Fish pedicures have gained a unique place in beauty practices, providing consumers with an unusual way to pamper their feet. This trend involves placing feet in a tank filled with small fish, often referred to as Garra rufa or “doctor fish.” These fish nibble away dead skin, leaving the feet feeling smooth and rejuvenated. The popularity of fish pedicures continues to grow, attracting those looking for innovative beauty treatments. As with any beauty practice, it is essential to ensure that these treatments are safe and regulated.
Health regulations surrounding fish pedicures are a crucial factor that consumers must consider. One of the primary concerns is hygiene. Many salons and spas offering fish pedicures do not maintain strict sanitation standards. According to Aydin, Aksoy, and Ceylan (2020), improper cleaning of fish tanks and equipment can lead to serious health risks, including infections and the spreading of bacteria. For example, if a customer has cuts or injuries on their feet, the exposure to contaminated water may increase their likelihood of developing skin infections. Thus, hygiene practices must be meticulously followed to minimize risk.
Studies on ichthyotherapy, the practice that incorporates the use of fish in wellness treatments, highlight the importance of safety measures in salons. Research conducted by Gorzel and Kiełtyka-Dadasiewicz (2019) points out that many establishments do not comply with health regulations. For instance, ensuring the water temperature is appropriate, using filtered systems, and properly caring for the fish can significantly enhance safety. However, the lack of standardization in regulations across different regions often leaves customers vulnerable. This inconsistency can lead to varying experiences depending on the location of the salon they visit.
Consumer experiences regarding fish pedicures can vary widely, and safety concerns play a significant role in shaping those experiences. Shih et al. (2020) investigated the perceptions of clients who had undergone fish pedicure treatments and found that positive experiences were often linked to cleanliness and well-maintained facilities. Customers who observed that salons adhered to hygiene measures felt safer and were more likely to enjoy their experience. On the other hand, some individuals reported discomfort or anxiety due to the lack of visible cleanliness, which detracted from their experience altogether. Similarly, Tillman (2025) emphasized that the enjoyment of fish pedicures is closely tied to an individual’s comfort level with the treatment’s safety aspects.
In examining the ethical implications of fish treatment in beauty practices, it is also vital to consider how treatment and care affect the fish themselves. Many consumers are unaware of the conditions in which the fish are kept. Fish in these setups can suffer from stress and poor living conditions if not appropriately cared for. Therefore, while clients seek relaxation and pleasure for themselves, the ethical treatment of the fish involved must be a part of the conversation.
In summary, fish pedicures present both innovative beauty experiences and significant health and ethical considerations. By understanding the safety regulations and the well-being of the fish, consumers can make informed choices about their beauty treatments., The ethical implications surrounding fish treatment in the beauty industry are becoming increasingly important. Many consumers are unaware of how the fish used in pedicures are actually treated in salons. There are significant concerns about the welfare of the fish, such as their living conditions, stress levels, and overall health. Studies like those by Scutt (2020) and Vanhooteghem et al. (2021) highlight that fish kept in small tanks can experience stress and poor health due to inadequate care. These concerns raise ethical questions about whether it is right to use live animals for beauty treatments.
As people become more aware of these issues, it is crucial to find a balance between beauty practices and ethical considerations. Consumers want to look good and feel relaxed during treatments, but they also want to ensure that the animals involved are treated well. Pisngot and Cabaguing (2024) point out that salons need to adopt better practices to maintain both beauty standards and the ethical treatment of fish. This means ensuring fish are healthy, well cared for, and not subjected to stressful environments.
The treatment of fish in salons also shapes consumer perception and satisfaction. Many customers feel uneasy if they think the fish are not well cared for. Marwiyah and Apriyani (2018) suggest that when consumers trust that the fish are treated ethically, they are more likely to enjoy their experience at the salon. A positive fish treatment leads to a more satisfying consumer experience, which directly affects their return to the salon and their willingness to recommend it to others. If salons implement best practices for fish care, it can lead to improved customer confidence and satisfaction, enhancing the overall enjoyment of fish pedicures.
Future directions for safe and ethical beauty practices should focus on creating regulations and guidelines that can be easily followed by salons. Benge (2014) and Shih et al. (2020) emphasize that implementing such guidelines will not only help protect the fish but also improve consumers’ overall experiences. By educating salon owners and employees about the ethical treatment of fish, and by encouraging transparency in their practices, salons can foster a greater sense of trust among clients.
As awareness around animal welfare grows, it is likely that consumers will demand more ethical practices in beauty industries, making it important for salons to adapt. By doing so, they can enhance customer satisfaction and contribute to a more ethical framework in the beauty industry overall, while ensuring that the experiences offered are enjoyable, safe, and responsible.
Citations:
Gorzel, M. and Kiełtyka-Dadasiewicz, A., 2019. Safety and hygiene of ichthyotherapy with G. rufa fish. Archives of Physiotherapy & Global Researches, 23(2). https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&profile=ehost&scope=site&authtype=crawler&jrnl=23534389&AN=144553499&h=CK1dk4nR7csBYRjUIhWooRBxlmjkB9CvPkzarLMxibj1yDKFoSEtgHNjhudSib%2B0vT96ueCOnhjrLzwD5q9o6g%3D%3D&crl=c
Pisngot, J.N. and Cabaguing, A.M., 2024. From Salon to Home: The Professional Journey and Challenges of Beauticians. International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Research and Studies, 4(4), pp.722-729. https://www.multiresearchjournal.com/admin/uploads/archives/archive-1723016519.pdf
Shih, T., Khan, S., Shih, S. and Khachemoune, A., 2020. Fish pedicure: review of its current dermatology applications. Cureus, 12(6). https://www.cureus.com/articles/32522-fish-pedicure-review-of-its-current-dermatology-applications.pdf
Marwiyah and Apriyani, D., 2018, March. SPA (Solus per Aqua) service industry: An entrepeneurship opportunity to beauty education department. In AIP Conference Proceedings (Vol. 1941, No. 1, p. 020015). AIP Publishing LLC. https://pubs.aip.org/aip/acp/article-abstract/1941/1/020015/770683
Aydin, S., Aksoy, A. and Ceylan, H., 2020. Hygiene habits and infection risks of hairdressers and beauty salons employees during applications in different anatomic regions. https://annalsmedres.org/index.php/aomr/article/view/936
Stills, J., Chapter The Manicuring Industry in the 21st Century. http://s3.amazonaws.com/EliteCME_WebSite_2013/f/pdf/NTIL05I18.pdf
Scutt, J.A., 2020. Extremities: From the Tips of Her Fingers to the Tips of Her Toes. In Beauty, Women’s Bodies and the Law: Performances in Plastic (pp. 249-296). Cham: Springer International Publishing. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-27998-1_7
Vanhooteghem, O., Theate, I. and De Schaetzen, V., 2021. Periungual Mycobacterium marinum infection following a fish manicure. Skin appendage disorders, 7(5), pp.393-396. https://karger.com/sad/article/7/5/393/820540
Benge, S., 2014. Asian Secrets of Health, Beauty and Relaxation. Tuttle Publishing. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=kJQdBAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA108&dq=Benefits+and+safety+concerns+of+fish+pedicure+treatments+in+salons&ots=yKC4QRXqaB&sig=2B2LeE8OZ7LRoXBkO_dzpPNb7AI
Tillman, J.A., 2025. A Qualitative Descriptive Study: Customer Satisfaction in Arizona’s Full-Service Salon Industry (Doctoral dissertation, Trident University International). https://search.proquest.com/openview/cf59946d2f5c5798e2f546d98a8384df/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
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