Fish Spas

Posted by Northerner on December 6th, 2009 filed in Attractions, Living here, Locals, tourist tips

You can’t have helped noticing the number of fish spas that have opened around Chiang Mai in recent months. You will find them at Airport Plaza, at the end of Night Bazaar road, Rimping Plaza, Nimmanahaeminda Road. Every day there seems to be a new one appearing. 

If you don’t know what a fish spa is, it’s basically a place where you dip your feet into a pool of water and hundreds of doctor fish nibble away at your flesh. Sounds a bit like a scene from a horror film and I have to admit, it took me a while to pluck up the courage to try. Apparently the fish only feed on any affected or dead skin on your feet and don’t touch the healthy skin, guess my feet must be completely dead because it felt like they were biting everywhere and nobody told me it would be so ticklish!!

 These fish spas originated in Turkey and were first used to treat people who suffer with psoriasis. You have to wonder who first came up with the idea ‘Oh you got psoriasis, never mind my pet fish will soon clear that up!!!’

 Since them, they have been popping up all over Asia more as a cosmetic treatment rather than to cure skin disease. Anyway if you’re concerned about the fish biting you, don’t. They say there’s little risk of infection as most Asian spa rules state everyone must bring their own towels and keep a fair distance from each-other while in the pool. Although sitting next to a guy in the pool who’s got dodgy feet, you can’t help feeling you may pick up some skin infection along the way. Would I try it again? Yeah, probably, I’m a sucker for punishment, but would probably head for somewhere that seems more hygienic. Sharing a fish tank with other shoppers in the local mall just doesn’t feel right to me.

 For those interested in this alternative spa treatment, prices start at 150 baht for 15 minutes. Be sure to count your toes at the end of the treatment, just in case.