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Are fish pedicures making a comeback in Nevada?

Posted at 5:25 PM, Feb 14, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-16 00:52:37-05

Pedicures that use small fish to nibble away dead skin on someone's feet could return to Nevada.

The so-called "fish pedicures" were legal until 2008, and now, a state lawmaker wants to bring them back.

State Democratic Sen. Tick Segerblom said of the treatment, "It represents what Las Vegas is all about. It's unusual, not something that you can do most places, and thus fits with our reputation and advertising."

Fish pedicures are popular in Asia, but are illegal in most of the United States.

Gary Landry, the executive director of the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology, said the pedicures carry great risk of passing bacteria between customers.

If the bill Segerblom supports passes, the Cosmetology Board could still outlaw the treatment from salons.

Paula Sadler, the owner of A Harmony Nail Spa and Salon, told us there would be possible ways around that.

"There are certain services available in town like reflexology and foot spas that are not actually doing 'pedicures,' and so they're not governed by the State Board of Cosmetology," Sadler said.

As of yet, 13 Action News couldn't find anywhere that offered the service.

Beauty salon customers were split about whether they'd be interested in getting a fish pedicure.

Ida Santos was getting a manicure and pedicure Wednesday in Tina's Beauty Salon near Sahara Avenue and Maryland Parkway. She doesn't think fish could substitute for a trained professional, but they could be an effective gimmick for Las Vegas.

"You know how it is, when new things come in, it becomes a fad and it becomes a selling point," Santos said.

Landry said there's virtually no scenario where the cosmetology board would sign off on allowing fish pedicures.