If you are unlucky enough to suffer with toenail fungus, a course of laser treatments could well be the answer. Laser toenail fungal treatment could well be the answer to your prays!! There are various approved different types of laser devices designed for the treatment of toenail fungus or onychomycosis, which is a fungal nail infection that often can cause changes in the appearance and or texture of the toenail.
At Pro Clinics in Bristol, we have been successfully treating toenail fungal infections for a number of years using a powerful Q Switched Nd Yag laser. Some of the changes that may well occur, are usually gradual but often tend to worsen over the course of time, can include:
- Discoloration of the nail which is often yellow, white, or brown
- Crumbly debris underneath or on top of the nail
- A detachment of the toenail from the toe
- Thickening of the toenail and or a change in texture
- Changes in the shape of the nail, like an increase in the toenails curvature
Historically the most effective way of treating fungal nails has been prescription by a doctor of oral antifungal medications, as these have been clinically proven to be more effective at thoroughly clearing out the infection than topical antifungal treatments.
Sadly though, oral antifungal medications are often not an option for a lot of people because of their adverse nasty side effects and potential interactions with other medications that someone may be taking at the same time. Given the fact that toenail fungal infection is such a highly common problem with no readily available and easy cure, newer Nd Yag laser treatment options have generated a huge amount of interest for people suffering from this nasty and often embarrassing condition. Now that Nd Yag laser treatment is growing in popularity it is now possible to find a private clinic offering the service near you. Many people are left wondering how this treatment option compares to oral and topical medications that are prescribed by a GP.
Different types of laser devices are used for the treatment and prevention of toenail fungal conditions, which means that early studies have shown evidence of partial or total clearing of toenail fungus symptoms. This is great news for people who are suffering with this condition, although sadly there is a possibility that the infection could well occur again at a later date. However, with any successful laser treatment of toenail fungal treatment — whether it’s oral medications prescribed by a GP or topical medications, or laser, there is always a risk that the infection could again return at some point in the future.
So far the results of our efforts have shown very promising results for our Nd Yag laser toenail fungal treatment. Pro Clinics in Clifton, Bristol, have around an 80{f1dc52713b717146297c360d87e9dae2011db7316e64ae6707d71ba8b1aca4e0} success rate for the treatment of toenail fungal infection. Since Q Switched Nd Yag laser treatment of toenail fungus is a relatively new procedure, more studies are needed to get an idea of how it compares to other treatments.
How Does A Q Switched Nd Yag Laser Treat Toenail Fungus?
Our laser device emits a very quick pulse of energy that passes safely through the nail and starts to destroy the bacteria that is living below the nail and is the cause of the fungal infection.
It is important to ensure that the nail is as thin as possible before starting laser treatment, as if the nail is too thick the treatment will not be successful. It is often possible to file the nail yourself before a laser toenail fungal treatment, although if the nail is too thick to do this effectively then it may be wise to enlist the help of a professional who will probably do a better job!
The laser energy penetrates safely through the toenail, to the nail bed underneath where the fungus is also likely also present.
As previously mentioned, there are many different types of laser and they all use slightly different technology to treat the problem. Although in general, the end game is to use heat energy fired from the laser to eliminate and destroy the toenail fungal infection. By By using the lasers specific wavelengths helps to reduce the heating of the patient’s skin, which is a very good thing, as this has the added advantage of making the procedure almost pain-free. Some patients have reported that there may be a slight pulsing sensation or a heating of the nail, although this is often not painful, just slightly uncomfortable.
What Should I Expect With Laser Fungal Nail Treatments?
At Pro Clinics, the initial consultation for laser fungal nail treatment will involve a careful evaluation of the patients specific nail symptoms and checking the thickness of the nail as previously mentioned. Once this is done, if the client is happy to proceed, the technician will start the laser which will then be maneuvered over any affected nails. Often the laser will also be passed over nails that do not appear to be infected, as there is still a chance that there may be some infection that is not visible to the eye. Each session is very quick and often only takes a few minutes each time. Most people will require three sessions spaced a month apart.
Occasionally clients will have success with just one treatment, although additional treatments are often required depending on the results. It is important to note that the treatment will not clear the nail immediately, as laser fungal treatment is a very slow and gradual process. It is not unusual for a nail to take up to 12 months until the nail grows out to determine if the treatment has been successful or not.
The cost of laser fungal nail treatment at Pro Clinics is a lot more affordable than many other clinics, with prices starting from just £50 per session for hand / foot. When you consider how much a paint on product that is often noneffective, it really is well worth trying!