Fish Pedicure: Risks, Benefits, Safety, and Ethical Concerns – Healthline

A fish pedicure involves dipping the feet into a basin of water filled with fish. These fish, Garra rufa, sometimes called doctor fish, eat the dead skin off the feet revealing smooth, callous-free skin, and cleaner-looking cuticles.

Fish pedicures are popular in Turkey, where they originated, and other Middle Eastern countries. Garra rufa fish are native to the Middle East and Southeast Asian countries. They are allowed in certain places in the United States.

The procedure became popular because the fish are able to exfoliate and soften the feet in a non-painful way. The fish pedicure tickles but does not hurt. However, these pedicures pose both health and environmental risks, and are actually banned in many U.S. states and parts of Canada and Europe.

There are several reasons fish pedicures may be considered risky or unsafe. Here are the safety concerns of fish pedicures:

The purported benefits of fish pedicures include reduced callouses, smooth skin on the feet, and exfoliation of dry skin and rough patches. A pedicure done by a human from a trusted salon will do the same, however, and so will at-home use of a pumice stone or a foot scrub. The risks of fish pedicures outweigh the benefits.

One study found a 72 percent reduction of psoriasis in people undergoing ichthyotherapy, or using Garra rufa to treat conditions, though there are other treatments that dont carry risks.

At least 14 states have banned fish pedicures, including:

They are also banned in Mexico, parts of Europe, and parts of Canada.

There are also ethical concerns associated with fish pedicures.

Fish pedicures at a salon involve putting the feet in a basin of water filled with Garra rufa, a fish native to the Middle East. The purported benefits are smoother feet and potentially less psoriasis, but the safety and ethical concerns including potential for infection and lack of sanitation between customers outweigh the benefits.

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Fish Pedicure: Risks, Benefits, Safety, and Ethical Concerns - Healthline