ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Ready for the
latest in spa pampering? Prepare to dunk your tootsies in a tank of
water and let tiny carp nibble away.Fish pedicures are creating
something of a splash in the D.C. area, where a northern Virginia spa
has been offering them for the past four months. John Ho, who runs the
Yvonne Hair and Nails salon with his wife, Yvonne Le, said 5,000 people
have taken the plunge so far.
This is a good treatment for everyone who likes to have nice feet," Ho
said.He said he wanted to come up with something unique while finding a
replacement for pedicures that use razors to scrape off dead skin. The
razors have fallen out of favor with state regulators because of
concerns about whether they're sanitary.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.But Ho doubted they would thrive in the warm water
needed for a comfortable footbath. And he didn't know if customers
would like the idea."I know people were a little intimidated at first,"
Ho said. "But I just said, 'Let's give it a shot.' "Customers were
quickly hooked.Tracy Roberts, 33, of Rockville, Md., heard about it on
a local radio show. She said it was "the best pedicure I ever had" and
has spread the word to friends and co-workers.
"I'd been an athlete all my life, so I've always had calluses on my
feet. This was the first time somebody got rid of my calluses
completely," she said.First time customer KaNin Reese, 32, of
Washington, described the tingling sensation created by the toothless
fish: "It kind of feels like your foot's asleep," she said.The fish
don't do the job alone. After 15 to 30 minutes in the tank, customers
get a standard pedicure, made easier by the soft skin the doctor fish
leave behind.Ho believes his is the only salon in the country to offer
the treatment, which costs $35 for 15 minutes and $50 for 30 minutes.
The spa has more than 1,000 fish, with about 100 in each individual
pedicure tank at any given time.Dennis Arnold, a podiatrist who four
years ago established the International Pedicure Association, said he
had never heard of the treatment and doubts it will become
widespread."I think most people would be afraid of it," he
said.Customer Patsy Fisher, 42, of Crofton, Md., admitted she was
nervous as she prepared for her first fish pedicure. But her
apprehension dissolved into laughter after she put her feet in the tank
and the fish swarmed to her toes."It's a little ticklish, actually,"
she said.Ho said the hot water in which the fish thrive doesn't support
much plant or aquatic life, so they learned to feed on whatever food
sources were available -- including dead, flaking skin. They leave live
skin alone because, without teeth, they can't bite it off.
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, with a few hiccups along the way.State regulations make
no provision for regulating fish pedicures. But the county health
department -- which does regulate pools -- required the salon to switch
from a shallow, tiled communal pool that served as many as eight people
to individual tanks in which the water is changed for each customer.The
communal pool also presented its own problem: At times the fish would
flock to the feet of an individual with a surplus of dead skin, leaving
others with a dearth of fish."It would sometimes be embarrassing for
them but it was also really hilarious," Ho said.
Skin Toning Tips
By: Juliet Cohen
Healthy
and supple skin is not so much of a dream if you take proper
precautions and pay attention to your diet and exercise. A good daily
skin care regimen calls for four basic steps: Cleansing, Exfoliating,
Toning and Moisturizing. Skin toners are necessary for all skin types.
Skin toners helps to improve blood circulation to the skin surface and
gives the skin the glow that is associated with its good health. Toners
are used to clean the oil from the skin. They may cause skin feel
tighter because of skin irritation. The skin is freshened by skin
toning lotions. They help to increase the blood supply to the skin.
Toning the skin helps remove any residual cleanser or make-up that may
have been left behind. A toner also helps restore the natural pH level
of the skin, leaves your skin clean, clear and ready to be hydrated.Toning
close the pores, tighten the skin, and keep it from being exposed to
many of the toxins that are floating in the air or other environmental
pollutants. Toners can be used to clean the last traces of oil from the
skin. Skin toning lotions freshen the skin. They also stimulate the
blood supply to the skin. Use astringent lotions with a piece of cotton
wool but if your skin is looking worn off and tired, pat it on with a
brisk slapping movement. For Normal Skin, chop up a small sized fresh
cucumber and liquidize it with half a cup of yoghurt.Apply the mixture
for 5-10 minutes, and wash it off. For Oily Skin whisk one egg white
until it thickens, then whisk in 1 tsp of honey. Finally add 1 tsp of
lemon juice.Apply to your face and neck avoiding the delicate eye and
lip areasThe easiest way of applying a toner is to put it on a
cotton pad and wipe face in outward and upward strokes. Toners not only
cleanse the skin further and help in removing any remnants of particles
that you may have left behind but also cools, nourishes, hydrates and
freshens up your skin. It tightens up skin and close up any skin pores
that may have opened up while deep cleansing the face. Toners must be
alcohol-free as alcohol dries off skin. You can also make a natural
skin toner at home. Tomato juice is a good skin toner. Cucumber toner
is a refreshing toner for normal skins. Chop up a small sized fresh
cucumber and liquidize it with half a cup of yoghurt. Apply the mixture
for 5-10 minutes, and wash it off. Rose is an excellent skin toner.
Vitamin E oil and wheat oil are very effective for dry skin.Skin Toning tipsOily
skinned people should tone with an astringent lotion.A good skin toner
will also help prevent wrinkles.Potato is a effective skin toner
especially for dry skin.Vitamin E oil and wheat oil are very effective
for dry skin.For dry skin vitamin E and wheat oil are also
effective.Toner for sensitive skin is to mash the strawberries and
apply it for 5 minutes and wash it off.Top skin toners help remove all
traces of oil, dirt and makeup and revitalize your face by closing the
pores.