Little Fishies Feast on Human Flesh!

Little Fishies Feast on Human Flesh!

I heard about this a while ago & I thought I'd share it with everyone, since many people don't know that fish spas exist. That's right. Fish spa!

[Click images to enlarge]

A girl soaks in the hot spring enjoying the "fish spa" in Huizhou, south China's Guangdong Province.
Someone tell me how she's so relaxed! (Picture from the Sampuoton Spa in Malaysia)

Here are a few facts based on information from various sources:

• The first fish spa resort was opened in Japan in 2006 and was used to clean bathers at the spa.
• The special fishies nibble away only on your dead skin cells. Your healthy skin is left alone to grow, since it's harder to nibble on. Human skin is an attractive and easy food source for these fish when the water softens up the skin.
• The fishies do not have teeth, which means you feel no pain. The only thing felt is a tingly sensation, which makes some people squeal with laughter.
• They live in high temperatures, so you don't have to worry about being in cold water to receive this treatment.
• The Garra Rufa fishes are found in Northern and Central Middle East (mainly in Turkey, Syria, Iran, and Iraq). This breed is legally protected from commercial exploitation in Turkey due to concerns of overharvesting for export. The fishes are also artificially bred in outdoor pools specifically for the spas.
• Doctor fish and nibble fish are a few nicknames that these fishes have been given.
• While the treatment of nibbling, the fish exude an enzyme called dithranol (anthralin) which prevents fast developments of cells from the skin, therefore preventing skin problems. This is why the fishes are used to treat skin diseases, such as eczema and psoriasis.
• Fish spas have been a growing trend in countries like Japan, China, Turkey and across Europe.

A video of the Dr. Fish Pedicure place in Alexandria, Virginia, USA. It's a little pedi place, not a big spa resort. I like the close up of the fish shown in the video. There are a lot of other videos on YouTube. Check 'em out!

I love how the man feels the need to say "but I don't, I don't get pedicures on a regular basis." Haha!

I think it's a bit bizarre. In the U.S. some states have banned these fish spas, but Virginia has two of them. I go to visit family friends in VA once every one or two years, so I might just have to give it a try even though I don't like fish, let alone step into a whole pool or tank filled with them.. eek!