Something Fishy about Garra Rufa Pedicures??

Right, anyone who knows me well knows I ADORE fish pedicures. However lately they have been getting an awful lot of bad press with accusations such as spreading hepatitis C and HIV. So now everyone is running away scared... Trying to park my bias  I decided it was only right to investigate a little further and bring you a fair and impartial review..

The Detail:
Ok so the little fishy at the center of all the fuss are called Garra Rufa or more commonly known as Doctor fish. They are a member of the carp family and originated in Turkey. They are pretty small measuring anything from around 3cm with a maximum length of about 14cm. The story goes that in the hot springs in Turkey and the Middle East (their natural habitat) food was scarce and they started "nibbling" on the dead skin on humans who were bathing in the springs. I use inverted commas for the word nibbling because the Garra Rufa are actually toothless and really suck as opposed to nibble (much less scary already - huh?). Most service providers and reports on these fish claim that the dead skin they suck off actually nourishes the little fishy - therefore creating a happy symbiosis. However it is reported also that they do not in reality feed off the dead skin but rather slough it off while foraging for food

The Images:

So here he is... not the prettiest of fish but lets be honest its a foot spa not an aquarium so aesthetics are not hugely relevant.

 

And here they are at work... (if you are of a delicate nature re feet or fish perhaps skip past this one!)

And here is a picture from one of my sessions... the lack of fish is unfortunately something I have found with a number of service providers here in Dublin..

The Sciencey/Welfare Bit:

So these little dudes work their magic in conditions most comparable to their natural habitat - ie warm water and a scarce source of food. The warm water bit is a nightmare as moisture and heat are two things bacteria absolutely thrive on. Therefore all service providers should have strict hygiene standards in place. The risks of infection are twofold - transmission of infection via the fish (through open wounds) and transmission of infection via the water.  

There has also been a number of welfare issues raised in this arena in relation to the fishies themselves.  Obviously they need a stable environment in which to thrive and ultimately survive. Changes in the temperature can prove fatal not to mention the quality of the water. Oxygen levels and exposure to chemicals may also cause seriosus problems for these little guys. The symbiotic nature of the treatment means it works both ways... if the human has open wounds or infections or cosmetics (fake tan, nail polish etc) this can be as detrimental to the fish as the transmission of infection from them to us. 

The Conclusion:

While the procedure is banned in many states in the US, to date, reports and expert opinions in the UK and Ireland have found it to be a relatively low risk treatment for the average individual. Individuals more vulnerable to infection - such as people with diabetes and people undergoing chemotherapy have been advised to avoid this therapy.

I have had MANY a fish pedicure and to date have not had any issues. Having had the pleasure of  studying pool plant management and maintaining various swimming and therapy pools in a previous lifetime I can assure you all I am incredibly cautious before dipping my toes in any volume of water. You will know quite quickly if the service provider appears to be adhering to satisfactory hygiene standards. Look for a venue that is clean,  has policies in place to protect the fish (ie refusal of any clients with tan, nail polish etc and policies to protect you (ie refusal of any clients with infections/contagious skin conditions). Your feet should be cleaned prior to immersing them into your own individual tank which should have a filtration system in place for the water.

Finally - I hear you ask - are they worth all the hassle? In my opinion absolutely. As a die hard stiletto wearer and an aspiring ballerina in my formative years I have always suffered from rough, dry skin on my feet. I find regular sessions really make a dramatic impact. It is incredibly relaxing and barely noticeable in terms of sensation. The only pet peeve of mine is when a newbie is in the tank next to you and they insist on squealing for their entire session (for no apparent reason other than the squirm factor of having fish on their feet?!) - kind of killing my intended zen experience. 

P.S. For best results do not book a session on or after peak hours unless the salon has plenty of tanks which they rotate. Otherwise you will be like my feet above and left lonely in the water while happily fed fish swim by ignoring them!!

Teeth Whitening Toothpastes...Do they Really Work??

So after a couple of blog topic requests it became apparent that I am not the only one out there obsessed with dental care, particularly when it comes to the seemingly endless endeavors in achieving the perfect pearly whites!  While normally I consider myself to be quite savvy and immune to clever marketers claims but when it comes to toothpaste I just can't resist and more often than not succumb to new wonderpastes that claim to do the virtually impossible!  Guests Chez-Suzi are often bemused by my selection of toothpastes from which to choose - herby pastes, minty fresh pastes, extra foaming gels, whitening pastes - the list is endless! My latest addition I hear you ask?? Well of course, the recent entrant on supermarket shelves - Colgate Max White One.

