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PrintFish pedicures: Carp rid human feet of scaly skin
Mon Jul 21, 2008 6:59 AM EDT
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ALEXANDRIA — Ready for the latest in spa pampering? Prepare to dunk your tootsies in a tank of water and let tiny carp nibble away.
Fish pedicures are creating something of a splash in the D.C. area, where a northern Virginia spa has been offering them for the past four months. John Ho, who runs the Yvonne Hair and Nails salon with his wife, Yvonne Le, said 5,000 people have taken the plunge so far.
"This is a good treatment for everyone who likes to have nice feet," Ho said.
He said he wanted to come up with something unique while finding a replacement for pedicures that use razors to scrape off dead skin. The razors have fallen out of favor with state regulators because of concerns about whether they're sanitary.
Ho was skeptical at first about the fish, which are called garra rufa but typically known as doctor fish. They were first used in Turkey and have become popular in some Asian countries.
But Ho doubted they would thrive in the warm water needed for a comfortable footbath. And he didn't know if customers would like the idea.
"I know people were a little intimidated at first," Ho said. "But I just said, 'Let's give it a shot.' "
Customers were quickly hooked.
Tracy Roberts, 33, of Rockville, Md., heard about it on a local radio show. She said it was "the best pedicure I ever had" and has spread the word to friends and co-workers.
"I'd been an athlete all my life, so I've always had calluses on my feet. This was the first time somebody got rid of my calluses completely," she said.
First time customer KaNin Reese, 32, of Washington, described the tingling sensation created by the toothless fish: "It kind of feels like your foot's asleep," she said.
The fish don't do the job alone. After 15 to 30 minutes in the tank, customers get a standard pedicure, made easier by the soft skin the doctor fish leave behind.
Ho believes his is the only salon in the country to offer the treatment, which costs $35 for 15 minutes and $50 for 30 minutes. The spa has more than 1,000 fish, with about 100 in each individual pedicure tank at any given time.
Dennis Arnold, a podiatrist who four years ago established the International Pedicure Association, said he had never heard of the treatment and doubts it will become widespread.
"I think most people would be afraid of it," he said.
Customer Patsy Fisher, 42, of Crofton, Md., admitted she was nervous as she prepared for her first fish pedicure. But her apprehension dissolved into laughter after she put her feet in the tank and the fish swarmed to her toes.
"It's a little ticklish, actually," she said.
Ho said the hot water in which the fish thrive doesn't support much plant or aquatic life, so they learned to feed on whatever food sources were available — including dead, flaking skin. They leave live skin alone because, without teeth, they can't bite it off.
In addition to offering pedicures, Ho hopes to establish a network of Doctor Fish Massage franchises and is evaluating a full-body fish treatment that, among other things, could treat psoriasis and other skin ailments.
Ho spent a year and about $40,000 getting the pedicures up and running, with a few hiccups along the way.
State regulations make no provision for regulating fish pedicures. But the county health department — which does regulate pools — required the salon to switch from a shallow, tiled communal pool that served as many as eight people to individual tanks in which the water is changed for each customer.
The communal pool also presented its own problem: At times the fish would flock to the feet of an individual with a surplus of dead skin, leaving others with a dearth of fish.
"It would sometimes be embarrassing for them but it was also really hilarious," Ho said.
___
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{"commentId":2250929,"authorDomain":"benjaminstraight"}
Wow. A weird fashion trend that didn't come out of Hollywood. And there is nothing like spending money on the necessities during an economic downturn.
{"commentId":2250929,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"benjaminstraight"}
- 1 vote
#26 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:13 AM EDT{"commentId":2250985,"authorDomain":"cookster693"}
This CAN'T be sanitary and it's cruel to the fish...
{"commentId":2250985,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"cookster693"}
#27 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:30 AM EDT{"commentId":2251018,"authorDomain":"helloimjunedy"}
yeah these fish pedicure things are awesome!! ive been in korea for the past year and its extremely popular here. i think everyone should try it!! its a good experience and it tickles...BAHAHAHAHA
{"commentId":2251018,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"helloimjunedy"}
- 1 vote
#28 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:40 AM EDT{"commentId":2251076,"authorDomain":"swtgeorpeac"}
Has anyone thought about the diseases that might be spreading to the fish from eating dead flesh from person to person or that those diseases could possibly spread from one person to the next? I'm a nail technician and I know that you don't have to have fish in the water to soften your skin....there are products for that and water will soften them to a point where you can remove the callous anyway. You don't have to use the razor blades....those are so unsanitary and while they are a quick fix they make the callous grow back even quicker and much thicker....this keeps you coming back every two weeks. I want to know how they clean the pedicure bowls out after each pedicure.....they let the fish do that too? I don't about you but I don't want someone else's funk on my feet! lol
{"commentId":2251076,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"swtgeorpeac"}
- 1 vote
#29 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:56 AM EDT{"commentId":2251524,"authorDomain":"ljshelhamer"}
Fish eat dead flesh all of the time. If they have a good life, it is just another fish feast. The problem is with the people who do it and provide it!
