Wedding Blog
At the tail end of 2008, I de-virginized my feet. 
For my girlfriend’s birthday, we spoiled ourselves and made a trip to Yvonne’s salon in Alexandria for an afternoon pedicure. I had never heard of these minnow-sized, flesh eating fish that nibble away at dead skin cells. The concept was so bizarre that I had to partake in the fun. Apparently, health concerns banned the usage of razor blades in pedicures and the owners of this salon discovered the ‘garra rufa’ fish as an alternative to the blade approach. I find the foot germ pool just as concerning despite the cleaning/bleaching of the individual tubs in between each client session. Anyhow, the owners have appeared on ‘The View’ and the ‘Today’ show as the innovators of this concept, and have their appearances memorialized in frames on their wall.
First off, they examine your feet for any cuts/gashes. Afterward, they seat you on a bench with a tub filled with water and hundreds of fishies.
The minute your big toe touches the surface, the fish begin to eat away anywhere from in between the toes to your ankles at the surface of the water. It’s hard to NOT squeal and flex your butt cheeks for the first 5-7 minutes of the session. In fact, I was never at the point where I thought to myself that it felt good. It’s a ticklish sensation throughout the 15 minutes as the ant-crawling/mini-suction cup mouths nibble away at the skin. The result? My feet were smoother and a bit softer, but nothing dramatic happened. It’s not something I’d add to my beauty regimen, but it was a fun and different experience with the girls. I thought it might be a fun bridal party bonding experience.
Does this pique your interest enough to give it a try?
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Share this post: Dr. Fish
How was this? I heard about it but haven’t had the nerve… i’m very ticklish!
Haha I’ve SO been wanting to try that, but no one will come with me!
P.S. Consultants from NoVA, represent! 
ERgh. I have to say this not only bothers me for sqeamish rasons, but I’ve got very mixed feelings about that from the fishes perspective.
Yep, I know I’m unusual, but as an animal rights lover and sometimes activist, I’m not kosher with the use of animals for things like this.
That said, I must say its a very interesting approach that I’ve never heard of before! Thanks for sharing!
Oh my goodness. That is interesting. I don’t know if my ticklish feet can handle it.
Oh wow! That looks neat! I am afraid I’d squeal or wanna yank my feet out at some point. haha! I think I would be a bit scared of the fish (no idea why) and squirmy….but YAY to you for giving it a try! I love the pics!
I work in Alexandria and know that place- but just the thought of the little fish freaks me out! I don’t even like to snorkel because I don’t like the thought of fish swimming around me.
That is neat, but oh my gosh, I am so scared of fish 
I would definitely freak out.
Wow, I don’t know that I could do that. The thought only freaks me out a bit. Bravo to you for trying something new.
Oh wow, that’s a bit freaky for me.
But, it makes for some unique pictures, I’ll say that! I wonder if anyone has ever tried the fishies on OTHER body parts…
Oh my…yeah, no. I’ve never even mustered up the courage to get a regular pedi, so I can’t see myself putting my feet into a tub of water so flesh eating FISH can suck away…no. But, thanks for sharing this experience. Opened my eyes to something very…interesting.
Wow, I’ve never heard of this type of pedicure! “Interesting” is the only word that comes to mind.
Thanks for sharing!!
OMG i am dying to try this! I cant find a place in New York City that has this yet =[ . They’ve been doing this in other parts of the world for years. I dont know why everyone is so freaked out. People put whale fat in lipstick for years and people didn’t - now thats gross. Not to mention that way before people used hair dye to color their hair people used cows blood. Imagine that.
I’ve never heard of such a thing…I’d have to pass, personally…Fascinating, though!
Eek! I’d try this… with a lot of hesitation and a lot of moral support!
There is absolutely no way I would be able to do this! Fish freak. me. out. & it just doesn’t seem right that those little fishies are eating dead skin of your feet. I don’t know about this one…
Thanks for posting I have a feeling it will be a hot conversation piece here in the hive!
