Beauty Feet Fish Spa

This week I eventually ventured into the realms of the fish pedicure.  I have been dying to try this ever since I seen it on Eurotrash at least 10 years ago when some women in Japan had been filmed having their feet nibbled by little fishies.

Yeah, I know I should be embarrassed about watching Eurotrash ... guilty pleasures an' all that. Don't judge. ;) 

I opted to not head to my local shopping centre with their unhygienic and non fish friendly approach.  Instead I went to the newly revamped Virginia Galleries (a much loved old haunt of mine) to the very comfortable, chic and private Beauty Feet Fish Spa. 

The origin of the fish pedicure is in the Middle East and Turkey where there are plenty of naturally occuring hot springs.  The garra rufa fish that inhabit the waters are renowned for their ability to feed on dead surface skin resulting in baby soft tootsies, improved circulation and relaxation.

At Beauty Feet Fish Spa you are vetted before you go anywhere near the tanks by filling in some medical forms in advance of a therapist massaging and washing your feet in the generous sinks throughout the spa.  

Comfortable sink area at Beauty Feet Fish Spa

The owner of the salon has a background in Environmental Health so she knows healthy, safety and hygiene inside out and is very strict in her practise of this in her salon.  Verucca's are simply not allowed and you will be refused if the therapist discovers any, likewise any cuts would deter any further treatment as you would be at risk of causing or catching an infection.  Everything is done to ensure both you and the fish are not exposed to harm.  

Tanks seat 4 at a time, go with your girlies!

After your feet are all cleaned up you are escorted to your tank and this is where it does get pretty scary.  There are 200 fish per tank and the thought of sticking your feet into an abyss of hungry, squirming fish is daunting.  It took me a bit of psyching up to eventually plunge my feet in and after much internal screaming I removed my feet after about a minute.  At this point I was told there was no dipping in and out of the tanks... I was either in ... or I was out.  After some deliberation - I was in!  

Lorraines feet being mauled, green tea to relax and my feet being eaten alive! 

I squirmed and writhed around intensely on my seat for about 5 minutes before I eventually relaxed into it and in the end it felt extremely soothing.   The sensation is that of bubbles much like jacuzzi bubbles vibrating under your feet.  If you can imagine that instead of fish then you will stay sane until your 20 minutes are up.

Some tips if you want to try this for yourself ...

• Don't look down.  Try not to watch the fish nibbling away, I guarantee it will make you feel a bit squeamish and send a shiver down your spine. 
• Stick your feet in and keep them in.  The tickling sensation or squeamishness you might feel at first will subside to a pleasurable refreshment of the senses.  
• Just think of the bubbles 
• Paint your toe nails ... if 200 fish are gonna nibble your feet, you might as well make them look pretty
• Take a friend to keep you occupied ... fish don't replace the good gossip you can have with a therapist

I would totally recommend this treatment even if it is just for the experience alone but I would strongly advise you go to a reputable salon who will look after you and the fish.  

Who else has tried out this treatment?  How did you find it? 

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