Manage your toenail fungus in our Vancouver skin care clinic
Laser For Toenail Fungus
The laser procedure for Nail Fungus requires only one or a small number of safe, quick treatments with little discomfort and is performed as an outpatient service with no anesthesia. The gentle laser light beam has no effect on healthy tissue. No drugs are used, eliminating the total-body side effects of traditional oral medications.
What Causes Toenail Fungus?
Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the toenails or, less commonly, the fingernails. Dermatophytes are the fungi most commonly responsible for causing this very common condition, which is estimated to infect at least 10% of the population worldwide. Dermatophytes are spread from person to person, and are frequently found in warm, moist environments including public pools, locker room floors, nail spas, shared towels and nail clippers. You may suffer from Onychomycosis if you have one or more of the following symptoms:
• Discolouration (yellowing, white spots, darkening, or streaking)
• Brittle, crumbly, or ragged nail
• Distorted in shape or thickened nail
• Separation from the nail bed
What is the Treatment Like?
During the procedure most patients report an increasing feeling of warmth over the nails, which resolves quickly. There are no side effects to the procedure, and patients are able to resume their normal activities immediately after the treatment.
For best results we recommend four treatments spaced approximately three weeks apart, however more severe infections may require additional treatments. Post-treatment care at home is also crucial to the success of this treatment, as it helps prevent recurrence of the fungal infection. Detailed post-treatment instructions are provided at your first treatment.
Most patients begin to see results within a few months, as the nails begin to grow out clear of fungus, revealing healthier nails. However, since toenails grow slowly, full clearance of the fungus may take 12 months or longer.
