♥
Nom. Fish pedicure. Two words that really look a little strange together don’t you think? The beauty world is abuzz with these little feet eating fishies.
I recently received an e-mail from a reader that I’m going to share with you:
“Hi, I am interested to know if there is a place in Perth where I can get a fish pedicure. I had one of these in Thailand and found it to be the best pedicure I have ever had. I would really appreciate your response to this.
Many thanks”
So first of all lets get some fast facts about what a fish pedicure actually involves!
♥ Feet are placed into a small pool or tub of warm water, where Garra Rufa (commonly known as Doctor Fish) are present.
♥ Dr Fish are toothless, love eating dead skin flakes & are used because they leave the living skin untouched!
♥ Your feet are nibbled at for 15-45 minutes.
♥ It is reported to be VERY ticklish at first!
♥ When the pedicure is over, you are meant to be left with baby soft feet.
The treatment is extremely popular in many Asian countries, especially in high-tourist areas.
Now here is where I break your heart a little bit after building you up to be all keen on some critters munching on your tootsies…
There are some prevalent health, hygiene & cruelty concerns when it comes to fish pedicures.
♥ Investigations in the United States have led to the banning of fish pedicures in Florida, Texas & New Jersey.
♥ “Unlike standard pedicure procedures, which have strict sanitation and equipment sterilization standards mandated by state laws nationwide, it is impossible to sanitize or sterilize the hundreds of fish used in the fish pedicure treatment.” (source)
♥ “the study found that fish pedicures are unsanitary and may lead to the spread of fungal and bacterial infections through small cuts or lesions in customer’s feet”
♥ The fish are starved when pedicures aren’t being performed, in order for them to consume an amount of dead skin considered adequate for a ‘successful pedicure’.
♥ As they thrive in a warm water environment, there are questions as to whether salons keep the water heated during times when the salon is not operating.
So it appears unlikely that fish pedicures will be making their way to our shores (legally in any case) anytime soon, due to these concerns.
We’ll just have to stick to our regular deluxe salon pedicures & ped-eggs
If you’ve had a fish pedicure, leave a comment and let me know how you found it!
Be well,
xoxo
Oh my god I’d never heard of this. Im repulsed and intrigued at the same time!
I can imagine how ticklish this would be.. I’d be worried that my squirming feet would squash the fish.. would love to try it at least once though
It’s pretty bizarre / interesting. It would be quite good to have your own personal supply of little fishies at home… feeding them every day on your dead skin flakes… haha!
Thanks for stopping by 🙂 x
So can we buy these fish in Australia or Perth?!
The concerns illustrated in this article don’t overly concern me!
Isaak I haven’t been able to find that information unfortunately!
The fish are native to Turkey and from what I’ve seen, you can buy them online… I don’t know about customs and how many of the critters would actually survive though, even if they did get through. Turkey to Perth is a pretty long journey!
My sister and I spent a week in Kuala Lumpur in 2008 shopping. Before we left home we researched fish pedicures in Malaysia and were determined to try this on our trip. What a wonderful experience – we went 5 times during our shopping week and would recommend the experience to everyone. Our feet were very tired after many hours of trekking through the many shopping centres in KL so we looked forward to a fish pedicure at the end of the day to rejuvinate our tired feet.
Our first time was very funny as we screamed for the first 5 minutes while getting used to hundreds of little fish nibbling at our feet and legs. At least we provided the Malaysians with a good laugh! We had our feet submerged for half an hour and then finished the experience off with a lovely foot massage. Our feet felt wonderful and smooth and it truly felt that the circulation in our ankles and feet had improved. We looked forward to this experience at the end of each day and were very disappointed when this experience came to an end. I would not hesitate to have a fish pedicure again and would recommend you try it at least once if you can.
That’s great Louise!
Thanks so much for sharing your experience, it’s interesting to read that you said you thought the circulation had been improved as well.
A foot massage after a long day of shopping sounds divine as well… I might have to start doing that! 🙂
I have just come back from bali where we had the doctor fish treatment.