I want to try this and I don’t want to try this you know? Ummm… I’d do it, I think I’d laugh the whole time b/c my feet are so ticklish, but I think it would be better then having someone else scrubs them.
I think it sounds fascinating, but I’m not sure if I could handle fish eating off bits of me. Even dead skin bits!
No way I could do it! I have no ethical qualms, but I can only imagine it would tickle like heck!
Haha that is too funny… actually, when my fiance and I were on a trip to Cuba, there were little fish in the sea that did this too! It was so creepy! Even though it is harmless, it was a little hard to get used to it! So if anyone wants a full-leg treatment, all you have to do is go to Cuba!
OMG - this is so nuts! What is this called? I want to scare my fiance =P
There is also a lake in Turkey (I think?) that is full of these fish. People makes treks there in order to help their psoriasis!
Yes! I read about this when I was in DC last summer! I am definitely going to try it when I get there!
I have to agree with Miss Meatball… What’s in it for the fish? I can’t imagine only eating dead skin cells is good for them….
I’m officially grossed out now… haha
I’ve never heard of using fish during pedicures. I’m not sure if I could tolerate them swimming around my feet and nibbling at my toes.
FYI, this practice is extremely unsanitary and has been banned by some states. Here’s some more info:
TDLR rules do not permit this procedure because the same fish are used on multiple customers and could transmit infectious diseases. Additionally, the use of live fish does not allow for the footbaths and the holding tank for the fish to be adequately cleaned and disinfected in accordance with the rules,” the statement said. You can read the entire statement here: http://www.license.state.tx.us/PressReleases/fishped100808.htm.
@LzzNYC: haha! i was totally thinking the same thing!
@Miss Piglet: how much did this cost if you don’t mind me asking?
This practice has also been banned in Washington State. I don’t know that there has been any documented case of disease transmission between clients due to these fish, but why find out?
I can’t imagine trying something like this. It’s fascinating, but I just don’t know if I could handle the ticklish part!
i heard of it and saw it on the news once. i’ll probally have a beer or two before i go in for my nerves, but it definitely sounds like fun to me
I’ve heard a lot about this and have been wanting to give it a try for a long time. Don’t the fish ever get full?
I’ve been thinking about doing this ever since I saw it on Ugly Betty! But the ticklish sensation keeps me away. Also I’m worried about the health issues - although if the feet are only eating dead skin it shouldn’t be that big of an issue. Humans shed dead skin cells nearly everywhere.
Yerp, I would never do that, fish totally freak me out. How can they guarantee the little critters don’t draw blood with all their chewing?
They would need to use pirahnas to get rid of the calluses on my feet…
ew. ew. ew. I had a panic attack while snorkeling in the Caribbean once due to the fish being so close to me.
More power to you, but I would rather have rough feet.
Huh … weird. I had no idea that people were freaked out by fish. I can’t imagine that fish gorging on dead skins cells is healthy though …
This is very popular in Asian countries, especially in Japan. They have these feet-eating-fishes in spa houses and is considered a luxury! I’ve tried it personally and it’s very ticklish 
I’m glad to hear this didn’t end up doing much for your feet, now I know I’m not missing out by being too icked out to try this.
ohmagaohmahaohmaga…. I heard about this one morning on the radio and almost peed myself. I’m so glad you tried it but I don’t know if I can get over my initial shock! Truth- better than a pedicure?
Hmm…that’s like the grossest idea EVER. Seriously. PETA surely has an issue with it…not that I’m a PETA fan though. Just saying. I might be able to do it if the thought of fish eating me wasn’t right up there with my worst fears. Oh my. :::shudder:::
@amy77jc: It was an unusual feeling! I would’ve never gone unless my GFs had planned it, and I will likely never go again.
