The Risks of Dr Fish Pedicures

Fish pedicures are a controversial topic in the beauty industry. Before experimenting with fish pedicures, you should research the potential health risks. Let’s take a look at some possible complications of fish pedicures and how to best prepare yourself for the treatment.

Traditionally, beauty salons or spas use disposable utensils in their daily lives. This whole issue of disease transmission was raised because fish are used several times in a row and many pedicure sessions. As a result, they can acquire diseases and transmit them if clients have injuries, such as open wounds on their feet.

According to studies, this method does not present risks in patients with healthy skin. However, people with diabetes and a weakened immune system should not use this procedure for skin and nail hygiene. These people are vulnerable and can contract infectious diseases.

It is also essential to pay attention to the species of fish used; some beauty institutes are using other species unsuitable for this type of aesthetic treatment.

Since the same water and fish are used for several simultaneous and subsequent clients, and the fish are potential carriers of pathogens, the most critical health risk from fish spas is the possible transmission of infections.

The water temperature in fish spas is kept at 25–30 °C, thus providing opportunities for many bacteria to thrive. Pathogens may be transmitted from fish to man, water to man, and man to man with water and fish. Appropriate water quality is vital to reduce the risk of infection for clients.

However, conventional water treatment and disinfection are not possible because these processes would kill the fish, so other methods such as O3 injection and UV lights are used. Commonly, the water is filtered, but most applied filters do not remove microorganisms, and those that do, have little effect on microorganisms in biofilms present in the tank or on the fish skin.

Partial water changes are necessary and result in dilution of the microbial contamination and may have a beneficial effect on water quality when no fresh contamination is introduced. However, fish spas are continuously re-contaminated while in use in daily practice, making it crucial to maintain an optimal water change routine.

Handling fish and keeping fish in crowded tanks may lead to chronic stress, reduced fish health, and poor fish immunity. Healthy fish may carry (human) pathogens without having visible symptoms. When such fish are exposed to unfavorable conditions, outbreaks of infectious diseases may occur among the fish, resulting in an increased number of waterborne bacteria in the spas, with an accompanying increased zoonotic risk of transmission to humans.

Always look for reliable spas that offer quality services and take care of your health, so there will be no problems.