You may have been walking around some of the big shopping centres in the UK recently whilst noticing through various shop windows people sitting around dangling their feet in what appears to be a container of water or a fish tank! If you have yet to establish what this this activity which is becoming ever so more popular throughout the country is, then let us explain a bit more!
What you are seeing is one of the fastest growing crazes in Britain, the ‘Fish Pedicure‘ beauty treatment! Yes you read that correct, is basically involves placing your bear feet under water and letting lots of little tiny fish nibble at the dead and dry skin.
A wide range of health benefits are claimed from this latest treatment. They include that once the dry skin is removed you will be left with softer and smoother feet. Circulation is supposed to be improved in your feet, ankles and legs, and foot odour is reduced due to the bacteria being eaten away that can cause it. There are also claims that it can help with the treatment of eczema and psoriasis, although this does not come with conclusive evidence.
There is however also some negative opinions about this latest craze. There are some theories that the treatment can have more of negative affect on ailments such as eczema and psoriasis as well as the potential of the fish spreading disease due to their origination (river basins found mainly in the Middle East). Due to the above, the procedure is now on the health authority’s radar as well as being high up the list of various animal rights campaigns. If there is however a legitimate reason to be concern or worry regarding the spread of disease and infection, it has yet to be found.
Recent interviews with various business owners of this latest craze claimed that every effort was being made to ensure the fish are properly looked after. This included optimum water temperatures and quality, and that guidelines had been provided to all staff members to ensure the fish were taken care. Furthermore, in the long run this will lead to better and more adequate treatment of the consumers feet!
It does seem that this is just another new and trendy treatment that has quickly caught on and hence people seem to want to join the cause and either try the treatment or find an excuse to extinguish it. So far, there is no sufficient evidence to back up the health benefits or negatives. Various people have commented that they have tried the treatment and actually enjoyed it. The dry and dead skin was removed and their feet definitely felt smother to the touch afterwards. Many people also reported it took them a while to get used to all the tiny fish nibbling away at their feet at first however!
Let us know your comments or opinions on this new ‘fish pedicures treatment’, we would be interested to know if you have tried it and if you were happy with the results.
