I do love to do something a little bit different and had been intrigued by the garra rufa fish pedicure. When my daily offer from Groupon popped up for £9 for a 30 minute treatment it was something I decided to give a try.

What is Garra Rufa Fish?

These fish are grown in warm spas in Turkey and have the skill of eating dry hard skin but leaves healthy skin. The Fish therapy has grown in the UK. The first treatment spa opened in the UK in 2010 and now they are growing in cities throughout the UK. The practise had been growing in the US but is actually banned in many states due to concerns about sanitation and cross infection.

My experience

The Treatment was to take place in Au natural in Derby which is a small holistic centre next door to the playhouse theatre. When I entered I sat waiting for the receptionist who also did the treatment to finish on the phone. To my horror I noticed the tank with Algae on the bottom. I was a little apprehensive at the point but as I had already paid for my treatment so decided to go for it. I handed over my voucher and I was fetched a washing up bowl if water that was very cool. I put my feet in hoping I wouldn't be soaking them for too long. I realised I had not been asked any health questions, asked about cuts or anything at all other than my name. I was given some flip flops to walk over to the tank.

I sat on a cushioned bench and placed my feet in with trepidation. As soon as my feet were in the tank I was squealing with laughter. While I do have ticklish feet these fish seemed to find all of them. After about five minutes it subsided to more of a tingle. I was given a magazine to take my mind off the fish. When I looked down I could see them nibbling where the hard skin was around my heels and side of my big toes. Towards the end my feet were starting to feel quite chilly and my back was starting to ache from the position I was sat in. Again I was relieved when I was asked to put flip flops on and dry my feet. I wasn't given any cream simply a tissue to dry my feet before I put my shoes on and left.

On my way back to the car I walked past another Fish pedicure treatment centre in the Westfield centre and noticed each bench had towels and all tanks were spotlessly clean.

The results are pretty impressive. As the mum of a four year old I don't often get chance to pamper my feet and so are not very well cared for. My feet do feel much smoother although there are a few areas that are slightly rough it is a dramatic improvement.

I don't regret having it done after all after all it has improved my skin but there is still skin that could of been removed. I think we should all experience new things to grow but once done I don't feel a need to return. I do strongly advise you check out the spa shop before booking.