After bumblebees up your bum and ants in your pants (thanks, Iota!), we are now moving on to fishes on your feet. In case you have been lucky enough to stroll around Selfridges during Christmas time, you (most likely hot, flushed and staggering like a packhorse under the weight of your shopping) cannot have missed the line of blissfully relaxed-looking customers, seemingly oblivious to the frantic madness around them. You also might have realised that their feet were lowered into square shaped, gently illuminated water tanks filled with little… fish. At this point, you might have shrieked.

I admit I was a tiny bit weary when Aqua Sheko – the company behind the Selfridges pop up shop and also the first London fish spa – invited me to dip my toes into their crystal clear waters. But because I am no chicken when it comes to trying new beauty treatments, I agreed and booked myself in.

When the suction-cup mouths of about 40 little (apparently hungry) fishy fellows mobbed my feet all at once, I squealed out loud. If you are ticklish at all, this is borderline torture. The urge to lift my legs and run was a tough one to resist. I spent the first five minutes trying hard to compose myself (i.e. not slip off the seat, plunge into the tank and/or wee my pants laughing); but after that the bliss set in and the whole thing soon started to resemble a very gentle massage.

The toothless Garra Rufa fish only nibble off dead skin, revealing fresh, healthy and supple skin underneath. My treatment was completed by a heavenly, reflexology-inspired foot massage (by the very human and very lovely therapist Ally), leaving me ready for sandal season. All in all: very recommendable.

Aqua Sheko, Prices start at £17 for hands and £27 for feet, Venues in Kensington and Soho