FIN LAND

“A species of fish called Garra rufa found in the freshwater basins of Turkey,Syria,Iran and Iraq feed on unhealthy skin,leaving one’s feet relaxed and rejuvenated. The concept of a fish spa originated in Turkey and has become extremely popular in Malaysia,Singapore and Japan,” says Shikha Chandra,26,owner of Happy Feet in Select Citywalk Mall. In Japan fish therapy for the entire body is popular,but Happy Feet is confining the treatment to the feet. The pedicure is a 30-minute procedure with 600 Garra rufa in the tank. It is done on the first-floor balcony of Select,so the afternoons tend to get a bit hot but evening pedicures are pleasant enough.

The process is simple and begins with mild cleansing of the feet,followed by a dip in fishy waters maintained at a temperature of 30-35 degree Celsius,when the rufas,also called doctor fish or little dermatologists,do their job — bite off dead skin,leaving your skin glowing fresh. “These fish don’t have teeth so it doesn’t hurt at all. There’s just a ticklish feeling. It’s like the usual pedicure except it’s totally natural,” says Chandra,who’s already doing 30 pedicures on weekdays and over 50 on weekends,since she opened two weeks ago.

The fish feast on your feet for 15 minutes. This is followed by a 10-minute foot massage by a reflexologist. The whole process is priced at Rs 220. But if you want extras,like a neck and shoulder massage,it costs more,Rs 375. The fish massage is generating massive interest among shoppers at Select,with even five-year-olds in the crowd of fin-watchers. Just hope these flesh eaters are hungry when it is your turn. Contact: 9811088957