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Something fishy is going on at the Lost Paradise of Dilmun waterpark, with its latest attraction offering an alternative beauty treatment.
The waterpark’s ‘Fish Doctor Spa’ offers visitors the chance to have their feet pampered by Garra Rufa fish, or ‘doctor fish’, a type of toothless carp that nibbles on dead skin to achieve similar results to a pedicure.
It has been claimed that besides keeping your tootsies looking ship shape, the treatment may also ease the pain of those suffering from uncomfortable skin conditions.
LPOD PR manager Cristina Fulgencio said: “We opened the attraction a few weeks ago and have already had positive feedback and lots of questions about it.”
The treatment, which originated in Asia has been gaining popularity around the UK although it has been met with scepticism in parts of the US amidst hygiene concerns and potential health risks for people with diabetes.
The fishy pedicures have been banned in Florida, Texas, New Hampshire and Washington amid fears that infections could spread through open wounds. While it advised certain individuals to avoid treatment, it said any risk was ‘very low’ for healthy clients when spas adhered to strict codes of cleanliness.
LPOD insists that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure that the procedure goes swimmingly.
Miss Fulgencio said: “The health and safety of the customers is our main concern and we have taken several steps to make sure everything is as hygienic as possible.
“In parts of Asia there is one full container of these fish and several people are treated at the same time but at LPOD each container is individual.
“There are very strict restrictions in place to ensure that all possible health and safety precautions are met. For example, you cannot use this treatment if you have diabetes, bad circulation or any open wounds on your feet.
“There will also be a foot inspection prior to using the treatment and obviously you have to wash your feet first. Also, the water is continuously filtered and changed at the end of each day.”
The Fish Doctor Spa is the brainchild of LPOD assistant general manager Issa Asmar. He urges people not to be afraid or put off by the idea of the treatment.
He said: “In nature, these fish forage for food in algae and essentially that’s what they’re doing with your feet.
“It’s a misconception that these fish actually eat the skin, they don’t. They just nibble away any dead skin, which is filtered away through the system.
“They actually eat a special fish food and we feed them everyday, it doesn’t matter how many feet they’ve nibbled, they’re always ready for their real dinner.
“It’s something fun, something different and it’s a unique attraction for the park. I’ve been researching it for a while and wanted to make sure everything was in place to do it right before we opened it up.”
Each container boasts around 200 fish which take about 15 minutes to remove the dead skin from feet. The Fish Doctor Spa costs BD5 and visitors may only have one session a day.
