A new type of pedicure is taking the beauty market by storm - and it’s being performed by fish. A Northern Virginia Spa is offering a pedicure using fish that eat off dead skin from your feet. Customers immerse their feed in a tub of water with the “Doctor Fish” or garra rufa. The fish immediately start eating dead skin off the toes and feet. Customers say the procedure is ‘ticklish” and it works! Even some squeamish customers are reporting satisfaction at how smooth their feet feel after getting this treatment. The treatments originated in Turkey for patients with Psoriasis with some patients reporting complete cure. The fish are a protected species in Turkey due to fear of over harvesting.

John Ho who runs the North Virginia spa called “Yvonne Hair and Nails Salon” with his wife Yvonne brought this to the US and is probably the only salon to offer this treatment. He claims that over 5000 people have experienced the fish pedicure at a cost of about $35 for a 15 minute treatment. Many experts expressed concerned about the hygiene of this treatment which Ho dismisses by ensuring his customers that fresh water is used for every customer and that the fish are changed between treatments. He maintains about a 1000 fish in his aquarium and uses 100 for each customer.