{"commentId":2251524,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"ljshelhamer"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":2274313,"authorDomain":"swtgeorpeac"}
yes but do they eat dead human flesh? Therein lies a problem
{"commentId":2274313,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"swtgeorpeac"}
{"commentId":2276729,"authorDomain":"ljshelhamer"}
Of course fish eat dead tissue and dead human flesh. Some fish even eat the living tissue, causing the person to die a horrible death, and then they eat the dead tissue.
I can see it now. She puts her feet in. She is sucked under the water, all that remains is her purse on the chair.
{"commentId":2276729,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"ljshelhamer"}
{"commentId":2251192,"authorDomain":"fittmom"}
What I think is funny is that comment about someone with really gnarly feet getting all the fish to come swarming over....THAT vision had me laughing!
Also...WHY is is that obese and overweight people spend so much money to make their nails and toes look great, but don't care about themselves enough to eat right and exercise?! Makes you go hmmmmmm....
{"commentId":2251192,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"fittmom"}
- 1 vote
#30 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:20 AM EDT{"commentId":2251226,"authorDomain":"fittmom"}
Why is that so many obese and overweight women will take the time to get pedi's and mani's, and their hair done, but they won't take the time to eat right and exercise? Makes you go hmmmmmmmmm....
I find that to be very interesting. Also...I loved the comment at the end of the article about the fact that before there were individual tanks that someone with super gnarly feet would come in and all the fish would swarm over to them...THAT would be so hilarious!! Ewwww.....
{"commentId":2251226,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"fittmom"}
- 2 votes
#31 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:26 AM EDT{"commentId":2251234,"authorDomain":"joybaby1"}
swtgeorpeac-I would love to know what products to use to get rid of callouses without them returning. I can't afford to spend money on a pedicure (plus I'm overweight, so apparently I don't deserve one lol)
Care to share your knowledge?
{"commentId":2251234,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"joybaby1"}
- 3 votes
#32 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:27 AM EDT{"commentId":2251545,"authorDomain":"ljshelhamer"}
Soak your feet in warm water. People did not have problems with extra callouses before there were showers. You develop the callouses because of your style of living. They are a natural part of everyone's life. I get them on my middle finger from writing and flipping the bird at people.
{"commentId":2251545,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"ljshelhamer"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":2251273,"authorDomain":"joybaby1"}
swtgeorpeac-what products get rid of the callouses without having them return? I can't afford to spend money on a pedicure (plus, I'm overweight, so apparently I don't deserve one lol)
Care to share your knowledge?
thank you
{"commentId":2251273,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"joybaby1"}
- 1 vote
#33 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:33 AM EDT{"commentId":2274340,"authorDomain":"swtgeorpeac"}
There's one called callus off, also if you get a foot file (feels like sandpaper) and file your feet after a shower or after a soak...another thing that will keep your feet feeling soft and moisturized is to put vasoline on your feet and put a pair of socks on. Flip flops are notorious for building up callus. And believe it or not....the pedegg works as well...a little different from a razor because it takes it of little by little and not in slices. When you soak your feet put some moisturizing oil in the water that will do too. Those are just a few suggestions. Main thing is have a routine for one or twice or more a week and stick to it. It takes a long time for your feet to get bad (not saying that yours are-just talking in general) so it will take a while to get them back to where they need to be! But it can be done!!
{"commentId":2274340,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"swtgeorpeac"}
{"commentId":2251342,"authorDomain":"JoelieTheGoalie"}
Hmmmmmmmmmmm. Is this the fish's version of Filet of Sole? I wonder where the fish sticks come from at the restaurant next door? C'mon people lighten up.
{"commentId":2251342,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"JoelieTheGoalie"}
- 3 votes
#34 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:45 AM EDT{"commentId":2252639,"authorDomain":"goodwitch"}
How about the toe-lapia?
Do the fish have to attend a Beauty "school" before they can work at the spa?
