Experts in Laser & Aesthetics

In-Depth Consultations

Over 25 Years Experience

5* Treatment & Service

Finance Available

Friendly & Experienced Staff

Fungal Nail Infection

Fungal Nail Infections (Onychomycosis) are a very common complaint. Over 10 million people in the UK and 700 million people worldwide suffer from them. Onychomycosis affects men more than it does women and is more common as you get older.

Most fungal nail infections cause merely cosmetic complaints with most sufferers reporting unsightly and embarrassing changes. The infected nail becomes thickened, discoloured (yellow) and often crumbly, it becomes impossible to cut down and takes on a unique odour.

If left untreated, fungal nail infections can be very painful in shoes and can cause corns down the outside of the nail. In some cases the infected nail can lift from the end of the toe, debris can collect under the it, altering the curvature of the nail.

Fungal Nail Treatment - Laserlife Clinic London

The causes of nail fungus infection are numerous, and a combination of the most common causes usually leads to infected nails, whether that is toenails or fingernails that have the fungal infection. Nails with damage to the nail plate and the seal at either end of the nail are most at risk from fungal nail infection. Also, a common skin infection known as athletes foot, usually present between the toes, then invades the nail and causes the fungus problem.

Foot fungus thrive upon the conditions in the shoe and 30% of people complaining of fungal toenail infection also suffer from athletes foot infection.

The hot sweaty environment found in the shoe are ideal for the fungi to grow and to spread on the toenails. Fungal infections are caused primarily by dermatophytes, candida and various yeasts and moulds found in these conditions.

Serious medical conditions such as poor circulation and diabetes can lead to worsening conditions and occasionally a secondary bacterial infection. Use of common towels, walking barefoot on contaminated surfaces and the use of non-sterile equipment for toenail cutting and filing can cause the nail fungus infection.

Common symptoms of Fungal Nail Infections include:

Thickened Nail
Nail Discolouration (White, Black, Yellow or Green)

The Duetto Evo Nd:Yag laser, which we use actually targets the pigment within the fungus. As the pigment within the fungus absorbs the pulsed light energy a rapid increase in temperature occurs, denaturing the fungus and getting to the source of the problem immediately.

The micro pulses of light from the ND Yag laser pass through the toenail to the fungus underneath, targeting the fungus without causing any damage to the surrounding nail or skin.

We allocate half an hour for your appointment and the laser treatment usually takes 15-20 minutes to complete.

 

All the clinical studies involving laser treatment for fungal nail infection have always treated all ten nails. This is to reduce the chance of cross infection and to maximise the chance of treatment success.

On occasion we have departed from the manufactures protocols and treated a single nail. We have found such treatments ineffective, resulting in high rates of treatment failure.

We would now rather not treat you at all than accept a reduced fee for the treatment of one or two nails.

The only exception to this policy is for finger nails. Fingernails are not close packed in dark moist environments and as such the risk of cross infection is negligible.

Toe nails particularly, as they are tightly packed in socks and shoes, are a high risk for fungal spores spreading.

Steps should definitely be taken to avoid re-infection, this is because the infection can return if the fungus or athlete’s foot infection is able to gain access to the nail or foot.

It is worth remembering that the athlete’s foot infection is part of the same family of infection that causes fungal nail infection. Therefore if your shoes harbour the athlete foot spores you are likely to re-infect your nails. We suggest that you regularly apply anti-fungal creams or sprays and that you should avoid walking barefoot in wet public areas and that you should dry and decontaminate your shoes regularly with a good, effective shoe sanitiser.

1 treatment for both Feet £159

2 treatments for both feet £300

6 treatments for both feet £650

10 treatments for both feet £999

Treatment sessions are typically spaced around 4-8 weeks apart.

Treatment Information:
How many treatments needed?
3-10
Price per session from:
£159
Finance payment option:
1-4%
Treatment time in minutes:
15-20
SKIN ANALYSIS
Skin Analysis Events

Every three months we hold a Skin Analysis Event at Laserlife Clinic with The Visia Skin Camera, The events are free for existing clients.

Prices:
Who does the treatment:

Lizzie

"Laserlife Clinic has such a fantastic philosophy and the products and lasers all really work. I now have 17 years' experience in aesthetics and can't wait for another 17!"

Georgia

"I love to see how happy my clients are with their results after a course of treatment."

Dr Olga - Laserlife Clinic London

Dr Olga

Doctor

Dr Olga is with us every Tuesday and has her own price list, see price list on her team member page.

Laser Fungal Nail Treatment - The Process

You will attend clinic for a consultation with our practitioner to have the condition of your nails assessed. At this point we will take you through the benefits of the procedure and ensure you are a suitable candidate. It is at this point your practitioner will be able to advise you how many treatments you may require, depending on the condition of your nails and the degree of infection present.

They’ll assess your skin type for suitability, for either Alexandrite wavelength or the ND-YAG M wavelength laser hair removal. Both methods provide long-lasting results for hair removal.

Alexandrite is the Gold standard treatment for laser hair removal which goes to more depth and intensity to destroy the hair follicle, which means it’s more suitable for a light skin type.

ND-YAG wavelength is often the more suitable laser hair removal treatment for darker skin. Darker skins have a higher level of melanin, the pigment that gives the skin its Colour, so it absorbs the light at a faster rate than light colored skin. 

Your practitioner will explain any risks and conduct a patch test on the treatment area. You’ll then need to wait 24 hours before starting your treatment, so we can make sure that you have not had an adverse reaction in the area we’ve tested.

If your patch test is satisfactory, you can book your next appointment, at which your practitioner will recommend a personalized treatment plan and, if you feel ready to go ahead, start the course of laser hair removal. 

Remember – you can discuss every aspect of your laser hair removal treatment with no obligation to go ahead. Our practitioners are extremely knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions you have. 

Following your consultation, treatment will be scheduled for you. Treatment appointments last around 20 minutes, with the actual application on the laser to the nails being just a few minutes meaning the procedure is a quick and comfortable.

After the procedure you will be given all the necessary aftercare advice on taking care of your nails.

A follow-up appointment will be scheduled for around 8 weeks post treatment. Toenails tend to grow around 1mm per month, so after 8 weeks there will be enough new growth present to assess the effect of the treatment on the new nail growth.

When you attend your follow up the practitioner will assess your nails, and the new growth at the nail bed.

At the point it will be decided if an additional treatment is required. If so, the treatment will take place during this appointment.

This process will be repeated until the practitioner is happy that any new nail growth is healthy and infection free. At which point, you will be discharged at your final follow-up.

Most patients require 3-10  treatments, depending on the severity infection. The most severe infections may require multiple treatments.

We just recommend that you avoid doing any activities or using products that could irritate the skin in the area where you’ve been treated. You should also try to stay out of the sun apply SPF skin protection regularly.

Request A Consultation

Name*
How would you prefer to be contacted?*
What time would you like us to contact you?*
When booking, there is a charge of £25 for the therapist and £50 charge for the consultation with the doctor which is redeemable against any purchases in the clinic. By submitting this form you aggree to the above and for us to hold your details to allow for a callback.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.