Garra Rufa Fish Therapy
The Fish Spa business has hit KL in a big way! It started off with the Kenko Fish Spa in The Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and it was just a matter of time when trendy Bangsar has a fish spa of its own – Garra Rufa Fish Therapy.
I was in Bangsar last weekend and decided to pop in for a quick look. It’s located in one of the ground floor shop units and is beautifully done up in lots of muted lighting and wood panelling. I had a chat with the owner behind the counter and understood that their fish are slightly different from those used in Kenko. The fish used in the Garra Rufa Fish Therapy are actual Garra Rufa fish (or Doctor Fish) from the rivers of Turkey. They are tiny little fish renowned for their unique abilities to eat away dead skin to reveal healthy, new and glowing skin. It is a good treatment for those who suffer from psoriasis or eczema and over time is said to cure these patients completely of their ailments. According to the owner, the secret of the Garra Rufa lies in their saliva which contains a certain enzyme that is good for the skin!
I was rather puzzled as both Kenko and this spa claim to use Garra Rufa fish yet their fish were both very different! The fish in Kenko Fish Spa were broader and resembled tiny tilapias while those in Garra Rufa Fish Therapy were long and slender and resembled tiny catfish. I googled it up and was surprised to see that pictures of the Garra Rufa matched the little fish used in the Bangsar spa! I wonder what fish Kenko Fish Spa is using then!
I personally prefer the ambiance of the Garra Rufa Fish Therapy over the Kenko Fish Spa. Where the latter is brightly lit, the former has muted lights with lots of wooden flooring with cushions for people to relax on while enjoying their fish therapy. I also find the place chic and upmarket with very friendly staff whilst the Kenko staff tend to be a little impersonal.
Naturally, such pampering and treatment will come with a price! The Garra Rufa Fish Therapy retails for the following prices at the location below:
RM38 for 30 minutes
RM72 for 60 minutes
Open Daily from 10am – 10pm
Garra Rufa Fish Therapy
No. 4 Jalan Telawi
Bangsar Baru
59 100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603 2287 5518
Web: www.garrarufafishtherapy.com
Email: info at garrarufafishtherapy.com
May 12th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
i would like to do more research on this topic!
PE says: Do, the results might be interesting!
July 7th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
I would like to know if there are any spas in the US who use Garra Ruffa fish therapy.
PE says: Hi Lee, thanks for dropping by. I’m sorry I can’t help you as I’m not sure.
July 15th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Hi, i would like to have ur opinion on which is better for me to get treatment: Kenko Fish Spa or Garra Rufa Fish Therapy? Its my 1st time so i would really appreciate ur opinion..the prices are the same for both places right? do i need to make an appointment before going there? thanks!
PE says: Hi, based on my personal experience, I would recommend the Garra Rufa Fish Therapy. I’m not sure how busy they are now as they were relatively new when I went there but it would be best to make an appointment. Their prices are rather similar. Hope it helps
July 29th, 2008 at 8:15 am
Where can I purchase this little doctors for my own private spa for my family? Around KL…
July 30th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Hi, I’m not really sure about that. Perhaps you could try checking with the fish spas in KL
March 7th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Latest price at Garra Rufa Fish Therapy
RM30 for 30 minutes
RM60 for 60 minutes
Enjoy all!!