It was awesome. The guy running it says he does it every 3 or so days and his feet were as soft as a baby’s.
It does tickle and takes a few minutes to get used to, but sio well worth it – i enjoyed walking for the rest of the day just to feel my feet move in my shoes! Also, the mozzie bites I had stopped itching after the fish had nibbled on them.
If they ever come to perth, I want to be first in li ne!
Just came back from Bali where I experienced the fish pedicure. I am one who is renowned for extremely ticklish feet, and have even been known to kick people when they have touched my feet, so I was a bit dubious about the fish eating my feet! However, after getting over the first minute or so, I fell in love with this procedure! It feels like a soft vibration on your feet and legs, and when you are finished, you think you are walking on air. I would recommend this to anyone who gets the chance to do it!
Just returned from Malaysia, where we experienced the fish foot pedicure.
It was amazing. Was the best pedicure I have had and so gentle. My feet 6 weeks later are still looking good.
My son ( 22) also had one and loved it , my daughter (28) couldn’t come at the idea at all.Seems that some people just wont like it at all, but for me it was relaxing, definitely improved my feet circulation and better than taking a sharp razor to them.
You open up in Melbourne and i will be there every week.
It is definitely a winner.
I recently had fish pedicure in Malaysia and Thailand. I can reiterate that it was wonderful, and I felt there was less chance of me picking up a disease or fungus from the fish than from the communal tools used when I get pedicuren here in Australia. Also, some chronic patches of tinea cleared up after the fish spa and those tough little bits you can’t reach yourself were gone. I would love to see this introduced in Australia, but fear concerns over introducing a new species rather than cruelty to the fish would prevent it.
Wow! There are so many people getting on the wagon expressing their love for fishy pedicures!
Apparently there is a guy who lives in Essendon Victoria who is in a batle with the goverment / Quarrantine in getting these fish imported into the country, For the last 16 months i reckon would have taken a toll, but he is battleing, if he gets through, he will be opening up shop in Melbourne and then franchise it out to other states apparently if the goverment gives him a breeders licence
Cheers Harry
Harry,
Any idea who the guy is that you mentioned and how he can be contacted ?
my fiance & I recently went 2 bali, and like many others- were repulsed yet intrigued at th same time.
But we loved it! Honestly the best pedicure I’ve ever had. I have bad circulation -but My feet were tingling 4 th next 3 days as I was actually getting blood circulation in my feet 4 once!
I really want some of these in melbourne. I’d b there every wk -and I hardly ever treat myself 2 any type of beauty therapy!
I agree that I’d rather have fish nibbling my feet then some awful tool digging at them.
So there u go… Completely converted!
I had the Garra Ruffa treatment in Singapore
It cured a rash I had on my legs for a few months
Highly recomended
lm from malaysia, fish spas are very popular and been around for a while here and I hv never heard anyone complain after a treatment. how else can u get baby smooth feet, cure skin irritations and a relaxing foot massage in under 30mins. there’s absolutely no case of infections or cruelty to the fishies either, as operators make sure their source of income are well taken care of… goodluck to the guy trying to get a licence coz the business will definitely be in demand in aust. hope everyone gets to try it…
Highly recomended!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was the best experience ever for my feet, I have very dry skin, pedicures, creams and soaks etc dont work on my feet I have gone to extremes trying different products with no luck. When I went to Bali in May 2010 as soon as I saw these little fish I thought I have to give it ago, I did hesitate cause I have very very touchy feet. Anyway put the feet in and had chuckle and thought yep this just feels like one of those foot spa’s, those little fish clung from knees down to my toes, it looked like i had black hug boots on. Was amazing
My feet have never looked so good, they were AWESOME!!!!!
I understand the health and hygiene factor in Australia, but gee we must be able to work something out here, and dont allow people to use it if they have cuts/sores or open wounds
come on Australia we need this in our country now get with the program!
