Laser Toenail Fungus Removal

Laser toenail fungus removal is a fairly new method to treat toenail fungus. Introduced to the medical field in the mid-2000s and approved by the FDA in 2010, laser toenail fungus treatment uses a laser beam to penetrate the infected nail and destroy the affected tissue — without damaging the healthy skin and tissue that surrounds it. It has become a popular treatment method for fungal infections of the nails, as the condition (also called onychomycosis and tinea unguium) can be extremely difficult to eradicate. 

Initial studies done on laser toenail fungus removal methods show that the painless process — which usually only takes one session to complete — has a clinical response rate of 87%. However, because no studies have been done on the long-term effects of the method, it is still considered an experimental treatment. 

Another drawback of laser toenail fungus removal is that the process can be quite expensive. Toenail fungus removal lasers like the Cutera GenesisPlus and the PinPointe FootLaser have a high price tag, so medical facilities pass on the costs of the lasers to patients, who can pay anywhere from $600 to $1500 for a single laser session. 

People who suspect they have onychomycosis should consult with a podiatrist or a dermatologist about the condition. Toenail fungus is a tenacious disease and should be dealt with as soon as possible.