Dr.Fish

One of the latest fads in skin care involves tanks of live fish, and it's stirring up quite a controversy. Garra rufa, or doctor fish as they're known to most of the world, have been used in spas across Europe and Asia for quite some time, but they weren't introduced to the United States until 2008. That's when a Virginia salon owner brought the fish home from a China spa and started offering doctor fish pedicures [source: Shishkin].
The fish originate in Turkey, where they've been used for more than 100 years to treat serious skin conditions such as psoriasis. The water temperatures there are high, which prevents many nutrients from surviving. As a result, doctor fish are basically starving and seem to have an insatiable appetite for dead skin [source: Atkins]. The popularity of doctor fish pedicures in the United States probably has as much to do with novelty as anything else. At the very least it's a creative way to exfoliate, and it seems to work.
However, if you think the whole thing sounds a little fishy, you're not alone. At least 14 state cosmetology boards agree with you. That's how many have banned the procedure on grounds that it's unsanitary, and more are likely to follow. The Virginia salon, however, remains unaffected for the time being. Virginia is not one of the fourteen states that have banned the use of doctor fish in spas.
Doctor Fish Predicures
Most pedicures involve soaking your feet in a tub of warm water. Doctor fish pedicures are no different, except that the tub of water also happens to be filled with starving fish that consume the dead skin off your feet. The idea might be disturbing to many people at first, but others who have tried it swear by it.
So how does it work? Many pedicures involve removing dead skin using razors, but doctor fish provide an alternative. When you stick your feet in a pool of doctor fish, they should immediately begin feeding on your dead skin. They don't have any teeth, so they can't bite off healthy skin. They can only nibble at the dead, flaky skin with their lips. Many people describe the sensation as ticklish, similar to the feeling you get when your foot falls asleep. Usually a 15 to 30 minute soak is enough to leave your skin feeling soft and smooth, but the fish can't get the job done on their own. A regular pedicure follows the fishy footbath [source: CBS News].
There is some concern about whether doctor fish pedicures are sanitary because the process often involves using the same fish for multiple treatments, and most cosmetology rules require equipment to be discarded after each use [source: Odell]. That's what's behind all the cosmetology board bans on the use of doctor fish. In places where they are legal, however, doctor fish treatments continue to thrive, and in some parts of the world they are used for much more than just pedicures.

Benefits of Doctor Fish
Long before doctor fish were giving people pedicures in the United States, they were being used around the world to treat serious skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema. A spa in Turkey has been offering this service for more than 100 years, and in 1988 it became an official treatment center for people who have psoriasis. It now treats about 3,000 patients every year from all over the world [source: Atkins].
Psoriasis and other similar skin conditions cause a buildup of dead skin cells that form scaly patches on the skin, which can be uncomfortable and unsightly. Doctor fish help treat these conditions exactly the same way they help prepare feet for a pedicure, by eating away at dead skin. Soaking in water helps soften the scaly patches, and that in turn allows the fish to dig in. Completely clear skin, however, will take a commitment, since doctor fish can offer only temporary relief [source: Atkins].
A recent study backed up these claims. Not only can doctor fish be an effective treatment for psoriasis when combined with controlled ultraviolet therapy, but they can also help make symptoms less severe when they return. Patients involved in the study averaged more than eight months of psoriasis-free skin, and few had adverse affects. Nearly 90 percent said they preferred doctor fish treatment to other forms of therapy [source: Grassberger and Hoch]. To say the least, the results of the study are promising for those who suffer from psoriasis.
As much as the treatment's proponents rave about its effects, it isn't without its risks. Although the fish can't bite you because they don't have teeth, there is still a chance you could experience minor bleeding at the site. And if you have any chronic skin condition, you should consult your doctor before undergoing doctor fish treatment.
Check out the links on the next page for a lot more information about the use of doctor fish and what both supporters and opponents have to say about it.