{"commentId":2252639,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"goodwitch"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2253399,"authorDomain":"JoelieTheGoalie"}
I feel like this is a Sponge Bob episode. Glad someone else likes to have fun. Let's put some Pirranha in the tanks.
{"commentId":2253399,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"JoelieTheGoalie"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":2256996,"authorDomain":"barry-rutherford"}
Its about time we stopped carping on about this !
{"commentId":2256996,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"barry-rutherford"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2251399,"authorDomain":"sexytoyka1"}
To: Joybaby, this product works wonders
To everyone else, this forum has me smiling from ear to ear and yes sometimes we need a little silliness in our lives.
{"commentId":2251399,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"sexytoyka1"}
- 1 vote
#35 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:58 AM EDT{"commentId":2251408,"authorDomain":"sexytoyka1"}
Oppppps, the link did not work. The name of the product is KVN Callus Away Remover. I bought it on Ebay after having it used on my feet at the salon and being charged $10 for just a little dab of it.
{"commentId":2251408,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"sexytoyka1"}
- 1 vote
#36 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:01 AM EDT{"commentId":2251485,"authorDomain":"bfbell"}
One thing can be said about the 'carp pedicure' it sure is getting a lot of free advertising coming from the Internet and the news media. They Yvonne salon may be successful. A lot of people like something different and this is different.
{"commentId":2251485,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"bfbell"}
- 1 vote
#37 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:15 AM EDT{"commentId":2251672,"authorDomain":"cowensstewartlaw"}
The fish thing . . . creepy. The things people in this world think up to do. Unbelievable.
{"commentId":2251672,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"cowensstewartlaw"}
- 1 vote
#38 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:43 AM EDT{"commentId":2251716,"authorDomain":"Venus10"}
REAL AMERICAN ezeques... Wouldn't ya know it, SOMEONE has to want it a FAKED up SEX story. Why can't it just be REAL, for once! GET A LIFE, ezeques... THESE WOMEN PICTURED ARE REAL WOMEN, which is how life REALLY is, DON'T knock it ! All BABES don't HAVE to look like the FAKES the media FEEDS all of America DAILY... That WE ARE SICK OF! Live & let live, FOR REAL! Naturally! NO DECEPTION... for once! A breath of FRESH air! Get REAL ezeques...
{"commentId":2251716,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"Venus10"}
- 1 vote
#39 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:50 AM EDT{"commentId":2251945,"authorDomain":"ViralMonkey"}
Your use of CAPS is REALLLLY annoying!
And why are you responding to ezeques' post way down here?
{"commentId":2251945,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"ViralMonkey"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2252158,"authorDomain":"patriciaad"}
It's like someone is turning the volume knob Up and Down repeatedly. If you emphasize EVERY other word, your meaning will get lost...
{"commentId":2252158,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"patriciaad"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2252521,"authorDomain":"ljshelhamer"}
Hey, with a name like "VENUS" I would fully expect acceptance of women of all shapes and sizes.
{"commentId":2252521,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"ljshelhamer"}
{"commentId":2251739,"authorDomain":"tla818"}
Yup, that's what these fish were born to do, eat the calluses of ignorant people. What a life! These fish are basically cooked to get them to move around. How would you like being forced to sit in a 90+ degree bath just so people don't have to scrub the calluses off. Also, calluses are good for you they are there because that's the part of your foot that you most frequently use.
{"commentId":2251739,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"tla818"}
#40 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:54 AM EDT{"commentId":2251802,"authorDomain":"familyrecords"}
I hope the IRS is onto this one.
Without other services, I am guessing this "salon" can take in about $55,000.00 per month, just letting poor little fish, munch on rotten feet.
{"commentId":2251802,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"familyrecords"}
- 1 vote
#41 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:02 AM EDT{"commentId":2251852,"authorDomain":"ljshelhamer"}
Is the salon paying matching withholding to the little guys?
{"commentId":2251852,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"ljshelhamer"}
{"commentId":2251806,"authorDomain":"ktmartin"}
I don't know if these carp get any larger, but if they have to be released into the environment someday, I would recommend checking twice before taking a bite out of that fish fillet sandwich. Otherwise you'll never be one hundred percent sure whether that crunchy texture is a small fish bone or a lady's toenail.
