Garra Rufa Fish Pedicures

I'm delighted that Beauty Box is the first salon in Gloucestershire to offer the amazing Garra Rufa Fish Pedicure (also known as the piranha pedicure)!

The garra rufa fish is a cute little fish on a mission - to nibble the dead skin from your feet, leaving skin softer and improving skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. This is due to the enzyme they secrete in their saliva, diathanol, which is said to have skin-healing properties. The 50 minute treatment is followed by a relaxing foot massage to soften and relieve tension throughout the entire body - pure bliss! Must be tried!

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The risk of infection associated with Garra rufa fish pedicures is likely to be very low, Health Protection Agency (HPA) scientists said (18th October 2011).

Following a number of enquiries to the HPA from local environmental health practitioners, a multi-agency working group was established to produce guidance for this spa treatment. The working group was led by the HPA and included experts from the HPA, Health Protection Scotland, the Health & Safety Laboratory and local authorities. The guidance has been endorsed by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland.

Therefore, in a fish spa setting there is the potential for transmission of a range of infections, either from fish to person (during the nibbling process), water to person (from the bacteria that can multiply in water), or person to person (via water, surrounding surfaces and fish). However, the overall risk of infection is likely to be very low, if appropriate standards of hygiene are adhered to.

The fish spa working group concluded that those with weakened immune systems or underlying medical conditions, including diabetes and psoriasis, are likely to be at increased risk of infection and so fish pedicures are not recommended for such individuals. The working group advised that operators of fish spas should not promote treatment to these groups.

Dr Hilary Kirkbride, consultant epidemiologist at the HPA, said: “Provided that good standards of hygiene are followed by salons, members of the public are unlikely to get an infection from a fish spa pedicure, however the risk will be higher for certain people.

“This is why we feel it’s important for salons to ensure the client has no underlying health conditions that could put them at risk, and that a thorough foot examination is performed, to make sure there are no cuts, grazes or existing skin conditions that could spread infection. “Anyone considering a fish pedicure can help reduce the risk of infection – both to themselves and others – by taking simple precautions. Allowing any cuts or infections you may have on your feet or legs to heal before having the treatment, and waiting at least 24 hours after having a leg wax or shaving, will minimise your chances of catching anything. If you do experience any ill effects after the treatment, you should visit your GP.” Dr Paul Cosford, Director of Health Protection Services at the HPA, added: “As with any beauty salon, it’s really important that strict standards of cleanliness are followed, to ensure that the risk of infection is kept to a minimum. If a member of the public is concerned about the level of cleanliness of a salon they visit, they should report this to their local Environmental Health department.”

Take a look at our huge range of treatments for hands and feet, pamper days and luxurious beauty treatments to relax your mind and leave you feeling gorgeous again.