Nail Fungus Laser Treatment FAQ
How does it work?
The Laser's patented design shines a high powered laser light into the nail and heats the fungus without damage to the nail or surrounding skin. The nail does not instantly change, but should grow out clear and free of fungus over the next 6-9 months, some people take a little longer. You may notice a visible change in 3-4 months.
Is there a recovery period?
Not in the sense of a typical surgery. There is typically no pain after treatment, typically activity and shoes as usual.
How long does the procedure take?
The laser procedure itself takes about 15-30 minutes depeding on degree of infection. Changing lasers has greatly enhanced duration of treatment.
When can I paint my nails?
You can apply polish immediately after the treatment, however, we advise to wait, and to use our recommended topical medication, Formula 3, and then once the condition is improving or resolved to use a treated nail polish like our Dr.'s Remedy nail polish.
What do I need to do before I come in for the procedure?
Remove any nail polish or nail decorations the day before, bring in your payment method, you may want to bring in your iPod or MP3, favorite book, to help you relax and then relax!
Are all toenails treated even if there is only one that appears infected?
Some doctors recommend this techinque. This is an area that you will have to talk with your doctor about and decide together what treatment is best for you. It is not wrong as the infection could be in any number of nails, but not yet visibly seen. Fungus lives on your skin and nails even though some of the nails look clear. Success may be improved by treating the pathogens around and under all the nails. It can be quite frustrating to spend the money and time on treating 1 or 2 nails and then see them get reinfected due to surrounding fungus.
Will the fungus come back?
The fungus in the nails is killed after the appropriate treatment protocol which can be multiple treatments, however, the doctor typically recommends ongoing home care techniques to reduce recurrence of the infection as this bug lives all around us.
Is the procedure covered by insurance?
Not at this time. You may use your Health Savings Account or Medical IRA. In most situations this procedure is considered aesthetic and not covered by insurance plans. We will not bill your insurance for the procedure.
How much does the procedure cost?
It depends on how many nails are involved. We recommend that you contact our office so that we can better inform you of the cost.
How do I pay for the procedure?
We accept Cash, most Credit Cards, Money Orders. Financing is available. You may also use your Medical IRA, Health Savings or Flexible Spending Account.
If I know I want to do the procedure, do I have to make a consultation visit prior to scheduling the procedure?
No. We respect your time and know that some patients will be traveling from a distance. In this situation, please understand that the doctor will still determine if you are a candidate for the procedure, answer questions and make recommendations for managing the condition.
Is it FDA cleared?
Yes, the lasers that we use are now FDA cleared for use with toenail fungus. This is yet another indication of its success.
To Schedule Your Laser Procedure Or A Free Consultation, Call 303-772-7008
Is it safe?
Yes. In clinical studies there have been no adverse reactions, injuries, disabilities or known side effects. As you may know, the use of medication available today for treatment of nail fungus carries with it possible systemic involvement (commonly the liver and kidney). This laser treatment does not, however, there are always possible risks that are unkown
Does it work?
Absolutely, it is quite impressive whent he treatment really takes hold. Some clinical studies have indicated as much as an 88% success rate with ranges from 68%-88%. In our opinion, 88% seems to be too high for a consistent number, and more realistic may be a 75-80% success rate with the average fungal nail. Unfortunately, not everyone has an average infection and so their success rate can greatly vary. What also affects our success rate is patients that elect to still do the procedure, but have very severe disease. We think it is more accurate to say that those with less infection or infection that is not under the cuticle more likely have a higher success rate, perhaps as high as 80%. We believe this is a more accurate statement, but it has come by changing lasers and educating the patient. *As a comparison, oral medication is somewhere between a 50%-70% success rate depending on who you talk to. It is not the magic bullet either.
Flatirons Laser Nail Center
2130 Mountain View Ave, #203
Longmont, CO 80501
To Schedule Your Laser Procedure Or A Free Consultation
Call 303-772-7008
Is the procedure painful?
Most people feel no pain. There is typically warmth felt and at times the nail may absorb too much heat and be painful, though brief.
