Last winter, we told you about a weird new procedure that was almost sure to be the next obsession of the cosmetology industry: fish pedicures. The process, in which tiny carp -- aka "doctor fish" -- nibble at the dead skin on your feet for half an hour, leaving your feet looking soft and fresh, has since been fighting an uphill battle against state regulators.

State cosmetology boards around the country can't seem to make their minds up on the topic of whether this seemingly disgusting trend is safe or not. Thus far, 14 state boards have banned the procedure outright, saying it's not sanitary.

For the most part, it seems like most boards just can't get over the ick factor. Ohio's state board, on the other hand, decided to allow the procedure after ophthalmologist Marilyn Huheey took the fish pedicure for a test drive.

"It seemed to me it was very sanitary, not sterile of course," Dr. Huheey says. "Sanitation is what we've got to live with in this world, not sterility."

For whatever weird reason (the novelty factor, maybe?) it seems clear that fish pedicures would be a hit. But the decision by some boards to ban the flesh-eating fish is hitting some pioneering cosmetologists in the wallet. The fate of those who went out and purchased fish and aquariums now rests on state boards to decide whether or not they can unleash the fish on your feet.

Says one New Hampshire state board official: "there's no way to sanitize them unless you bake them for 20 minutes at 350 degrees."

[via TheCut]