You may have heard about the phenomenon called fish pedicures that has very much been a hype over the last year? If not well, well the basics are this: you put your feet into a tank of little black fish and they eat the dead skin off your feet - yes, really - to give you baby-soft tootsies! After reading lots of reviews and hearing my friend’s stories about having their feet nibbled at, I was keen to give this a go myself.
So this week me and my girlfriend made our way down to Anesis in Clapham Common, which is a popular destination for fish pedicures and manicures in London. We were booked in for a 30 minute Piscean pedicure.
On arrival, our treatment began with someone washing your feel with a wet towel (apparently to remove any dirt and toxics on the skin that could harm the little fish that were about to eat me!). Then we were told to just place our feet in the tank of water which was filled with about 30-40 little fish. I have to admit I was a little nervous…..but in my feet went! And wow did those fish love it or what? They immediately all stormed to my feet and within seconds my feet were covered by the fish. The feeling? My gosh, initially I was ‘squealing’ with giggles and laughter because I am very ticklish under my feet so the sensation of all these fish nibbling at your skin is very ticklish but after a few minutes you do get used to it and it becomes quite relaxing watching them do their magic. (For the fearful amongst you, it is not painful at all but there were a few slightly bigger, greedier fish that sucked harder than the smaller ones and you definitely knew when they were on you!)
Here they are all nibbling away!!
The fish used for these Piscean pedicures are Garra Rufa fish. They are native to warm climates such as Turkey, Syria and Iran and have been used for softening and cleansing the skin of bathers for centuries. In their natural habitat they act as cleaners to bigger fish removing their dead scales. They release an enzyme called diathanol which also helps to alleviate your problem areas and leave your skin soft and youthful. Plus they must get a good feed, while your feet are exfoliated, making everyone a winner!
So after 30 minutes of having my feet nibbled at, feeling nice and relaxed, a lady at the salon dried my feet and that was it. The result? My feet did indeed feel noticeably softer, with the hardest skin feeling significantly less rough. Plus it’s a fun experience so definitely enjoyed myself!
Wahanda (a FAB online website that provides access to the best beauty & wellness treatments and therapists) is currently offering a great 2 for 1 deal at Anesis in London. Check it out here! Or click here to find your local salon (in UK/Europe) that provides Fish Pedicures!
Think you will let your feet be nibbled at? ;) xoxo
