“The fishes are toothless.” This is the common response of fish spa attendants to first-time customers to allay their fear of being “massaged” and “pedicured” by these tiny marine lives called Garra rufa. Also known as doctor fish or surgeon fish, Garra rufa is gaining popularity among spa operators due to its medicinal and cosmetic benefits. A 25-minute fish massage will give your feet a smoother feel and healthier appearance.
The fishes act as microexfoliants as they eat dead skin cells. Having no teeth, Garra rufa will just produce a tingling sensation on your feet for the first few minutes. Afterward, the experience will be more relaxing and sensual.
Garra rufa is indigenous to Turkey. It is believed that the medicinal benefits of these fishes were accidentally discovered by passers-by who had foot bath in hot springs inhabited by these fishes. The healing benefits of Garra rufa are attributed to the enzymes in their saliva, which reportedly treat eczema, psoriasis and other skin diseases. The most dramatic healing effects are experienced by people with psoriasis, a condition hardly responsive to most creams in the market.
Garra rufa treatments resemble natural exfoliation. The fishes nibble at the driest and most infected areas of the skin where they can get the most nutrients. In no time, the dead cells are peeled off, revealing a younger skin. The use of small fishes is more preferable because it will expose the skin to greater number of skin-nibbling mouths. The enzyme produced during this process is believed to have rejuvenating effects as well.
Over the past 5 years, the Garra rufa spas have multiplied across Asian and Western countries. However, there are 14 US states and other countries that ban fish spas due to risk of the fish transmitting diseases from one customer to another. Garra rufa spa operators maintain that the species cannot bite human flesh, so there is no apparent risk of transmitting infectious diseases. Spas also sterilize their water tanks and ask customers to clean their feet before the procedure to prevent the transmittal of diseases.
Beware that some fish spas are using flesh-biting fishes rather than Garra rufa. Chin chin can be mistaken for Garra rufa, but the former has teeth and thus causes a prickling sensation. Before your Garra rufa treatment, check if the fishes are gathering at the bottom of the pool when there is no skin to nibble. If they don’t, they most certainly belong to a different species.
To date, there is no documented fatality or serious condition arising from fish spa treatments. Some fish spas even offer whole body and facial treatments. This woman gets her face exfoliated by doctor fishes at the Argilab spa in Lebanon.
