Here Fishy Fishy!
I’ve been hearing a lot about these fish pedicures recently, so when I was invited to try one out at the newly opened Appy Feet in Leeds, I jumped at the chance. Actually, that’s a lie, I totally crapped myself, said the rosary in Latin, then finally plucked up the courage to go.
Particularly popular in Turkey, this kind of treatment is known to have a healing effect on skin problems like psoriasis. But, if you’re just looking for a more interesting way to get some dead skin off your feet, let a tank full of Garra Rufa fish have a nibble at your tootsies!
I arrived at Appy Feet and was told the fish were a little jumpy as they’d just opened up. She wasn’t lying. Right after she said that, one of them jumped right out of the tank. I’m assuming it was on a suicide mission. I got myself ready and was told to just lower my feet right in. I hovered them above the tank for a minute, too scared to take the plunge and all the fish rushed to the surface like they were on death row and my feet were their last meal. I looked away, lowered my feet into the water and wailed like a banshee for a few seconds.
Little known Bangs fact: I am insanely ticklish. I can barely stand the bit in a regular pedicure where they go to work on your hard skin – I’m kicking like a mule. I almost took one poor pedicurist out with an accidental round kick to the face one time, but the less said about that, the better. Anyfish, imagine being ticklish, then add to that having dozens of little fishies sucking and nibbling on your feet. It was difficult to stay still. But after a couple of minutes, you get used to the sensation and it just seems like the fish are giving your feet little kisses.
Truthfully, your feet do feel insanely good afterwards (even if you do keep checking them at regular intervals throughout the day to make sure there isn’t still a fish stuck to them). Apparently the fish can stimulate the pressure points on your feet too (clever little buggers), which can help to regulate your nervous system, relax the body and release fatigue.
So, while the whole concept does seem a little freakish and weird, I give it the official Bangs Stamp of Approval. I recommend it and I’d definitely try it again.
Here’s some more information about Appy Feet - the treatment is £10 for 15 minutes or £20 for 35.
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Tags: feet, pedicures, strange things I never thought I'd do
