Nail Fungus Laser Treatment
Nail fungus infection is difficult to eliminate because the fungus grows under the nail plate in the nail bed. Topical medications have unpredictable success rate depending on severity of condition. Oral drug therapy is effective in about 70-79% percent of cases; However, there are potential side effects from the medication, including liver toxicity.
Do your toenails appear yellow, brittle or thickened?
Then perhaps you suffer from a toenail infection, a condition that will continue to worsen over time if measures are not taken to stop the infection. Pain in your toenails might be an end result. Toenail infections can be caused by heavy foot perspiration, poor shoe/sock ventilation or walking barefoot in damp areas such as a gym or locker room. In the past, the only solution for unsightly toenail infections was to surgically remove the nail and apply topical treatments, many topical agent such as Jublia and Kerydin are either non-covered by insurance or have high copay.
Lasers are the latest treatment for your ugly unsightly toenail infections.
The Q-Clearlaser treatment can be an effective and efficient therapy to get rid you o of unsightly fungus toenail infection. The mid-infrared laser wavelength penetrates the nail and the nail bed, eliminating the destructive infection. This allows your own body to revitalize the nail naturally as it grows out clean clear and healthy.
Our doctors use a Q-Clear 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
How Do We Get Started?
Schedule an appointment with AFAC where we’ll assess your needs and talk about the Q-Clear Laser therapy process. We’ll answer any questions you have and show you photos of the typical results you can expect. When you’re ready, we’ll schedule a quick in-office treatment and you’re on your way to new nails.
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 than 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. Our fees range between $200 and $650. A follow up visit is included to check progress
Before and after
Interested in learning more about fungus nail therapy ? Call Salem Roads Foot & Ankle Specialist in Salem, VA at (540) 982-0253