Laser technology is an effective treatment for toenail fungus. It is especially effective for severe cases. Toenail fungus may appear as a thickening, discoloration, and alteration in the shape of the nail.  Some report pain and discomfort in the nail.

Patients need to seek treatment for the affected toe as quickly as possible to avoid the risk of infecting another nail.

This technique uses a unique wavelength that destroys the fungus. The energy passes through the affected nail without harming the surrounding skin and tissues. Once the treatment is completed, it could take 12-18 months for the nail to regrow and look normal. Some popular lasers treating this condition are Genesis Plus, Pin-Point, Noveone, and Lunula.

The procedure takes around 30 minutes. It is painless, with patients reporting only slight warmth or pinprick sensations. Patients will have to remove any nail varnish on the toes a day before the treatment. As the laser cannot safely remove all the fungal tissue in one treatment, multiple sessions might be necessary over several months to remove all the fungus.

Over a few months, a new nail will grow from the proximal healthy nail to replace the infected nail.  Patients can use topical antifungal medication in conjunction with laser treatments for maximum results. Topical products on their own take a longer time to treat fungal infections, almost a year and must be applied twice a day religiously. There are oral medications on the market used to treat fungal infections; however, they can harm the liver, so they are not recommended for everyone.