and healthy. It helps soothe eczema and psoriasis (2), (3). It can reduce itchiness, blemishes, dark spots, and scars on the feet. It is a terrific stress reliever. It induces a mild massage sensation that is incredibly calming. It can minimize the appearance of calluses and warts.
Although a fish pedicure feels great on the skin, it has certain safety concerns. Here are some risks associated with fish pedicures.
Safety Concerns
1. Hygiene
The water used in the fish tank is not usually replaced regularly. Many people sharing the same tank can only make things worse, and you have to compromise with hygiene and cleanliness. As a result of this, infections may spread easily, particularly if you have an open wound or bruises.
2. Fish Swap
Doctor fish resemble another fish species, Chinchin, which has teeth and bites. So, if your spa personnel mistakenly choose the wrong species for your basin, you may get bitten, leaving you vulnerable to infections.
3. Possibility Of Disease Transmission
The biggest risk is the transmission of diseases like hepatitis C. Pathogenic bacteria can transmit from one person to another through the Garra rufa fish and spread the condition. Customers with open sores and cuts, chronic medical disorders like diabetes, or immune conditions like HIV and AIDS are more susceptible to contract infections through fish pedicures. Fish pedicure can also cause onychomadesis, a condition in which the toenails blacken and fall out. This damage is most likely induced by the fish’s pressure on the nails (4). Do fish pedicures actually work? Yes, fish pedicures remove dead skin and reduce itchiness and the appearance of calluses. However, the fish tanks are not replaced regularly and may increase the risk of infection (5). So think carefully and exercise caution before you opt for this. Where did fish pedicure originate? Fish pedicures are said to have originated in Turkey and are quite popular across various Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern countries today. Are fish pedicures cruel? Yes, the Garra rufa fish are starved so that they can eat the dead skin during the pedicure. Additionally, they come with a lot of health risks. That is why fish pedicures are banned in many US states and some parts of Canada.
