Greatly forgotten in beauty routines, the feet often come last when it comes to taking care of your body. However, in recent years, this trend has tended to be turned upside down. Among the most characteristic treatments lavished on this neglected area, we now count the astonishing fish pedicure.

One thing is certain: it leaves no one indifferent. So what is it exactly? What are its benefits and what precautions should be taken to practice it safely? Here are some of the questions that PasseportSanté answers in this article.

It is to Asia, the Middle East and more precisely to Turkey that we owe this beauty practice like no other. Indeed, it has been many years now that the use of small fish to heal the skin has been recognized and widespread. Since then, this practice has ended up crossing borders and the number of beauty institutes offering it in France has multiplied. In order to enjoy the benefits of the fish pedicure, you just have to immerse your feet in a basin full of fish. The latter will then take care of most of the exfoliation work by gently nibbling on the dead skin found there.

Good to know: Garra rufa is the only species allowed when it comes to fish pedicures. It was first used in a therapeutic setting, to treat skin diseases such as eczema or psoriasis. Today, it is above all for their aesthetic virtues that these fish are popular in beauty institutes around the world. Their main feature: they have no teeth, a feature that allows them to exfoliate the feet by micro-suction and therefore gently and without pain. In fact, it is the enzyme they secrete – called dithranol – which is responsible for cleaning the skin of its impurities.

The properties of the fish pedicure are much more extensive than one might imagine. Indeed, in addition to effectively exfoliating the skin of the feet by eliminating the dead cells that accumulate there, the action of garra rufa promotes the growth of new cells and helps reduce itching, blemishes, as well as ailments. skin developing in this area, like calluses, warts, psoriasis and eczema.

As you will have understood, the fish pedicure makes the skin of the feet not only softer, smoother and more supple, but also healthier. But that’s not all: much less aggressive than that of the traditional grater, the action of the fish provides a real moment of relaxation, which is similar to a sensation of light massages, gentle caresses or tickling depending on the feelings. .

In order to get an idea of ​​how the fish pedicure takes place, here is a summary of the steps not to be missed for the most successful foot care:

• First step, before the session begins, a control of the feet is systematically carried out in order to ensure that nothing will disturb the good progress of the fish pedicure;
• As a result of this, lThe feet are thoroughly disinfected and then rinsed so that any risk of transmission of pathogens is avoided. Once these two essential steps have been carried out, the feet can finally be immersed, between fifteen and thirty minutes on average, a period which most often varies depending on the formula chosen;
• After letting the fish do their work, you can prolong the pleasure thanks to a massage, this time carried out by the beautician, who will take over in order to finish sublimating your feet.

As practical and beneficial as it is, it seems that this beauty practice for the feet is not without risks. Indeed, some dermatologists recommend avoiding the fish manicure for the following reasons: if the institutes offering this treatment continue to multiply, not all of them scrupulously respect the rules essential for its good doubling.

Indeed, whether it is the use of the wrong species of fish (in other words, another than gara rufa), poor filtration of the ponds, questionable hygienic conditions …

Be careful with whom you trust your feet. Not to mention that, for the well-being of the fish, the water in which you immerse them will generally rise to more than 25 degrees. A temperature that is certainly pleasant, but also conducive to the development of bacteria. This is the reason why, if you are not sure which institute to turn to, or if your skin is already weakened by injuries or illnesses, we strongly advise you not to succumb to the tendency of fish pedicure, which can – in some cases – be hazardous to you and your health.