The Detail:

Quite simple this one really - Colgate have a specialist range called Max White which has been about for a couple of years now. This summer they launched its latest addition - Max White One with a tag line "One shade lighter in one week". This bold claim combined with fancy terms like "accelerator micro-crystals" and "sensational mint" made me squeal with delight as off I went in hunt of this, finally the toothpaste to remove the evidence of my guilty pleasures (copious amounts of black coffee and red wine that is). At €5+ per 75mls I was a little taken aback to say the least and sense reining supreme I left it on the shelf...that is until I found it half price last month during a trip across the boarder. Only deeeelighted with myself I brought it home - removed all other pastes from the cluttered sink rack and placed, with much satisfaction, my max white one alongside my electric toothbrush (yes, Oral B sucked me in a long time ago!)

The Images:

I won't lie - the funky silver packaging is a definite plus - it looks uber cool (if indeed toothpaste can lay claim to such properties) on my sink...

Here's some on my toothbrush!! (Oral-B just had to get a look in!)...

And because I thought it was still difficult to really see the product I put some on the back of my hand (there are tiny blue "crystals" in the gel)...

The Sciencey Bit:
Right - so Colgate attribute all of the credit to their "accelerator micro-crystals" to you and me the dark little blue dots in the lighter blue gel. Basically these crystals contain hydrated silica which is an abrasive used for removing stains and preventing plaque build up. In larger forms this is also used in tooth bleaching. Apparently these crystals are formulated to stay intact in the tube but dissolve instantly on contact with teeth releasing the whitening silica.

The Conclusion:
While it remains a little unclear as to whether this is in fact a whitening/bleaching toothpaste or simply just a stain removing abrasive it leaves your mouth feeling super clean. After a few days I was a little disappointed to see no drastic changes but liked the paste so continued to use it despite this. However, soon after I started noticing a gradual brightening and loss of yellow discolouration. After about 10 days there was a notable change in shade and I seem to be maintaining this for the past four days as I've continued to use it. While its directions say to brush for 2 minutes 3 times a day in reality I probably only managed 2 brushes most days. I'm actually really happy with the results and will definitely continue to use it but at €5 per tube probably not everyday. Now that I've gotten the whiter teeth I set out for I'm hoping occasional use will help maintain these...time will tell!

Molton Brown Dupes at ALDI!!

As a keen Molton Brownie you can only imagine my excitement as I tripped down to the local Aldi to discover if indeed it was true and they have launched a range of shower gels and hand wash dupes via their inhouse Abbott & Broome brand. They have and OMG they are amazing!!

The Detail:
The range includes 3 luxurious liquid handwashes priced at €1.49 each compared to a hefty €17.50 for the MB equivalent and a further 3 luxurious bath and shower gels priced at €1.99 compared to €20 for the MB equivalent. Having to restrain myself from snapping the entire box up (at least until they'd received my stamp of approval) I very carefully (and maturely I might add!) selected one hand wash and one shower gel. The packaging is a ringer for their muse not to mention the scents! I selected the "Carageen Irish Moss" handwash for direct comparison to my MB mini equivalent called "energising seamoss" and the "Devine Gingerlilly" which I assumed, hoped and prayed with much anticipation was a suitable equivalent to MB's "Heavenly Gingerlilly" - the scent that started off my love affair with the MB range many years ago!

The Images:
So below is the Abbott & Broome ones:

And here is the Abbott & Broome Handwash (Carrageen Irish Moss), An empty MB Handwash (for comparison) and the MB equivalent of this scent in a mini (Energising Seamoss)

The Sciencey Bit:

So ok - the look almost identical, they smell identical and they foam and cleanse as good as the MB range - surely there must be some difference given the ginormous price differential?? In truth not really. I spent quite a bit of time (sad individual that I am) analyzing the ingredients in the two brands moss scent. Both have SLS in them and both have Cocamide DEA. The Aldi range does also have MIT which the Molton Brown one does not. However likewise the Molton Brown one has a couple of parabens which the Aldi one apears to be free of! The Aldi one uses two colours where as the MB one uses just one. The MB one has horse chesnut seed extract as well as fucus vesiculosus (seaweed to you and I) while Aldi just uses the latter. I must admit I was somewhat shocked at the level of sulphates and other not so luxurious ingredients in my Molton Brown - I had always just assumed that the pricetag it carried meant it was full of healthy and natural ingredients!

The Conclusion:

Abbott & Broome get my vote and I will most definitly be ending my MB love affair. Granted A&B have copied my favourite scent so it's not a toughie for me. Perhaps an extension of range into hand and body lotions as well as a few more scents may make it an even easier decision but at a saving of  €18 a bottle I can now use my favourite shower gel every day thanks to the clever people at Aldi!