Fish pedicure
The Yvonne Hair and Nails salon in Alexandria, Virginia offers a service where garra rufa (aka Doctor fish) nibble the dead skin off clients' feet. Proprietor John Ho claims that 5,000 customers have had the treatment so far. It costs $35 for 15 minutes and $50 for a half hour. From the Associated Press (image from CNN video):
Ho was skeptical at first about the fish, which are called garra rufa but typically known as doctor fish. They were first used in Turkey and have become popular in some Asian countries...Fish pedicure (AP), Fish pedicure video (CNN)
In addition to offering pedicures, Ho hopes to establish a network of Doctor Fish Massage franchises and is evaluating a full-body fish treatment that, among other things, could treat psoriasis and other skin ailments.
Ho spent a year and about $40,000 getting the pedicures up and running...
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