The Garra rufa or fish-doctor or fish-freshwater surgeon is a small fish originating in the Middle East, it's known for its exfoliating virtues.
It has a mouth in the form of a suction cup. It can reach 14 cm in its natural habitat and it can live up to 15 years (between 6 and 8 years in captivity).
It mainly feeds on aquatic plants and microorganisms but it is also an omnivore, it needs a supply of proteins, vegetables, minerals and vitamins.
The Kangal spa in Turkey, known as a healing place for over a hundred years, has been a psoriasis treatment center since 1988, which welcomes patients from all over the world.
The Garra rufa participate in this treatment by feeding on the parts of dead skin affected or covered with crust, thus allowing the healthy skin to regenerate. The professionals of well-being and aesthetics have begun to take an interest in it, and it is now the origin of the concept of fish pedicure : customers dip their feet or hands in a basin filled with Garra rufa for 15 to 30 min. Fish, which have no teeth, apply delicate suckers to feed on dead skin. The customer comes out with the soft skin.
In 2006, fish pedicure was developed in spas in Hakone, Japan and in Umag, Croatia. And then the concept has spread to many other countries in Europe and the United States.
Be careful if one day you have the opportunity to try know that in some spas, they use cheaper fish. They have teeth and that cause microscopic cuts!
Take the time to inquire before diving your feet or your hands in the water one never knows may be that some day will have the idea to put piranhas babies rather than Garra rufa ;-)
I can't do it here in L'Escala because I have injuries because of the mosquitoes but I have already done previously in a thalasso center and actually the feet stand out soft ;-)
