Fish Snacking on Feet? the Latest Spa Craze

PlusFish Snacking on Feet? the Latest Spa CrazeFish Snacking on Feet? the Latest Spa CrazeThe Associated PressA new spa service known as 'Dr. Fish' offers clients the opportunity to have tiny fish eat the dead skin off of their feet. The AP's Lila Ibrahim checked it out, and filed this report. (July 21)[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS LIKED EATING FISH..BUT THE ROLES HAVE REVERSED AND THE FISH ARE EATING US...LITERALLY.SOT: COLLEEN MULLER, 1st Time Dr. Fish Client09:42:39 "We thought it might be kinda creepy, its actually really nice, it feels really good" IT'S A SPA SERVICE KNOWN AS A 'DOCTOR FISH PEDICURE' WHERE FISH EAT DEAD SKIN FROM YOUR FEET SOT: JOHN HO, Owner Yvonne's Hair and Nails:09:15:06: " We wanted something new, something different, to the beauty salon industry" 09:15:10JOHN HO, OWNER OF YVONNE'S HAIR AND NAILS IN ALEXANDRIA VIRGINIA SAYS A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SWIMMING TOWARDS HIS SALON FOR THE 'FISHY' EXPERIENCE09:07:48 "Here we use it to remove dry skin and callous around your feet, in other countries they use it for removing psoriasis and eczema, for medical purpose" 09:07:58THE FRESHWATER FISH ARE FLOWN IN FROM TURKEY, SURVIVE IN WARM WATER, AND FEED OFF OF DEAD HUMAN SKIN, AND WHILE ITS POPULAR AT SPAS IN TURKEY AND JAPAN, YVONNE'S CLAIMS IT'S THE ONLY FISH SPA IN THE UNITED STATES.SOUND FISHY? WELL CUSTOMERS SAY THE RESULTS ARE WORTH ITSOT: Alice Piontek, Dr. Fish Client09:20:33 "To me it was amazing results, I don't pay a whole lot of attention to my feet and my husband even commented when I got home about how soft my feet were my feet, it was a huge difference.SOT: Elsie Johnson, Dr. Fish Client09:23:26 "When I first stepped in I was getting ready to get back out, I went like this and I had to sit for a few minutes and calm my nerves and once I calmed, its wonderful, I love it."AND GUYS, IT'S JUST NOT FOR THE LADIES...SOT: Chris Ide, Dr. Fish Client09:16:27" This is about my third time 09:16:29// 09:16:34 when I heard they had this I had to give it a try, I don't get pedicures on a regular basis"09:16:39 I DECIDED IT WAS MY TURN TO TRY...FIRST THEY WASHED MY FEET, AND GAVE A FEW TIPS BEFORE DIVING IN: nats"one foot at a time...you gotta jump""ready rick, here we go...aggghh!""it really does tickle ..it's a little gross"BUT AFTER A FEW MINUTES I COULD RELAX AND ENJOY THE SENSATION OF THE FISHSTAND UP(in this case sit down!):Normally I am very ticklish but this actually feels pretty good, the fish are supposed to stay away from the healthy skin and nibble away at the dead affected areas, clearly I'm giving them a good meal based on the number of fish surrounding my feet.AFTER ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES I EMERGED FROM MY TANK WITH SOFTER SMOOTEHR FEET!Nats of me getting outSO IT SOUNDS STRANGE, AND FEELS GOOD, BUT IS IT REALLY SAFE TO HAVE FISH NIBBLING AT YOUR FEET? Dr. Paula Bourelly, Dermatologist09:01:30 "There doesn't seem to be any harm associated with that, I'd be less concerned about the fish and more concerned about the water." 09:01:37THE WATER IN THE INDIVIDAL TANKS AT YVONNE' S IS CHANGED WITH EACH USE, AND A LARGER POOL IN THE BACK IS USED STRICTLY FOR STORAGE OF FISH.WHILE THE TREATMENT MAY MAKE YOU SQUEEMISH, THE PRICE SHOULDN'T. COST TO FEED THE FISH YOUR FEET STARTS AT THIRTY FIVE DOLLARS.LILA MERIDETH, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. ___ ___, The Associated Press.