Fantasia Salon / Spa and Wig Specialists

Okay, are you ready the the latest in spa pampering? Are you ready to dunk your feet in a tank water and let tiny, little carp nibble away. I must admit, from days of getting in my pond to “clean” things up, it did feel kind of good to have the fish nibbling.

Fish pedicures are creating a splash in the D.C. area where a northern Virginia Spa has been offering them for the past four months. The husband and wife owners of the spa said that over 5,000 people have taken the plunge so far.

This is a great treatment for everyone who likes to have nice feet says the owner.

We wanted to come up with something unique while finding a replacement for pedicures that use razors to scrape off dead skin. The razors have fallen out of favor with state regulators because of concerns about whether they are sanitary.

The owner was skeptical at first about the fish, which are called garra rufa but typically known as doctor fish. They were first used in Turkey and have become popular in some Asian countries.

Two initial concerns of the owner were- would the fish thrive in the warm water needed for a comfortable foot-bath and; would the customers like the idea?

I know people were a little intimidated at first said the owners but they decided to give it a shot. Customers were very quickly hooked. One, a 33 year old from Maryland, heard about it on a local radio show. She said it was the best pedicure she had ever had and quickly has spread the word to friends and co-workers. She reported that being an athlete all her life, she has always had calluses on her feet. This was the first time somebody got rid of my calluses completely she said.

Another first timer, a 32 year old from Washington, described the tingling sensation created by the toothless fish by saying that it kind of feels like your foot’s asleep.

The fish don’t do the job alone. After 15-30 minutes in the tank, customers get a standard pedicure, made easier by the soft skin the doctor fish leaves behind.

The owners said they believe their’s is the only salon in the country to offer this treatment which cost $35. for 15 minutes and $50. for 30 minutes. The spa has more than 1,000 fish with about 100 in each individual pedicure tank at any given time.

Lots to think about here. Fish in a pond is one thing. Hmmmm….I wonder who gets to clean out the fish tanks?