More than just fishy business

The fish eating your dead skin away is just the trailer before a heavenly experience when you get a head and back reflexology treatment done at the Kenko Reflexology & Fish Spa

More than just fishy business

The fish eating your dead skin away is just the trailer before a heavenly experience when you get a head and back reflexology treatment done at the Kenko Reflexology & Fish Spa

If you shudder and imagine creepy crawlies going up and down your spine at the thought of tiny fish attacking your feet every time you sink your feet into a tank full of water at a fish spa, then there might be some good news for you. At the Kenko Spa outlet at Garuda Mall, you have the choice of unleashing little fish on your hands instead.

The Fish Spa for Hands is a brand new service introduced at this outlet especially for those people who are ticklish in their foot, just like this reviewer. To be honest the idea of hundreds of fish attacking feet was akin to the feeling of chalk squeaking on the blackboard or nails against a wall for us. So, it was with a lot of trepidation that we agreed to go with the Fish Spa for Hands. We were welcomed with a cup of herbal tea while we waited for our turn at the reception area of Kenko which is done up in an Oriental style complete with bamboo, traditional fish shaped lamps, dark wood, bamboo plants and a whiff of fresh lemongrass in the air.

We were taken into an inner room that housed squeaky clean glass tanks full of fish. Our hands were cleaned first with warm water and then enzymes were sprayed on them to sterilise them before we dipped my hands in the water as fodder for the fish. The fish known as Doctor Fish live in the water between a temperature of 27 and 30 degree centigrade and are fed at night, during the day dead skin is what they relish.

This treatment, which has its origins from Turkey, comprise fishes who have no teeth, so all they do is nibble your dead skin away. The idea is not only to exfoliate the dead skin without any scrubbing but also to activate the nerve endings in your feet and hands so that it stimulates your cells and make you feel relaxed and rejuvenated.

As soon as we dipped my hands in, the fish attacked, nibbling away at it. We went for the ten-minute-long treatment, you could opt for up to half an hour. We must confess that for the first few minutes, we had the horrible sensation of things creeping up our hands and the steady pace of nibbling made us feel like we were being eaten up slowly but soon the feeling reduced as we could sort of swat the fish away when we needed a break. For beginners, we would suggest trying out this treatment for ten minutes first before going for a longer time. Once our time was up, we removed my hands and cleaned it with water and hoping that all our dead cells were gone forever.

We were made to change into comfortable white cloth slippers and taken into a dark inner room only lit up by fairy lights for a head and back reflexology massage. Soothing music greeted our ears as we were led to a chair and made to lean back and the masseur began his head reflexology service, which he followed up with a back massage session for about 45 minutes. The masseur started by giving me an intense head massage where he worked on my scalp and nerve points all over the head gradually working his way down the nape of my neck. The best thing about reflexology is the fact that you don't have to take off your clothes and neither is there any kind of oil massage involved.

After the head session we were made to sit on a chair specially designed for back massages where we leaned forward and the masseur got working on the back along the spine down to the base of it. This according to us was the best part of the session because as the therapists unknotted our muscles slowly by kneading away, we felt relaxed and even felt somewhat sleepy.

Kenko also offers Ear Candling, a treatment we did not have the stomach to try but was assured that it is indeed good for one's well being. A candle is inserted in your ear and the end outside is burnt, the smoke from the candle activates your nerve points around the ear and relaxes you. Swedish and Balinese massages, nail art, manicures and pedicures are also on the cards for the future. The Kenko chain of reflexology spas started in Singapore in 1991 by Dr Jimi Tan is already looking at starting its fourth outlet in the city.

Where Kenko Reflexology & Fish Spa, 5th Floor Garuda Mall, Magrath Road, No 36, Vittal Mallya Road & 1st floor Pyramid Food Court, Embassy Golf Links, Business Park, off Intermediate Ring Road
Call 41148734/42070303/41490309
For Rs 190 for a ten minute long Fish Spa for Hands and Rs 800 for Head & Shoulder Reflexology Combo for 45 minutes