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You’ve probably seen videos or ads for fish pedicures, especially while traveling. Kim Kardashian famously tried one in Greece, shrieking as small fish nibbled the dead skin off her feet. While it may seem familiar to Americans, it’s not something we see often in daily life—fish pedicures are actually banned in several states like Texas, New York, New Jersey, and California. It might appear harmless, but before you dip your feet into that tank, there are a few important things to consider.
What’s a fish pedicure exactly?
According to the CDC, tiny fish known as Garra rufa feast on dead skin during the procedure. These fish are native to the Middle East and have long been used in medical treatments for skin conditions such as psoriasis.
Pedicures are legally defined, and beauty and care treatments are carefully regulated across states. According to Law Insider, a pedicure is ‘the treatment or beautification of feet and toenails by the shaping and polishing of toenails, and the puncturing, removal, or exfoliation of skin or tissue from the feet.’ The fish only handle the exfoliation part, which is typically included with other safer, legal pedicure treatments.
Why are fish pedicures banned in so many places?
Here are some reasons why a state might prohibit fish pedicures:
It’s difficult to properly clean the tubs between customers when fish are involved.
The fish themselves can’t be properly disinfected or sanitized.
Due to the high cost of fish, salons may reuse the same fish with different clients, increasing the risk of infection spread.
The fish in use might not even be Garra rufa as claimed—they could be Chinchin, which have teeth and may cause injury.
Fish pedicures don’t meet the legal criteria for a pedicure.
Some states require fish in salons to be kept in aquariums.
The fish are often starved to make them eat skin, which can be considered animal cruelty.
What does a fish pedicure feel like?
You might still be wondering what a fish pedicure actually feels like, which is a valid question. However, Kim Kardashian’s memorable reactions should give you a pretty good idea. Having fish swim around and nibble at your feet feels exactly how you'd expect it to.
One blogger, La Jolla Mom, shared her experience, describing it as ‘ticklish, but not more than a regular pedicure.’ After 10 minutes of having over 50 fish circle her feet, she said they ‘did feel just a little cleaner.’ Keep in mind, a regular pedicure also leaves your feet ‘just a little cleaner.’
Another writer, detailed for Bustle, recounted how ‘the fish attacked,’ and she ‘completely freaked out,’ screaming and crying before pulling her feet out of the water. She submerged them again but only lasted 15 minutes of the 20-minute session.
It should be obvious, but if you're concerned about a fish pedicure being gross or stressful, it’s probably not worth it just for the thrill or to create social media content. With risks of infection, animal cruelty, and even bleeding, it seems like an easy experience to skip.
