A Different Beauty Date

picture is borrowed from the Internet and is very true to the experience

Before going off to Ikea yesterday to secure this winter's supply of candles/napkins and Swedish foodstuff, I had an appointment for a different kind of beauty treatment. The Ladies Who Dine had among other things got me a gift voucher for my birthday for a

fish pedicure...

I have to admit I was slightly sceptical at first, but thought

"hey, you only live once, so why not.."

I arrived for my appointment and I was seated in a very comfortable chair while my feet were gently washed by the beauty technician. She then turned the chair and a tank of water with hundreds of tiny little fish swimming around in it appeared. She ordered me to put my feet in and I have to admit I was slightly worried and carefully dipped one foot in - ready to jank it out if need be. The school of fish immediately rushed over to the immersed foot and I giggled as it felt like what I assume it must feel to put my feet in fizzy water (no, have not done THAT before)! I immersed the other foot in the water and a bunch of them came over to the other foot.

It was very strange.

"You will relax into it", said the technician. And she was right. It took a good 10 minutes for me to just sit and watch the fish do their thing and I finally agreed that "no, they are not chewing my feet off" and "yes, it is weirdly comfortable". The fish does not have teeth, rather they are sucking the dead skin cells off. This is apparently a very ancient technique, discovered in Turkey or perhaps in Far East Asia, I believe. For generations, it seems these finned therapists (species Garra rufa) have been employed in the treatment of skin conditions, particularly eczema and psoriasis. It's all to do with the fish saliva as the enzyme (diathanol),  improves the skin regeneration process.

The technician explained how the water was constantly being filtered and that it was completely cleaned between each customer's treatment.

In some countries apparently, they go for whole-body, full-immersion fish spas.

I don't think I could do THAT!

Would I go again?

Hmmm... think it is a case of 'been there, done that'.

The 30-min feet-sucking fish did make the skin feel a bit softer, but I think a good 'normal' pedicure would be equally beneficial.

Besides, the fish didn't paint my nails...

 ;-)