Few beauty treatments are as memorable as the fish pedicure using fish for dead skin removal.
I know I have never forgotten the foot treatment I experienced, courtesy of a school of tiny Garra rufa fish. While this treatment is currently trending, I first went for it just over a decade ago.
I had been asked to write a review on the pedicure for a publication I was working on at the time and arrived feeling completely afraid. I have never been one for extreme beauty treatments, and seeing the fish and knowing I would have to allow them to have contact with my feet didn’t help to calm my nerves. However, I was fortunate to have a colleague with me, and reasoned we were in this together.
We sat next to each other at the edge of the treatment pool with our feet in the water while the small fish danced around our heels and toes, sucking so gently that the experience was more ticklish than anything else. I quickly got over my fears that the fish might end up being parana-like and nibble off more than just the dead skin cells.
We sat together like giggling school girls while our treatment was underway. It is not usual protocol for two to go for the treatment at the same time, for hygiene purposes, but possibly the therapist had allowed us in together as we were reviewing the treatment.
There was no pain and the experience didn’t just affect my feet, but also uplifted my spirits. I laughed harder than I had laughed in a long time. Surprisingly, the interaction with nature in this way was also invigorating. In spite of living creatures being the ‘exfoliator’ for my feet, the environment was clean and controlled, and the therapist explained everything to me before I dared put my feet in the water. These were sweet little fish and by no means Jaws. There was also a definite impact on my feet, which were left softer following their encounter with the fish.
Garra rufa are a species of tiny fish which nibble away dead skin cells from your feet, leaving them soft and smooth.
Nicknamed ‘doctor fish’, these fish have made their way from the rivers of the Middle East into spa tanks across the globe. While the treatment has generated its fair share of buzz for its novelty and effectiveness, it has also sparked debate around hygiene and regulation. Still, for many, the fish pedicure remains a memorable and soothing experience.
Garra rufa are freshwater fish native to the river basins of Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. These small, toothless fish are part of the carp family and are best known for their ability to gently exfoliate the skin.
Rather than biting or chewing, they use suction-like mouths to feed on the dead skin cells of people who submerge their feet or hands in a warm water tank. Because they do not have teeth, the process is usually described as ticklish or slightly tingling, rather than painful.
In their natural environment, Garra rufa feed on detritus and algae. However, in warm mineral springs where food sources may be limited, the fish exhibit a unique behaviour and nibble on the skin of bathers. Those living in areas where the fish are naturally found noticed that the fish were particularly drawn to dry or callused skin.
Over time, visitors to these springs observed that bathing with the fish not only left their skin feeling smoother but also seemed to improve certain skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema. This led to growing interest in using the fish for skin treatments, first as a form of natural therapy and later as a commercial beauty service.
By the early 2000s, fish spas began popping up in Asia, especially in countries like Japan, China, and Thailand.
The trend quickly spread to Western countries, with the first major fish spa in the United States opening in Virginia in 2008. In the UK, the treatment gained traction around the same time, with fish pedicure booths appearing in shopping malls, high streets, and boutique spas.
To indulge in the innovative treatment, customers will place their feet into a tank filled with dozens, sometimes hundreds, of the tiny fish. Over the course of 15 to 30 minutes, the fish then nibble away the dry skin on heels, toes, and soles, resulting in a smoother, softer feel. The treatment is marketed as a form of natural exfoliation, particularly beneficial for those with calloused or rough skin.
Some proponents claim the treatment improves circulation, stimulates nerve endings, and provides mild stress relief as a result of the gentle sensation of the fish nibbling at the skin.
A Treatment Which Is As Controversial As It Is Unconventional
One of the most intriguing aspects of Garra rufa is that they only engage in the skin-nibbling behaviour when they are not fully satiated, which raises questions about animal welfare. In regulated spa environments, fish are not starved but are given controlled diets which encourage their exfoliation behaviour.
Another interesting point is that not all fish used in fish spas are true Garra rufa. Some spas use a similar-looking species called Chin Chin fish. These fish have teeth and can bite, potentially leading to injury. This has fueled further controversy and led to stricter regulations in many regions.
Critics also argue that the practice poses sanitation risks, since the water cannot be properly disinfected between uses and the fish cannot be sterilised without harming them. As a result, many spas have adopted rigorous cleaning protocols and limit the number of clients per tank to reduce the risk of infection.
Despite the concerns, fish pedicures are still available in select spas in the UK and the US, often as a novelty experience. In the UK, you can find Garra rufa fish spas in locations such as Happy Feet Fish Spa in Blackpool and Aqua Sheko in London, which offer a modern, clean setting with emphasis on hygiene and customer safety.
One notable location in the United States is Garrafish Spa in Las Vegas, which combines the fish treatment with a full range of foot and nail care services. Another example is Doctor Fish Day Spa in Pennsylvania, which promotes the service as a unique, relaxing experience with safety protocols in place.
Customer reactions to the treatment vary from amusement to sheer delight. Sarah Thompson, a spa visitor in London, told the BBC,
“It was the strangest thing I’ve ever tried, but it actually worked. My feet felt amazing after just 20 minutes.”
In the U.S., a Yelp reviewer at a Las Vegas fish spa wrote,
“I was skeptical, but it felt like tiny bubbles fizzing on my feet. Not painful at all, just really weird at first. I could totally see this becoming a monthly treat.”
A New York Times article from 2011 also quoted a first-time customer:
“At first, I was laughing uncontrollably. But once I got used to it, it was relaxing. My feet were noticeably smoother afterward.”
While fish pedicures may never become mainstream due to regulatory and ethical concerns, they remain one of the more unusual and talked-about treatments in the beauty industry. The role of Garra rufa in beauty rituals speaks to the ongoing human fascination with natural, unconventional approaches to self-care.
