Two freshwater species of fish – Cyprinion macrostomum and Garra rufa – from the family Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps) are being utilized as an alternative spa treatment for skin care. At first blush, using fish to pick at your skin seems ridiculous or even over indulgent. However, by feeding on dead and diseased areas of skin, the little fish encourage and provide relief from various skin ailments.
The phenomenon of making the most of other species as skin care is common in nature. For example, cleaner fish remove dead skin and parasites from other fish, and cleaner shrimp also perform this service for some species of fish. Cleaning symbiosis occurs, because both species benefit. The behavior is more common in saltwater environments and is observed in other species of animals too.
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On the Net: Yvonne Hair, Nails & Tanning Salon – Alexandria Virginia Va
Although the process of having a fish “clean” your dead skin away from your body can be quite fun and novel the hygiene practices that most proprietors adhere too simply aren’t enough to meet normal national standards.
Because the fish have not been studied closely no standards can be applied and most operators are free to continue this worrisome treatment without anybody knowing better.
The fact is that these fish (especially the fully grown ones) can bite into the skin of clients. Imagine if a fish bit a person with hepatitis and bit another customer. It is almost certain that the other customer will be exposed to unacceptable levels of risk.
Although the media has not gotten wind of this malpractices, mark my words that it will happen soon.
Your concern about fish transmitting diseases is understandable but, these diseases could be spread using basic manicure and pedicure procedures too! Razors, stones and other tools that “careless” nail technicians use could also transmit diseases if they do not follow proper procedures.
Doctor fish treatment is very safe, especially if the fish technician is changing the water per every customer. Mr. John Ho has treated thousands of clients in Virginia for over 2 years and has yet to have someone transmit a disease!
For those of you that feel that doctor fish is bad… Please go to the state of Ohio’s government website under barber and cosmotology. You will see a Doctor approved the fish because it was no threat of it transmitting diseases to humans.
OHIO is in the forefront for CHANGE!!!