Treatment for toenail fungus is safe and effective. It’s fast, painless…and takes less than 10 minutes per treatment.
Toenail fungus affects nearly 25 million people around the United States, alone. The toenail fungus causes the toenail to be very hard, thick and turn yellow. If you have a fungus infection and you are thinking about different treatments, there are a few options:
- Not having treatment and living with the condition.
- The use of liquid antifungals such as prescription Penlac which reports a 7% cure rate and 44% improvement rate.
- The use of prescription oral Lamisil which reports up to a 66% success rate with need for blood tests to monitor for possible liver damage.
- Laser treatment with no side-effects.
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FAQs About Toenail Fungus Laser Treatment
Below are Frequently Asked Questions that may be helpful and answer some of your questions and concerns.
How does the laser treatment work?
Our doctors use a Q-Switched NdYAG laser which is one of the most advanced dermatologic lasers currently available. In 3-10 billionths of a second, impulses of high power laser energy pass through the nail to the nail bed and nail growth area with typically no damage to the nail or surrounding skin. At the time of the procedure, no visible change is seen until the nail begins to grow out. In a few months, a more normal nail is expected to appear with complete regrowth of the nail taking up to 9-12 months.
What is the recovery period?
No post treatment pain has been reported. You may resume all normal activities immediately. If you have any problems or questions, please contact our office.
Is the procedure painful?
Most people do not feel any pain. Some patients may experience slight warmth or occasional snapping sensation during the procedure. If you have any pain during the procedure, the laser power can be decreased slightly to eliminate any pain. No anesthesia is needed.
How long does the procedure take?
The amount of time varies on the degree of involvement of the nails. Very thick nails are mechanically reduced to a more normal thickness with specialized equipment. The laser is then applied typically taking only a few minutes. Overall, a visit for consultation and treatment will usually take about 30 minutes.
Can the nail not improve?
The Q-Clear™ Laser is FDA approved and shown to be safe and effective. The nail is expected to improve with just one treatment. Clinical reports to date have been encouraging with most patients noticing significant improvement. As with all medical procedures, a 100% guarantee is not possible. In a randomized 3-12 month study of 100 subjects, significant nail plate clearance was observed in more than 95% of the subject cases with an mean clearance of greater then 56% of the (abnormal or affected) regions. Changing socks and shoes frequently and controlling excessive perspiration are helpful in preventing recurrence.
Can I polish my nails or have a pedicure?
You can apply polish to the nail immediately after the laser treatment. However, it is important to remove all nail polish prior to your treatment.
Is the laser treatment covered by my health insurance?
No, the procedure is considered cosmetic, and is not covered by health insurance.
How much does laser treatment cost?
The cost varies depending on the number of nails involved and severity of the infection. The national average cost for laser treatment is $500 to $1200. However, since our practice offers the most state-of-the-art laser equipment, we can provide the most effective treatment in less time and at a reduced cost, which is from $300 to $900. A consultation is required to determine if you are a good candidate for laser treatment. The cost is based on the number of nails with obvious involvement and includes a year of treatment (three quarterly treatments). Any future visits, outside of the first year, will be at a reduced rate (if any charge).