Laser treatment for nail fungus (onychomycosis)
Laser treatment for nail fungus (onychomycosis)
Nail fungus (Onychomycosis)
Onychomycosis, also known as nail fungus, is one of the most common nail conditions, affecting up to 10 per cent of people of all ages. This condition is more common amongst middle-aged and elderly people, mainly due to impaired blood supply to the lower limbs.
Nail fungus is most commonly caused by dermatophytes, which utilise the keratin in the nails and skin for their biological functions. The most common causes of onychomycosis are Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. In addition to these, in a significant proportion of cases, nail fungus can also be caused by Candida, including Candida albicans and non-albicans Candida species, as well as by certain types of mould.
The spread of the fungal infection can also affect the surrounding skin, leading to cracking and breaks in the skin. This creates a ‘gateway’ for bacterial infections to develop, due to the impaired barrier function and reduced immunity of the skin.
Visiting public places such as swimming pools, saunas, public showers, gyms, as well as nail salons, significantly increases the risk of contracting a fungal nail infection. Additional risk factors include wearing tight shoes, particularly those made of synthetic leather, which increase sweating of the feet, as well as injuries to the toes and nails, which are common among people who are actively involved in sport.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of laser treatment for onychomycosis?
Laser therapy is an extremely effective method for treating nail fungus, as the laser light penetrates deep into the nail plate and destroys the fungus across its entire surface. Unlike antifungal medicines, which carry a risk of dependency and the development of resistance, fungi cannot develop resistance to laser therapy.
The procedure is brief, lasting just 10–15 minutes, and does not require any prior anaesthesia, as it does not cause significant pain. Laser therapy is safe and carries no risk of side effects, making it the preferred choice for many patients. Furthermore, it delivers consistent therapeutic results, making it an effective solution for treating nail fungus.
What does the procedure involve?
The procedure for treating nail fungus with a laser consists of two stages, using a combined method involving two types of laser to achieve optimal results.
Stage One: Treatment begins with an Nd:YAG laser, which is specifically targeted at the causes of nail fungus. The laser beam passes through the surface of the nail plate and reaches the base of the nail tissue, where the fungal microorganisms are concentrated. There, the laser light is absorbed by the fungi’s pigments, converting into heat which inhibits their growth. The tissues heat up rapidly to 45 degrees Celsius, leading to the thermal destruction of the hyphae and spores, the main structural components of nail fungi.
Stage two: In this stage, a Fraxel CO₂ laser is used to create numerous microchannels in the nail plate. These channels facilitate the deep penetration of the medication, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the treatment and ensuring a deeper effect on the nail fungus.
This combination of laser technologies enables maximum results to be achieved in the treatment of onychomycosis, effectively eliminating fungal infections and promoting the regeneration of healthy nail tissue.
What is the expected effectiveness of the procedure?
Various clinical studies show that laser therapy is highly effective in treating fungal nail infections. Between 68% and 90% of patients undergoing laser treatment show significant improvement, manifested by varying degrees of clearance of the fungal infection from the nail plate. The degree of improvement depends not only on the type of fungal pathogen, but also on various local factors such as skin moisture and blood circulation. These factors play an important role in the ultimate success of the treatment and the complete recovery of the nail.
What does it feel like during the procedure?
During the laser treatment for nail fungus, you will feel intense warmth on the nail plate. As a sufficient amount of energy needs to be accumulated to effectively suppress the growth of the fungus, the procedure may take some time. This may cause some discomfort, which is why temporary breaks are taken to allow the nails and skin to cool down and return to normal. These breaks help to minimise discomfort whilst ensuring the treatment remains effective.
How many treatments are needed to achieve the best results?
The treatment of nail fungus and the number of sessions required are strictly individual and depend on the extent of the infection and the rate at which the nails grow.
To achieve optimal results from antifungal therapy, a course of around 10 treatments is usually recommended. The interval between individual treatments is 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the patient’s individual needs. After the first 4 sessions, it is often possible to reduce the frequency of treatments to one session per month. The treatment is considered successful when a new, healthy nail has grown, indicating that the fungal infection has been completely eliminated.
Is there any recurrence of the infection?
The improvement achieved during laser treatment for nail fungus must be maintained through appropriate home care. Despite the high success rate of the treatment, a complete and lasting effect cannot be guaranteed, as there are local factors that may encourage the fungus to regrow. It is therefore essential that patients follow the recommendations for nail care, such as maintaining good hygiene, avoiding moisture and wearing suitable footwear, in order to minimise the risk of re-infection.
How much does laser treatment for nail fungus (onychomycosis) cost?
For more information on the prices of laser treatments for nail fungus (onychomycosis), please see HERE, in the ‘Aesthetic Services’ section.
Before and after
