Doctor Fish

When one goes to the Singapore Flyer, one expects to take the Flyer. But that was not the case with me and a friend last Friday. We went for a new spa treatment by Dr Fish - yes, you heard it right - fishes are also medically educated now :)

It was truly a worthwhile experience - and out of this world. The first few minutes, was like a torture of a lifetime, especially if you are ticklish - and yet the irony is that these fishes are toothless! But thereafter as you get accustomed to it, it begins to feel as if they are massaging your feet. Don't let the picture on the right scare you though ... in actual fact, there are more fishes swarming at your feet than shown here ... (evil laugh).

Doctor fish are a species called garra rufa and originate in pools near two small Turkish towns, Kangal and Sivas. They have long been known for their ability to treat the symptoms of skin conditions such as psoriasis.

In Kangal, the water's high temperature makes it difficult for any nutrients to survive; the doctor fish are therefore ravenous. Handily, they also have a penchant for dead, diseased or scabby skin. With their gummy mouths they strike and lick the psoriatic plaques, eating away the scaly skin that has been softened by the warm spa pool.

The idea is that you immerse your feet, hands or, if you are brave enough, your entire body in a warm pool that swarms with hundreds of hungry minnow-sized feeders. The fish zoom in on your most crusty, flaky or scabby skin and chomp away at it to reveal the fresh layer beneath. You will emerge refreshed, healthy, buffed and glowing.

My feet was like a baby after the half-hour treatment ... and I will be coming back for more :)