Q & A: Where can I get a fish pedicure in Perth?!
December 15, 2009 | Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA 
♥
Nom. Fish pedicure. Two words that really look a little strange together don’t you think? The beauty world is abuzz with these little feet eating fishies.
I recently received an e-mail from a reader that I’m going to share with you:
“Hi, I am interested to know if there is a place in Perth where I can get a fish pedicure. I had one of these in Thailand and found it to be the best pedicure I have ever had. I would really appreciate your response to this.
Many thanks”
So first of all lets get some fast facts about what a fish pedicure actually involves!
♥ Feet are placed into a small pool or tub of warm water, where Garra Rufa (commonly known as Doctor Fish) are present.
♥ Dr Fish are toothless, love eating dead skin flakes & are used because they leave the living skin untouched!
♥ Your feet are nibbled at for 15-45 minutes.
♥ It is reported to be VERY ticklish at first!
♥ When the pedicure is over, you are meant to be left with baby soft feet.
The treatment is extremely popular in many Asian countries, especially in high-tourist areas.
Now here is where I break your heart a little bit after building you up to be all keen on some critters munching on your tootsies…
There are some prevalent health, hygiene & cruelty concerns when it comes to fish pedicures.
♥ Investigations in the United States have led to the banning of fish pedicures in Florida, Texas & New Jersey.
♥ “Unlike standard pedicure procedures, which have strict sanitation and equipment sterilization standards mandated by state laws nationwide, it is impossible to sanitize or sterilize the hundreds of fish used in the fish pedicure treatment.” (source)
♥ “the study found that fish pedicures are unsanitary and may lead to the spread of fungal and bacterial infections through small cuts or lesions in customer’s feet”
♥ The fish are starved when pedicures aren’t being performed, in order for them to consume an amount of dead skin considered adequate for a ‘successful pedicure’.
♥ As they thrive in a warm water environment, there are questions as to whether salons keep the water heated during times when the salon is not operating.
So it appears unlikely that fish pedicures will be making their way to our shores (legally in any case) anytime soon, due to these concerns.
We’ll just have to stick to our regular deluxe salon pedicures & ped-eggs
If you’ve had a fish pedicure, leave a comment and let me know how you found it!
Be well,
xoxo
Categories: Alternative Therapy | 
Tags: Features | 
16 Comments »
Oh my god I’d never heard of this. Im repulsed and intrigued at the same time!
I can imagine how ticklish this would be.. I’d be worried that my squirming feet would squash the fish.. would love to try it at least once though
It’s pretty bizarre / interesting. It would be quite good to have your own personal supply of little fishies at home… feeding them every day on your dead skin flakes… haha!
Thanks for stopping by
x
So can we buy these fish in Australia or Perth?!
The concerns illustrated in this article don’t overly concern me!
Isaak I haven’t been able to find that information unfortunately!
The fish are native to Turkey and from what I’ve seen, you can buy them online… I don’t know about customs and how many of the critters would actually survive though, even if they did get through. Turkey to Perth is a pretty long journey!
My sister and I spent a week in Kuala Lumpur in 2008 shopping. Before we left home we researched fish pedicures in Malaysia and were determined to try this on our trip. What a wonderful experience – we went 5 times during our shopping week and would recommend the experience to everyone. Our feet were very tired after many hours of trekking through the many shopping centres in KL so we looked forward to a fish pedicure at the end of the day to rejuvinate our tired feet.
Our first time was very funny as we screamed for the first 5 minutes while getting used to hundreds of little fish nibbling at our feet and legs. At least we provided the Malaysians with a good laugh! We had our feet submerged for half an hour and then finished the experience off with a lovely foot massage. Our feet felt wonderful and smooth and it truly felt that the circulation in our ankles and feet had improved. We looked forward to this experience at the end of each day and were very disappointed when this experience came to an end. I would not hesitate to have a fish pedicure again and would recommend you try it at least once if you can.
That’s great Louise!
Thanks so much for sharing your experience, it’s interesting to read that you said you thought the circulation had been improved as well.
A foot massage after a long day of shopping sounds divine as well… I might have to start doing that!
I have just come back from bali where we had the doctor fish treatment.
It was awesome. The guy running it says he does it every 3 or so days and his feet were as soft as a baby’s.
It does tickle and takes a few minutes to get used to, but sio well worth it – i enjoyed walking for the rest of the day just to feel my feet move in my shoes! Also, the mozzie bites I had stopped itching after the fish had nibbled on them.
If they ever come to perth, I want to be first in li ne!
Just came back from Bali where I experienced the fish pedicure. I am one who is renowned for extremely ticklish feet, and have even been known to kick people when they have touched my feet, so I was a bit dubious about the fish eating my feet! However, after getting over the first minute or so, I fell in love with this procedure! It feels like a soft vibration on your feet and legs, and when you are finished, you think you are walking on air. I would recommend this to anyone who gets the chance to do it!
Just returned from Malaysia, where we experienced the fish foot pedicure.
It was amazing. Was the best pedicure I have had and so gentle. My feet 6 weeks later are still looking good.
My son ( 22) also had one and loved it , my daughter (28) couldn’t come at the idea at all.Seems that some people just wont like it at all, but for me it was relaxing, definitely improved my feet circulation and better than taking a sharp razor to them.
You open up in Melbourne and i will be there every week.
It is definitely a winner.
I recently had fish pedicure in Malaysia and Thailand. I can reiterate that it was wonderful, and I felt there was less chance of me picking up a disease or fungus from the fish than from the communal tools used when I get pedicuren here in Australia. Also, some chronic patches of tinea cleared up after the fish spa and those tough little bits you can’t reach yourself were gone. I would love to see this introduced in Australia, but fear concerns over introducing a new species rather than cruelty to the fish would prevent it.
Wow! There are so many people getting on the wagon expressing their love for fishy pedicures!
Apparently there is a guy who lives in Essendon Victoria who is in a batle with the goverment / Quarrantine in getting these fish imported into the country, For the last 16 months i reckon would have taken a toll, but he is battleing, if he gets through, he will be opening up shop in Melbourne and then franchise it out to other states apparently if the goverment gives him a breeders licence
Cheers Harry
Harry,
Any idea who the guy is that you mentioned and how he can be contacted ?
my fiance & I recently went 2 bali, and like many others- were repulsed yet intrigued at th same time.
But we loved it! Honestly the best pedicure I’ve ever had. I have bad circulation -but My feet were tingling 4 th next 3 days as I was actually getting blood circulation in my feet 4 once!
I really want some of these in melbourne. I’d b there every wk -and I hardly ever treat myself 2 any type of beauty therapy!
I agree that I’d rather have fish nibbling my feet then some awful tool digging at them.
So there u go… Completely converted!
I had the Garra Ruffa treatment in Singapore
It cured a rash I had on my legs for a few months
Highly recomended