Lots More Information
Related HowStuffWorks Articles
Top 5 Natural Exfoliants
How Psoriasis Works
How Rosacea Works
How Eczema Works
How to Improve Skin Texture
5 Wacky Spa Services
Sources
Atkins, Lucy. "Eaten alive." The Guardian. April 10, 2007. (Accessed Sept. 28, 2009)http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2007/apr/10/healthandwellbeing.health2
CBS News. "Newest Beauty Treatment: Fish Pedicures." July 21, 2008. (Accessed Sept. 28, 2009)http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/21/national/main4279160.shtml
Grassberger, M. and W. Hoch. "Ichthyotherapy as alternative treatment for patients with psoriasis: a pilot study." PubMed. December 2006. (Accessed Sept. 28, 2009)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17173112?ordinalpos=2&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
National Psoriasis Foundation. "About psoriasis: Statistics." (Accessed Sept. 28, 2009)http://www.psoriasis.org/netcommunity/learn_statistics
Northeast Fisheries Science Center. "NEFSC Fish FAQ." NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service. (Accessed Sept. 28, 2009)http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/faq/fishfaq1b.html
Odell, Amy. "State Cosmetology Boards Not Down With Fish Pedicures." New York Magazine. March 24, 2009. (Accessed Sept. 28, 2009)http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2009/03/state_cosmetology_boards_not_d.html
Shishkin, Philip. "Ban on Feet-Nibbling Fish Leaves Nail Salons on the Hook." The Wall Street Journal. March 23, 2009. (Accessed Sept. 28, 2009)http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123776729360609465.html

Doctor Fish
هو اسم نوع من الأسماك
ولها نوعين الاول ذو لون فضي والنوع الآخر الذي يميل لونها إلى الحمرة، وهي تعيش في المياه العذبة ،
وتتغذى على الخلايا المتضررة والميتة من جلد المرضى الذين يعانون من أمراض جلدية مختلفة،
وتتميز بأنها لا تتغذى على خلايا الجلد السليمة.وطريقة العلاج بسيطة وهى عبارة عن حوض ماء دافئ مليء بأسماك من نوعية ( Garra Rufa )
الذي يتغذى على الجلد الميت في الجسم وتعطي من خلال عضاتها الصغيرة شعورا جميلا مدغدغا في بداية الأمر
ومن ثم يساعد على الاسترخاء.والميزة الرئيسية لمساج الأسماك تكمن في قدرته على إزالة الجلد الميت بواسطة طريقة طبيعية
كما يساعد على العلاج من أمراض جلدية مختلفة مثل
(الصدفية ,الأكزيما,مسمار الرجل – الكالو – Callus)
و تنشيط الدورة الدموية وتنظيف الجلد وإزالة البقع أو الوحمات الصغيرة والاسترخاء وإزالة التوتر والشعور بالسعادة.
http://drfish.org/?page_id=94

about us Doctor Fish هو اسم نوع من الأسماك ولها نوعين الاول ذو لون فضي والنوع الآخر الذي يميل لونها إلى الحمرة، وهي تعيش في المياه العذبة ، وتتغذى على الخلايا...

حبة صور حصرية من مراكزنا بالخارج ........ ان شاء الله فرع مصر حيبقى الاحسن و الافضل http://drfish.org/?gallery=1

حبة صور حصرية من مراكزنا بالخارج ........ ان شاء الله فرع مصر حيبقى الاحسن و الافضل

Some exciting news coming soon... Can you guess what it is?

important FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where do the fish come from?
A: The Garra Rufa fish, known as DR FISH for their therapeutic properties, belong to the carp family – a unique type of freshwater fish native to Middle East river basins. First discovered in the 19th century in the hot springs of the Kengal valley, Turkey, the Garra Rufa fish are recognized for their numerous healing benefits and effectiveness in exfoliating, cleansing and softening of the skin.

Q: How does it feel?
A: The sensation is similar to that of mini whirlpool bath jets that gently massage and stimulate your skin. Some find the experience ticklish at first but the feeling passes quickly so that deep relaxation can begin.

Q: Does it hurt – do they bite or have teeth?
A: No. The Garra Rufa fish have no teeth. They do not bite rather gently nibble away at dead skin cells to promote the growth of healthy new skin.

