Toenail fungus is a condition which affects many more people than you may think. As a matter of fact, about 1 in 15 individuals in the UK have the condition, and it most often affects men rather than women. If you have been dealing with toenail fungus for years and have tried everything you can think of, from oral treatments to topical treatments, without any good results, there is one solution which may be the best option for your condition: laser treatment. Laser treatment for nail fungus has proven to be a very effective form of treatment, and it is virtually painless, has no side effects, and has no required recovery period either. But if you are thinking of having laser treatment for nail fungus, what do you need to know about it? Here’s your essential guide to laser nail fungus treatment: what it can do and what you can expect.
- How laser treatment works for onychomycosis
Nail fungus is also called onychomycosis, and the results for laser treatment for onychomycosis are very promising indeed. Fundamentally speaking, a laser device is used by the specialist to emit a pulse of energy which will produce heat in the nail tissues. When the fungal or mould cells absorb the heat from the laser, they will be terminated or killed. The energy from the laser penetrates the nail and goes into the nail bed underneath, where the fungus is often present. Since the laser has the ability to penetrate through the nail, it can effectively deal with the fungus, thus allowing for more thorough, lasting results.
You should know that there are different laser brands which clinics make use of today, and each brand will have a different method for the treatment of nail fungus. In general, however, the laser uses heat energy in order to eliminate the fungus or mould. The specialist may also use laser pulses or different wavelengths to help minimise the heating of the skin, which makes the procedure painless. Whilst you may feel a slightly warm sensation whilst the laser is being used, this quickly goes away once the laser moves.
- What you can expect from the treatment
The first assessment and consultation for laser nail fungus treatment will often involve an evaluation of the condition, and it may also include the filing of the nail. A patch test may also be done to confirm your suitability for the treatment, and once the results are good, then treatment can begin. The technician will move the laser over the affected nail(s), and a typical session can last from 12 to 20 minutes, depending on the number of nails which need treatment.
Some patients may have success after only a single treatment, although some additional sessions may be prescribed based on the results. Bear in mind, though, that once you go through treatment, the clearing of the nail may not be evident right away – it may take about 6 to 12 months for the nail to grow out, and this is when you will be able to see the results more clearly.
As already mentioned, there are many benefits brought by laser treatment for nail fungus. It’s painless, it’s fast, and a few treatments may be enough to address the problem and deliver successful results, compared to topical or oral treatments which may take more than a few treatments without any credible effects.
To read more on topics like this, check out the health category.
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