I have already booked my return trip to Bali and part of that purpose is to feel those little gems work a treat on my feet!!!!
BRING IT ON!!!
Hi SJ!
I love the enthusiasm in your comment, very cute!
Good to hear your experience, thanks for stopping by. x
Im so intrigued!!
To those that had it doem in Bali where was it as Im going in Nov……I would love to go check it out.
Thanks xx
Hi Hairjo
At Kuta Square the department store is called ‘Matahari’ right at the entrance!
Its fantastic – highly suggest this one. I am sure you will see them all over Bali, as you will see them in the windows of a lot of little shops but this one looked the cleanest and for about 50,000 rupia BARGIN cheapest and the best pedicure ever!
Enjoy !!!
Cheers SJ
I am heading to Bali in under a month and this is the first stop I am making…can’t wait, I have terrible circulation in my feet so I think I will be going more than once. I will let you know how I go
Made a trip into Kuta and after wandering around for a while being disappointed with kuta itself and all the hawkers we came across a Dr Fish set up in the mall. Was curious but not all that interested until the man said “come try put in your hand” Hubby looked at me thinking that I would never let fish eat at my feet he said I’ll do it too if you want to!! So off came our shoes they cleaned our feet off and in they went. What a extremely different intense (but only for a minute or two) sensation it was. I have very bad dry cracked heals and after one 20 minute spa they were 3 times better than before. So two days later while walking thru Seminyak we came across another and in my feet went for another go!!! I can’t get over how good they are!!! If they ever let it happen in Oz I would be a frequent customer!!! or even a franchisee!!!
Does this exist in Sydney yet??????
Hi Sarah
No where in Australia due to health concerns, which is a damn shame
I think surely there would be away around it, apparently a number of people have tried but no luck! Back to bali for my feet im counting down the months……
I have just returned from Phuket and had two fish spas – awesome! It was only 200 baht (about $7 AUD) for 20 minutes. First few minutes were VERY ticklish but then you get used to it. A friend who went with me had an ingrown toenail, and the fish swarmed on it! The fish definietely seem to know where the problem areas are. Feet felt soft and wonderful after. Highly recommended.
As other have said, had this in Singapore and LOVED it. My feet felt amazing afterwards!!
Any update on whether they’re legal yet?
Still not legal in Australia, I think that due to the things I’ve mentioned in the article it’s pretty unlikely that they will be.
However I read an article recently that you can have one in Singapore now, so who knows!
I am currently in Siem Reap in Cambodia and have just come back to my hotel after receiving a fish massage. It was VERY ticklish at first but after about 10 mins, my feet got used to the feeling of it.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who has the chance. A great experience!
would really like to know if and when the garra ruffa fish are legally available in australia my wife has had this treatment in england and loved it, not as exotic as bali but the feelings were just the same. excellent. Is there anyone / office (government or otherwise) that may be approached to lobby so this service becomes available in australia. Or, indeed, anyone we can get in touch with to support their endeavours in making this brilliant treatment legally available in australia.
My friend and I had a fish pedicure recently in Barcelona. It’s extremely ticklish at first but then feels a lot like bubbles popping against your feet. The salon was very busy and the tanks were “rested” for 20 min to half and hour at a time, the owner explained the care of the fish to us, they are well maintained and the tanks where extremely clean and well taken care of. I’m curious about the health concerns people are having, if the fish are toothless how are they causing little cuts? I’m quite interested to know.
Thanks.
Was hoping they would have one in Perth.Over being tortured at those day spas some of them are so rough and my feet are so sensitive. First in line in Perth
So, is there a clinic in perth that offers a fish spa? Ta
I had a treatment in Phuket,Thailand,found so great and relaxing my feet and legs felt so soft,wheree we had it done the people washed our legs and feet before we could put our feet in the water with the fish,I would love to knw if they will ever have it here,as i am in a small business in beauty and nails from home and would love to have it here to offer to my clients aswell as my self….now have to wait again till oct this year to have my pedicure from the fish…
Hi Tracey
In my follow ups, apparently there have been a few people trying to set it up in Australia, but get turned away because of the health issue.