@Miss Snapdragon:I think the article posted on Yvonne’s wall said they get the fish through a Chinese broker who imports them from Turkey? Don’t quote me on that.
@Miss Texas:Miss Texas! Congratulations to you and Twinspin. It was $40 for the fish treatment plus pedicure. I’m not sure this price is in comparison to other places since this was my first (and last) pedicure.
@MightySapphire: ROFL!
@Miss Meatball:
I totally agree! Freaks me out from both an aesthetic and ethical perspective.
I had heard of this before…. but it kinda gives me the heebie-jeebies! I am way too ticklish, too.
Oh, I can’t imagine this could be good for the fish… though my fiance and I had a salt water tank for a long time, and the shrimp loved to clean your fingernail cuticles if you put your hand into the tank.
Still… there’s something about fish and feet in a big tub that just seems… off. I think I’ll be sticking to my home foot-care regimen.
I’m impressed that you had the nerve to try it! Good for you!
@lilmisssha: Glad I’m not the only one who learns beauty trends from Ugly Betty.
I had heard there was a place in Alexandria that offered this, and have always thought of giving it a try…. But I’m already very ticklish when they use the razors, and I figure if a RAZOR can tickle me, the little fishies might drive me mad!
Whoa…. i’m enticed in a crazed-why-the-heck-not-have-fish-eat-the-dead-skin-off way! I know exactly which BM would go with me to! =)
Wow. Could NOT do this.
Poor fish…just eating dead skin all day. Gross.
ewww, ewww, ewww! Not to mention, that’s got to be animal cruelty or something - living off a diet of dead foot skin can’t be healthy for you. I’ll take my pumice stone anyday!
Not to mention, it’s gotta tickle like the dickens - i have enough trouble not laughing hysterically during a regular pedi
Eww no way!! I have a hard enough time letting a person touch my feet for a regular pedi, little fishies just aren’t in that equation!
I’ve been thinking about getting some fish… maybe these would be the answer! Something to talk to when I am all alone in my apartment all week long, and a system for self pedicures as well.
Awesome post — though even the thought totally creeps me out!! You are a brave soul, Piglet!
@Mrs. Avocado: ROFLOL.
This gives me the shudders, I have to be honest… High Five to you Piglet, for being all bravesy and trying it out. Certainly not a spa experience this bee wants to replicate…
I did this years ago in China. The chinese were the innovators! They also have a bath tub full of these kinda fishes. It’s kinda freaky in the beginning though. lol. I also love the korean dead skin peel spa. It’s the best.
I can barely get through a normal pedicure because my feet are so ticklish!!! I had heard about this and thought it was crazy, very interesting to read your post about it. I do feel badly for the little fish, but maybe it is like Thanksgiving everyday if they like to eat skin? (sorry, kind of gross lol)
This is definitely not cool for the fish. They often live short, sad lives, and because the water is changed so frequently they often just die. Sentient beings are really not meant for our own personal enjoyment, especially when this is really serving no true purpose!
I work here, no fish have died from frequent water changes, The fish are doing what they do in their natural habitat, they have no teeth so cannot draw blood, the cost is 45 including a pedicure, and they do get regular fish food and special vitamins.
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Mrs. Piglet, Virginia/Oahu
Age and Occupation: 28, Consultant
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Entrepreneur/Fashion Apparel Wholesale Importer
Engagement Date: June 22, 2008
Wedding Date: August 2009
Venue: Ceremony at the Lanikuhonua Phase II private estate, reception at a historic hotel in Waikiki
About Me: I'm an East Coast gal with intense road rage and an addiction to romantic comedies, fast food, gadgets, Korean BBQ, and my wiener dog George aka Georgia May. I carry mustard packets in my purse and I love perusing the aisles at discount stores. A self proclaimed shopaholic, I impulsively buy electronics, software, and craft tools; none of which I know how to use. I'm excited to dust
these babies off and immerse myself in DIY projects galore in
preparation for our DW in paradise!
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