Nail Fungus Treatment
Laser Treatment for nail infections
Onychomycosis, (fungal nails), also known as tinea unguium, is a fungal infection of the nail. This condition may affect toenails or fingernails, but toenail infections are particularly common.
"After the full treatment I was able to go to the swimming pool without people looking at my feet."
The CUTERA Laser for nail fungus
At 80 Watts of power this new laser is 20 times stronger than previous generation lasers for nail fungus which were rated at only 4 Watts.
The Cutera Laser is a safe and effective treatment for nail fungus:
- penetrates inside the nail where the nail fungus (dermatophytes) reside, killing the fungus instantly
- laser light passes right through the tough nail plate killing the fungus without pain or damage to the surrounding tissues.
The procedure is done onsite, in our office. Procedures usually take 10-20 minutes. They do NOT require any form of anesthesia and are painless.
Most patients will feel just minor heat generated by the laser. No pain medication is required after the procedure and you can go right back to work or any activity immediately after treatment.
In order to increase effectiveness, for one price, we offer three laser treatments for nail fungus. The second treatment is performed two months after the first, and the next treatment is performed two months later.
You will not see results right away. The laser will not change your existing nails. As the new nail grows in, it shows signs of clearing from the bottom of the nail as it grows. This usually takes 6-12 months depending on how fast individual’s nails grow.
In order to increase the chances of success, the use of topical anti-fungal medications also helps to prevent recurrence of the fungal infection.
Fingernail fungus and treatment
Fingernail fungus is a common condition that is not particularly dangerous, but it does cause a very unattractive nail appearance. The condition is sometimes referred to as onychomycosis, and involves the nail becoming more yellowish in color, sometimes crumbling and having a generally deteriorated look to it. There are a number of different treatments that are approved for fingernail fungus. One of the most popular options is laser fingernail fungus treatment. The new Cutera Laser has been approved since 2011 and is a major advancement when compared to the old PinPointe laser.
Laser fingernail fungus treatment
Laser fingernail fungus treatment is noninvasive, fast and painless. The people who have this treatment performed on the fingernail fungus usually feel a little bit of heat from the laser, but that is the only physical sensation associated with this type of treatment. The laser used for the treatment is able to penetrate the fingernail itself, which allows it to reach down into the fungus and to destroy it.
Fingernail fungus treatment sometimes makes use of oral medications but, as is the case with many pharmaceutical treatments, many individuals don’t like the idea of taking yet another prescription to treat a condition that isn’t life-threatening and that is really only cosmetic. Oral antifungals all have side effects with the most severe being liver damage. Oral medications are generally safe but require blood test to monitor for liver problems. Laser fingernail fungus treatment is more convenient and lacks the potential side effects that these pharmaceuticals carry with them.
The procedure
Part of the appeal of laser fingernail fungus treatment is the fact that it is an easy and quick procedure. Using the laser, the nail fungus can be treated very effectively, over the course of three treatments, none of which require any down time for recovery. The patient merely visits the doctor, the treatment is performed in about 15-20 minutes, and the patient is then able to return to whatever they were doing that day, including going back to work. Because there is no pain associated with this treatment, there is no recovery time.
Results
Successful fingernail fungus treatment can drastically reduce and even eliminate the symptoms of onychomycosis. This means that the fingernail returns to its healthy appearance, having its clarity, smooth texture and strength. This also eliminates some of the issues that come with fingernail fungus, such as the characteristic crumbling, splitting and other cosmetic issues that sometimes cause people a great deal of distress about their appearance.