I back in Bali on the 10th March counting the sleeps…..and have just found out there is a fish spa right out the front of the resort – so excited I think I’ll be there almost everyday!!!
Good luck if you can find out further about bringing it to OZ, If I here any more I will be sure to post it on this site.
Cheers
SJ (Qld)
Hi Faye
Sorry no fish spa in OZ apparently to many health issues here.
Cheers
SJ (Qld)
I had a fish pedicure in Singapore in mid-2009 and loved it. It was extremely ticklish (especially between the toes) but so much fun. My feet felt so soft afterwards and looked better than any $90 one-hour pedicures I’ve had in Perth. In fact, it is a regular occurrence for me to receive at least one cut from a nail technician in Perth which sometimes remains largely ignored until I point it out to them because it stings so much. I have much more faith in the little fishies!
One thing I would say is that it’s clear the fish have brought many of us such a wonderful service so I think in return it’s fair to consider putting in some guidelines for their well-being in terms of temperature control, feeding and resting. I am ashamed to say that I didn’t even think of those things whilst I was at the fish pedicure salon, but did observe that one tank of fish were rested and their tank cleaned out whilst I was there.
I too am concerned about the potential downsides of reckless people having access to these fish without responsible management for our environment. FIngers crossed there is some way of seeing these little fishies on Australian shores in the future without becoming our next cane toad, because like many other posters, I’d be fighting for first place in line!
Have heard there is a fishspa in Sydney. Would be interested in more information on this subject.
WM
Huge problems with importing the fish to begin with and then the health concerns on top of that. The only way to keep everyone happy would be to use fresh water and new fish for every customer and the fish would need to be destroyed in accordance with contaminated waste laws just like with medical waste and syringes. It is an awesome experience and at no point did I feel like my health was at risk (had in done at Central Market in Kuala Lumpur for those interested). Too much scaremongering goes on in the western world to ever allow something like this to go ahead over here. From what I understand, the risk is minimal and less than 1 in 1000 people ever suffer negative effects
What about if you just wanted the fish for your private use at home would you be allowed to import them into australia then
I tried this in Koh Samui 2 days before we were due to come home. I’d seen them & was intrigued but doubted that I’d try it just because of the thought of it. My friend took the plunge & went for a 30min full body treatment & her skin felt amazing & she raved about it, so I tried it, taking the full plunge (bikini’s on of course!! – they wouldn’t let you go naked if you wanted to) and I LOVED it that much I went back the next day to do it again before we came home!!! It took me 3 goes to actually get in there because the thought freaked me out & I’m ticklish & it tickled a bit, but after 5mins it was completely relaxing. They feel like thousands of tiny little spa jets on your body & when it’s done, the best way to describe your skin is like a bottle of bubbly – completely aerated!!! Not to mention shiny & soft like nothing I’ve ever felt before…..
An amazing & extremely different experience, which if you can last the first 5mins, you will undoubtedly go back for seconds!!!
My sister and I tried this In Manchester – UK in February. Brilliant my feet felt great. The beauty therapist said they feed the fish as well and they have to use some sort of chemicals in the tanks for the fish every day – not sure what. I fancy having my own tank. I’m not a fan of fish as pets but these I could like!!!
I had my first experience with the fish today in a shopping centre in High Wycombe (UK) and it was great. Not sure if it is just a novel fad or whether it is something that will be around for years to come. It brought a smile to everyone’s faces and we were chatting to each other in the store (unheard of !), so in my view it’s a great idea as long as the fish aren’t being harmed in any way.
I’m emigrating to Perth later this year and would love to set up my own business using these fish.
Having just returned from Phuket, my husband and 2 children (age 7 and 12) all went to a fish doctor. There were a lot which the tanks did not look clean and the water looked muggy (presumably all the dead skin and dirt coming off the feet) but the one we went to they all had to wash their feet first and the tanks were remarkably clear. They all loved it and would recommend it. They did not charge me for my son as I dont think they expected him to like it but he sat there the whole 20 minutes that my husband and daughter sat there. It would be great if they could get them over here.