{"commentId":2251806,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"ktmartin"}
#42 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:02 AM EDT{"commentId":2251838,"authorDomain":"Venus10"}
#47 by *Venus*
{"commentId":2251838,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"Venus10"}
#43 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:07 AM EDT{"commentId":2252047,"authorDomain":"orangevague"}
Wow, who would have thought a column about what some fish do naturally (try googling surgeonfish) that live by cleaning parasites off other fish, and aquatic creatures could bring out the divisive blogger in folks.
Anyway, personally, i would love to try this, as i know it has been popular in areas overseas for years. Plus, if a fish can do what a doctor can't, and i don't have to worry about an insurance claim, nor having insurance raised (like we don't spend enough already?) AND it's something natural, and not from some humongous drug company, then heck yeah, count me in!
Okay, now for the typical senseless online blog comment that i am certain someone somewhere will take way too seriously and get bent out of shape over....
Hmm, i wonder if i can go to the pet store and stick my feet in the guppy tank for a couple of bucks?
Okay? You hyper sensitive and over serious people happy now that i've made an inane comment for you to rip on? good!
{"commentId":2252047,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"orangevague"}
#44 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:34 AM EDT{"commentId":2252537,"authorDomain":"ljshelhamer"}
just me-388045:
"You hyper sensitive and over serious people happy now that i've made an inane comment for you to rip on? good!"
not really.
{"commentId":2252537,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"ljshelhamer"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2252834,"authorDomain":"patriciaad"}
I don't really see anything to "carp" on.
{"commentId":2252834,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"patriciaad"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2252958,"authorDomain":"ViralMonkey"}
Okay, now for the typical senseless online blog comment that i am certain someone somewhere will take way too seriously and get bent out of shape over....
Hmm, i wonder if i can go to the pet store and stick my feet in the guppy tank for a couple of bucks? Okay? You hyper sensitive and over serious people happy now that i've made an inane comment for you to rip on? good!
Don't flatter yourself. You comment wasn't even funny. You need to be sharper than that around here.
{"commentId":2252958,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"ViralMonkey"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2252293,"authorDomain":"goodwitch"}
For the cost of one pedicure you could buy your own personal supply of nibblers and not have to worry about passing foot fungus among us.
{"commentId":2252293,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"goodwitch"}
#45 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:07 AM EDT{"commentId":2252314,"authorDomain":"smgsprings"}
Aren't carp carnivorous?? Who's to say that they may want a little "nip" out of the old big toe? After all, they are eating the dead skin off of your feet, what's to keep them from sampling the other white meat?
{"commentId":2252314,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"smgsprings"}
- 1 vote
#46 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:10 AM EDT{"commentId":2252577,"authorDomain":"goodwitch"}
Sorry, I'm new here...Hi everyone...
The article states that the fish can't bite into skin, just nibble at the dead stuff. ugh.
{"commentId":2252577,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"goodwitch"}
{"commentId":2252497,"authorDomain":"mandi7882"}
I get pedicures every two weeks from a salon that takes extra measures to make sure the proceedure is sanitary and I am not "follwoing behid" other customers who's health and/or hygene are in question. This concerns me on so many hygene levels as well as for the poor fish. Fish are animals too and this does not seem good for them either. I'd have to take a pass on this, and think about the ramifications of how sanitary this is from a public salon on the scale of, lets say, placing your feet in dirty water, and having yourself treated with unterilized feet scalers and clippers. Besides the fact, this cannot be good for the poor fish as a diet.
{"commentId":2252497,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"mandi7882"}
- 1 vote
#47 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:31 AM EDT{"commentId":2252506,"authorDomain":"NtxsCherokee"}
Hmmm....maybe we could use them for a weight loss spa. Swim around in a pool full of the little buggers & let them nibble off the blubber.
{"commentId":2252506,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"NtxsCherokee"}
- 1 vote
#48 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:32 AM EDT{"commentId":2252545,"authorDomain":"ljshelhamer"}
We use intestinal parasites for that.
{"commentId":2252545,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"ljshelhamer"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":2252563,"authorDomain":"goodwitch"}
They don't have teeth.
{"commentId":2252563,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"goodwitch"}
- 1 vote
#49 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:39 AM EDT{"commentId":2252566,"authorDomain":"NtxsCherokee"}
The "blades" they use to remove calluses is called a credo knife. In many states it's illegal because it's considered a surgical procedure and the person using them can be busted for practicing medicine without a license. No way would I want someone cutting on my feet.
{"commentId":2252566,"threadId":"316715","contentId":"1682855","authorDomain":"NtxsCherokee"}
- 1 vote
#50 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:39 AM EDT{"canLink":false,"threadId":"316715","isPrivate":false}
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