What are the possible benefits of fish pedicures?
Fish pedicures work like traditional pedicures. They help remove calluses and exfoliate your skin. After this procedure, your skin will get softer and it starts to look fresher. According to research, Garra rufa can also be used to treat skin conditions, like psoriasis.
A study done in Turkey showed that people diagnosed with psoriasis [1] experienced relief in symptoms after getting soaked in the Kangal Fish twice everyday for 21 days. The study also showed that the treatment offered longer periods of remission than other treatment methods, such as topical steroids. Experts believe that the effect is caused by the Garra Rufa fish and some other factors, which include ultraviolet light from the sun and exposure to minerals in the spring water.
A fishing pedicure procedure should be done by a professional pedicurist in a licensed salon. With a foot scrub or pumice stone, you can also do the procedure yourself at home. It would help to know that the complications linked with fish pedicures are more than the benefits. According to studies, people diagnosed with psoriasis may feel better after undergoing a fish pedicure.
Fish pedicures may pose some health and environmental threats. Here are some important things to note about the procedure:
- Blood-borne diseases are common in people who undergo a fish pedicure. When a customer has an injury and bleeds into the basin, every other customer becomes vulnerable and susceptible to any blood-borne disease.
- Onychomadesis, a condition that occurs when the toenails change colors and start to fall off, may occur after a fish pedicure. According to experts, the condition is often caused by excess pressure on the nails from the fish.
- Pedicurists usually experience difficulties when trying to sanitize the basins where the fish are placed. Since it is impossible to sanitize the fish, they have to remove them from the basins before sanitizing.
- The Garra rufa fish have similar characteristics as the Chinchin, a fish that can develop teeth and bite. These two species of fishes are often confused with each other. Bites from Chinchin can result in serious pain and infection.
- The Garra Fish may contain pathogenic bacteria, which can result in staph infections.
- Mycobacteriosis, a bacterial infection that causes rough patches on the skin, may also occur after a fish pedicure.