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!!