August 22, 2007: Flesh-eating fish spa

[Undertoad]

Axlrosen suggests this item from here. No it isn't just a way to get swimsuit models on the IotD. What we have here is a spa in China, where people pay to soak in hot spring water. And in that water...

A newly emerged "fish spa" is becoming fashionable in many hot spring resorts, and has attracted even more customers, all curious about this peculiar treatment.

At such a spa, many Garra Rufa, a type of small tropical fish, also nicknamed Chinchin Yu, nibble fish or simply doctor fish, are put in hot springs. As they can live and swim freely in at least 43-degree-hot waters, they are naturally used for the treatment of skin diseases in such spas.

When placed in the spa, these fish can feed themselves on the dead cells of the human body, since they only consume such cells, leaving the healthy skin of the human body to grow. The whole process is reportedly free of pain. It won't hurt and the bather might feel a pleasant tingling on his or her skin.

Well, I think I would wear the tightest bathing suit possible.