I just had my first ‘doctor fish’ manicure and pedicure at the new “The Original Dr. Fish” in Amsterdam.  This latest trend in the spa world started in2006 in Japan and has been spreading slowly around the world since.  Its a cosmetic hands and feet treatment where the little 2 inch doctor fish suck on your hands and feet gently exfoliating the skin and removing the superficial flakes so you come out with smooth hands and feet!

Known as ‘doctor fish’ their official name is Garra Rufa.  A freshwater fish found in the river basins of the Northern and Central Middle East, mainly in Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran, they live to be 5-7 years.  They are often used to treat psoriasis symptoms.

Dr. Fish in Amsterdam is a nice spa with 8 stations where you relax, dip your feet and hands into the cool waters, and let the fish do their work for about 20 minutes.  The fish come right up to you and start sucking.  At first its weird to see them all around and its a little ticklish.  But quickly you get used to it and it feels like little bubbles of a mini whirlpool.  They don’t have teeth so they literally just suck. As the spa attendant told me ‘your skin is like a little snack of cookies or candy to the fish.’  They’re fed real food in the morning and night.

The spa also has packages with massage and facial… no fish included here. Packages start at €29.95 for the simple fish treatment. You can also opt for the finishing of a typical mani/pedi. I had a nice massage although the rooms are a bit bright and chairs are used for both massage and facial so a bit clinical.  The reception area is very nice and relaxing… you’re greeted with a coffee or tea then after your treatments you enjoy a lovely glass of Prosecco and hors d’oeuvres.

A great relaxing afternoon and new experience I’d recommend.