There’s something fishy going on down at the Peridot Nail Salon.
Inspired by a report on NBC’s “Today” show she saw several months ago, Peridot owner Tuyet “Tweety” Bui has imported to Washington the newest fad in the health and beauty industry: Fish pedicures.
“It took me forever, but I finally found the fish,” Bui said.
Imported from China, the tiny “chin chin” fish are toothless algae eaters that flock to dead skin, suctioning it off and leaving feet softer than before dipping them into the aquarium, according to Bui.
And people are, uh, schooling in to try it out.
“It tickles at first, but then you get kind of used to it,” said Britt Kurle, who heard about the tiny creatures – also called “doctor fish” – and came down from Federal Way on Friday to try them out.
Kurle and fellow first-timer DeeDee Wegener of Auburn both said they enjoyed their fish pedicures, despite the ticklish feeling it left between their toes.
“You can feel them start to suck harder sometimes,” said Wegener, who went through a variety of facial contortions as the fish swarmed around her feet.
As they move from foot to foot, the tiny fish nibble on bits of dead skin, providing what Bui called an “alternative to cutting” cuticles.
“It’s not only different, it’s good,” Bui said. “The fish will do all that and you don’t have to do anything else.”
Customers took the bait and lined up Friday for their chance to dip their feet into one of two aquariums at the salon, many snapping pictures of the fish nibbling at their feet.
Bui said the fish work more like an exfoliator than an actual pedicure, adding that they do not compare to a traditional pedicure, which many clients get after letting the fish at their feet for a while.
“I love it,” Bui said. “It’s nice and soft.”
Bui also said her research indicates that as the fish grow they will begin to focus more on pressure points, creating something of an accupunture feel.
The trend started several years ago in Turkey and other parts of Asia and made a splash earlier this year when several salons on the East Coast started offering the service.
Bui said Peridot is one of three West Coast salons offering a fish pedicure and the only one in Washington state.
The fish do not bite. It is an odd sensation as they move from foot to foot and between the toes, ticklish, but easily tolerable and almost pleasant once you get used to it, according to this reporter, who also gave it a go and dipped his feet into the tank.
“It’s a funny sensation,” Bui said. “I like the result.”
Bui said she imported the fish, nearly 300, at a cost of $3,000, but she is pleased to offer the new service and said it was very much worth the investment.
In the future, Bui plans to update the fish-pedicure section of the salon to include massage chairs, to enhance the experience.
All of the customers who tried it had the same reaction, however, and said they would be scheduling a return trip to let the fish have another go at their feet.
“Wow,” said Wegener as she checked out the results. “I loved it.”
Peridot Nail Salon is located at 208 W. Kent Station St., Suite 102 in Kent Station. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 253-854-2547. The cost for a fish pedicure is $30 for 15 minutes or $50 for 30 minutes.
Brian Beckley can be reached at 253-437-6012 or bbeckley@kentreporter.com
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