“Fish are friends, not food,” the animated shark famously declared in 2003’s “Finding Nemo.” But are they also pedicurists?
Videos of people getting so-called “fish pedicures” while traveling outside the United States are going viral on TikTok. In the video, people stick their bare feet into a tank of fish swarming around their toes. The fish then devour the dead skin cells and calluses, leaving the feet smooth and silky.
The practice, which originated in Turkey, has become popular among international travelers, and while videos of shocked reactions are amusing, dermatologists advise travelers not to take part. These fish pedicures can be very dangerous if not done in a hygienic manner. It is also subject to legal scrutiny in the United States and is not allowed in several states, including California.
Plus, there’s a safer, easier way to care for your feet without using fish.
“I don’t understand why people would do that instead of just exfoliating,” says Dr. Anthony Rossi, a dermatologist and surgeon who hosts the podcast “Give Good Face: Clean Clinical Science.” “Just because you see something on vacation and it looks interesting doesn’t mean you should do it.”
Why viral “fish pedicures” are dangerous
It’s not a bad idea to remove dead skin cells from your feet. This will allow the fresh skin underneath to shine.
When people give fish pedicures, the fish basically gnaws away at this dead layer, exfoliating it like a scrub.
The problem is that it’s often difficult to determine if an aquarium is sanitary. We don’t know what kind of bacteria the fish carry. This can prove especially dangerous if you get a fish pedicure while you unknowingly have a cut or hole in your skin. The water these fish swim in may also be contaminated.
“You can get infected with mycobacteria, which is kind of a nasty infection,” Rossi says. “Vibrio is a nasty infection, and there have been outbreaks associated with these fish spas.”
The same fish is often used multiple times for pedicures on different people. This means that you can not only transmit germs and bacteria from your fish, but also from the feet of other people that your fish have eaten.
“These fish can harbor bacteria and cannot be disinfected,” says dermatologist Dr. Brooke Jeffey. “So if a person is exposed to some kind of infection or bacteria, it’s conceivable that the fish could spread something. The fish themselves could harbor certain bacteria that could be very pathogenic to humans as well.”
Not to mention the potential for ethical concerns. Some fish pedicure businesses have been accused of intentionally starving fish that were hungry enough to eat the dead skin on their feet.
Don’t get a “fish pedicure.” Run this instead.
The important thing to note, Jeffy says, is that the same benefits of a fish pedicure can be achieved with tried-and-true exfoliation techniques.
“Of course, it’s better to use a common chemical exfoliant,” she says. Physical exfoliators and good old-fashioned moisturizers also work, she adds.
