November 2010 - Tony Gavin gives his verdict on the new fish pedicure
Our Podiatrist Tony Gavin was recently contacted by the Tameside Advertiser to ask for his opinion on the new fish pedicure 'Happy Feet'. Here is the article that featured in the 04 November 2010 issue:
We all know that seaweed is good for your skin but can fish really be good for your feet?
That's the promise of one beauty salon where more than 50 finned friends are waiting to give you the perfect pedicure.
Michelle Devine - owner of Devine Hair and Beauty on Manchester Road, Denton - believes her salon is the first salon in Tameside to offer the treatment where people plunge their feet into a tank for fish to nibble away at dry skin.
The craze called 'Happy Feet' is thought to have originated in countries such as Turkey when people paddling in hot springs found their feet were a magnet for the Garra Rufa fish, known by many nicknames including doctor fish and massage fish.
Michelle, who had already signed up customers before the fishes' first day said: "It's an organic pedicure massage experience.
"You put your feet into the tank, there's a little seat on the back for you to sit on and the all the fishes come round and eat all the hard skin. There are a lot more benefits to this than a normal pedicure.
"It stimulates your acupuncture points.
"The Garra Rufa fish produce enzymes that slow down your skin cell production so it keeps your skin softer for longer.
"It does make you feel a bit squeamish at first but once you're in there it's quite therapeutic.
"It feels a bit tickly, a bit weird at first but when you get used to it it's really nice and people say the results are amazing."
Foot doctor Tony Gavin, a podiatrist at Davenport House Clinic in Stalybridge, said: "Removal of dead skin from the feet can have benefits for the health of the skin, much like the use of a pumice stone.
"It is great to see that people are considering their foot health more with the emergence and popularity of these treatments."
But he added: " People with serious skin conditions should consult a podiatrist before embarking upon this kind of treatment and it wouldn't be recommended for people who have open wounds or are diabetic."
Article courtsey of the Tameside Advertiser.