Q: If I have mosquio bites or a cut can I come?
A: Only open wounds should not be exposed to the fish, we provide protective plasters if needed.

Q: If I have a skin condition what results can I expect after one session?
A: Relief and improvement. To treat and cure, consecutive sessions are required. Studies conducted over a month period have shown that 70% of people were healed after doing daily 1 hour treatment, followed by 20 minutes of sun exposure.

Q: How often do you clean the water?
A: The water is constantly purified through a state of the art filtration system that cleans the entire pool every 30 minutes.

Q: Is it safe?
A: Yes, the Garra Rufa fish treatment is completely safe. Note that only the original Garra Rufa fish have the desired enzyme and healing properties that ensure the safety and health of your skin – beware of imitations.

http://drfish.org/?page_id=152

FAQ - drfish Frequently Asked Questions Q: Where do the fish come from? A: The Garra Rufa fish, known as DR FISH for their therapeutic properties, belong to the carp family – a unique type of freshwater fish native to Middle East river basins. First discovered in the 19th century in...

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http://drfish.org/

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True or False :

"Body Comfort Starts At Feet" ??????

How to Give a Foot Reflexology?????
come try it

What Are the Benefits???

The dead skin areas are exfoliated, leaving the healthy skin untouched to continue growing and repairing. The process is both Painless, safe and strangely wonderful, leaving behind a unique pleasant tingling sensation. After enjoying doctor fish treatment, the skin will look healthier, fresher and more brilliant with a remarkably low price.

It’s Fishy fish spa is not designed as treatment option, only as a brief cure for symptoms such as feet pain, lightening and fading of minor scars, stimulation of acupuncture points, the release of fatigue, stress and tension also as a micro-massage to oxygenate and promote blood circulation.

Their History

Garra Rufa fish, also now known as the doctor fish, nibble fish, kangal fish, doctorfishen and surgeonfish are a member of the Cypriniformes family of fish, and originates from the countries of Turkey and Iran. They where first discovered in the 19th century in the Hot Springs of the Kangal valley.

There is more than one legend telling the story of how the healing properties of Garra Rufa therapy were discovered. How true these stories are is unknown and maybe they are variations of the same set of events changed slightly over the years.

The most popular one is that two Turkish brothers from the town of Kangal stumbled across a hot spring one day and after their long walk stopped to dip their feet into the water. The moment their feet where submersed the tiny Garra Rufa Obtusa swarmed around and began to nibble at them.

The brothers enjoyed this massage so much that they returned on a regular basis and adopted fish spa therapy as a hobby. It is said that one of the brothers had a skin condition of the feet that he noticed was dramatically improving as a result of the Garra Rufa fish pedicure.

This treatment spread and soon people began to visit the hot springs and rivers to benefit from the healing powers of the Garra Rufa fish.

During the 1960’s Garra Rufa centre's where created in close proximity to the natural habitat of the Garra-fish. People from around the world could visit these areas for this unique treatment that has been said to triumph over foot conditions when other treatments such as medicines and creams have failed.

Our fish

To help with our mission is our team of trusty Garra rufa fish, always at ready for whatever feet are dipped their way. They will gently suck and ni**le away at your dead skin leaving feet feeling soft, smooth and revitalised. They love meeting new feet every day. They are sociable and will never fail to tuck-in to your toes.

Originally from southern Turkey and northern Syria, for centuries Doctor Fish have been known for softening and cleansing the skin of people who bathed in hot springs where the fish darted about.

This trend has now traveled to the Far East, America and the UK and is now in Egypt creating a lot of interest. All over the world nibble fish centers are springing up and people are taking advantage of a totally organic pedicure.

Worldwide, these Dr. Fish have made a name for themselves as “bio-therapists”, “dermatologists”, “pedicurists”, “nibble fish” and “Dr. Fish”.

It sounds crazy, but don’t knock it until you try it – it is surprisingly fun. These normally vegetarian fish home in on areas of dry skin, especially around heels and soles of the feet and finger nails.

The fish we use at It’s Fishy fish spa are original Garra Rufa.
Although these little Minnow size fish have no teeth, they certainly have a big impact!