Fish pedicure for €9

Ruth_kirwan

I love these things. Great results and a great laugh in the process, the last time I got one of these I was a giggling mess!

http://livingsocial.com/deals/36455-30-minute-fish-pedicure

Here fishy fishy!

Hogzy

Why would anyone get their fish a pedicure?

They dont even have toe nails.

Gulliver

But fish don't have feet?????

buzz55

I looked at this deal but is it not a bit creepy, putting your feet in to a load of fish that then nibble at you?

Gut insinct is just 'eeeuuuuwwww', so dont think I'll go for it!

michelledoh

Yeuck this sounds horrible! Saw a new place in Stephens Green SC doing it aswell!

SteM

The missus got it done on holiday last summer and she loved it.

mawk

They have fingers, so they must be hiding toes somewhere I guess

gnolan

Might want to have a read of this article first:

Health experts are investigating the safety of fish pedicures after concerns that this latest pampering craze could spread infections.

The treatment involves dunking the feet in tanks filled with Garra rufa fish that can nibble away dead skin.

The Health Protection Agency is concerned this could spread diseases from person to person through open wounds.

It was first contacted by worried environmental health officers.

Feet feeders
A Health Protection Agency spokesperson said: "Following a number of enquiries to the HPA from local environmental health officers over the past six months, the agency is currently investigating if there are any potential risks of infection associated with the commercial use of fish spa pedicures in the UK.

"Alongside colleagues in environmental health, Health Protection Scotland and the Health and Safety Laboratory, the HPA will examine the most up to date evidence of any possible risks associated with Garra rufa fish pedicures and will publish guidelines that will be available UK-wide.

"The HPA and Health Protection Scotland is currently unaware of any cases of infection associated with the use of the fish spas pedicures in the UK."

Tiny Garra Rufa fish, or "doctor fish" as they are affectionately called, are a type of toothless carp that nibble on the dead skin.

Their use in spas across the UK has been gaining in popularity.

In the US, however, some states have banned their use over health and safety concerns of having the same fish clean the skin of multiple customers.

Ruth_kirwan

gnolan wrote: »

Might want to have a read of this article first:

I thought they only feed on the dead skin .......

Well hopefully it's all overreaction as I love getting my feet "kissed" by the fishies!

kendragon

anyone know if anywhere in Limerick does these fishped treatments?

demac

http://www.skintherapyinternational.com/

These are based in Limerick.

Lots of Psoraisis suffers have have benefited from this type of treatment. Haven't used it myself so can't comment.

h3000

kendragon wrote: »

anyone know if anywhere in Limerick does these fishped treatments?

I think I passed a place on Ellen street that do it.

ShooterSF

Ruth_kirwan wrote: »

I thought they only feed on the dead skin .......

Well hopefully it's all overreaction as I love getting my feet "kissed" by the fishies!

You mean hopefully they don't find any evidence for the potential risks. Asking people not to do something until it is cleared safe is not an "overreaction". They haven't said it's dangerous, just that we don't know.

Sorry to be pedantic but I just don't want people coming out if after the research it turns out safe and calling their actions an overreaction.

Also I'm not going to say you shouldn't go just that you should only go after making an informed decision. People should be free to do what they want even if others think it's nuts

Atlod

Altogether it makes a little scary reading, may be an over-reaction but God knows who's feet are in the tank before, especially if people think it kills all dead skin.. Some other reading goes more into detail, basically any contagious disease, can be passed on. (Chicken Pox, hepatitis B etc.)



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1361282/Infection-warning-fish-pedicure-craze-sweeping-Britain.html

It has already been banned in 14 states in the U.S.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article7086874.ece

The therapy’s American opponents argue that the use of doctor fish breaches rigorous health regulations that licensed cosmetologists must otherwise meet. The rules compel salons to throw away or sanitise tools after each use, but epidermis-eating fish are too expensive to discard and so are used repeatedly.

http://www.healthindex.co.uk/tag/fish-pedicures-banned/

If you have been planning to enjoy a fish pedicure at an upscale salon, you may have missed the opportunity, as this particular beauty treatment may not be available in the U.K. any longer. The Health Protection Agency is currently investigating the potential risk of infection due to non-sterile instruments.

doniem

myself and the ball and chain got this done on holidays in edinburgh and our feet havent fallen off yet, but our feet did feel good after. expensive though it was £10 each for 15 minutes.

Hogzy

doniem wrote: »

myself and the ball and chain got this done on holidays in edinburgh and our feet havent fallen off yet, but our feet did feel good after. expensive though it was £10 each for 15 minutes.

Ball and Chain is right. How did she suck you into that one?

Inbox

I read that the fish can pass infections from one person to the next and that new fish must be used each time.

oldyouth

I saw this in Lanzarote last month. Out for a walk after a few scoops and then came across a shop where the fish were busy chawin' away on the feet of a lady who was on our flight who, while totally pished, ...................no, I'm not going to even finish what I saw her feet go through on the journey

adamski8

i think this is pretty simple with regards safety, dont have one done with an open wound! not that hard is it!

doodio

It's not like tools which are sanitized after each use.
There's no screening process for those patients who have a transmissible disease.
Regulation isn't always a bad thing...

http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=3469

ShooterSF

adamski8 wrote: »

i think this is pretty simple with regards safety, dont have one done with an open wound! not that hard is it!

How big of a cut do you think an infection needs to enter the body? It's not like you need half your foot hanging off :pac:

adamski8

ShooterSF wrote: »

How big of a cut do you think an infection needs to enter the body? It's not like you need half your foot hanging off :pac:

errmmm well any cut would obviously not be good, size doesnt come it to it really, although deeper/bigger the wound more likely the infection alright. they should check everyones feet for wounds/large cracks before allowing people in. just like you shouldn't walk around on the ground barefoot if you had a wound.
Treat it exactly as you would other situations e.g. dont use a jacuzzi when you have a wound

HEADLINE: FLOORS BANNED AS EATING OFF THEM MAY CAUSE ILLNESS

deisemum

Anyone remember Mairead Farrell having the fish pedicure on Todayfm? The shrieking out of her and Ray's comments were entertaining

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SolBU3N6DdQ&feature=player_detailpage

Alter-Ego

Got it done a while back. It feels weird, but its fun and an interesting experience.

jacool

Quote: It has already been banned in 14 states in the U.S.

They allow people carry guns, but clamp down on the little fishies!

Nonmonotonic

Just read this thread, its hilarious!

One comment on:

doodio wrote: »

It's not like tools which are sanitized after each use.
There's no screening process for those patients who have a transmissible disease.
Regulation isn't always a bad thing...

http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=3469

Apparently circumcision prevents AIDS

http://sotho.blogsome.com/2006/06/02/no-foreskin-no-aids

3 year study proves it. Maybe a combined study is needed.;)

Aishae

i was at this place in stephens green yesterday - blimey but its refreshing on the feet!

they get you to fill in a form before you start - you cant have any recent or open wounds which includes a very recent foot tattoo. also no applications of fake tan in the last 3 days (im guessing that has more to do with the tan being toxic to the fish). no excema and other skin conditions like that. they also ask about other conditions or treatment youve had recently. playin it safe,.
then you thoroughly wash your feet in a little shower before going to the fish .

it feels like a really busy jacuzzi - as if you have your feet right over a jacuzzi jet. feels a bit mad but not in a bad way. ill do it again for sure.
though i told my father he might give it a go. mam said he'd need great whites on his feet.