Whenever I am in Kuala Lumpur for work, I make it a point to go to Kinko Fish Spa. It is in the swank Pavilion centre (think designer central with all your major labels: Louis Vuitton, Prada, Burberry etc), smack bang in the middle of the bustling city.
I’ve had the fish spa 3 times already. The second my feet go into the pools/tanks, I can’t help but break out into uncontrollable laughter (I have very ticklish feet). There are 2 different tanks: one with smaller fish and one with larger. Once in a while, you’ll get a particularly feisty fish that gives you a bit of ‘toothless’ nip (feels like a slight pinch).
The actual Fish Spa is very clean (everyone has to scrub their feet – up to the knees – with a vinegar-ish smelling liquid beforehand; and there are very strict rules on people with cuts/open skin not being allowed to use the fish spa), and it’s also very calming. The surrounds allow you to gaze out at the busy city several floors below as you’re having your feet nibbled on.
Each fish spa runs for 30 minutes. I always team up the fish spa with a foot and back massage at Kinko (30 minutes) – highly recommended combo. From memory, it costs about AU$35.
I always leave Kinko’s feeling completely Zen, as well as completely rejuvenated after a good amount of time raucously laughing. I could not recommend trying a fish spa enough (just make sure it’s a sanitary place). Each trip, I have managed to bring ‘recruits’ from work who all have a complete blast as well. It ends up the highlight of our trip!
I wrote about my experience at the fish spa in my blog. It’s under the entry “I am the egg, and (fish) food for thought.”
i tried it back in 2008 in KL Malaysia- cant remember how much it cost but it was very cheap. It was down a street in Chinatown where the whole street was filed with beauty parlours, hair salons, massage parlours and spas. You cant get ripped off because competition is so high, so long as theres signage with prices stated clearly.
Two of us sat in a pool for half an hour. It was ticklish at first then you kinda get used to it and its quite nice.The fish really do eat off practically all the dead skin, its awesome! I get a bit embarassed going to get a pedi bc i have very bad circulation in my legs and therefore alot of dead skin around my feet. This way i dont have to deal with the embarasment of having a poor girl slave over my feet.
I read up somewhere the saliva of the fish is good for your skin when they nibble at your feet, and helps with circulation. I would have to agree it does work. Usually my feet swell badly in Asia, but once i did the fish spa the swelling went away completely.
The size of the fish is important- better to go for small fish than big ones, as one girlfriend of mine was bleeding from wound where one big fish nibbled away at. She said the big fish could really pinch. I had no such issues with the small fish! And make sure you go to a nicer place where they have only two seats per tank. Some cheaper places cram customers in.
Would recommend it to anyone, especially if they get swollen ankles.
My girlfriend and I have just retturned from Bali. We came across a ‘fish foot spa’ in Ubud and decided to give it a go. Our feet and lower legs were first wiped with a towel. At first it was a little ticklish but we soon got the feel for it. I also put my hand, which has a lot of sun damage on it, and the little fishys loved this too. I must have had a lot of ‘dead skin’ cos they thought I was delicious and soon had most of the fish nibbling at me. We loved the sensation and our laughter soon bought a crowd around – lots of fun.
After drying off, our skin felt wonderful and smooth. Would love one in my backyard.
love it wish it was on the gold coast i would be there
This type of therapy was a sensory delight if nothing else & one that I would highly recommend as a positive experience. I tried it in Cambridge UK last month, whilst on holiday & after seeing photos of family members who had also tried it. I am researching information on this therapy & am eager to find out how it could be introduced to Australia. I am keen to find out from Harry who posted a comment back in Feb 26 2010 , if there has been any update on the guy in Essendon who has been trying to pursue this business idea??! It certainly would be a very attractive & I have no doubt, popular treatment/experience!!!!!