If you’re considering laser treatments for nail fungus, make sure you read this first.
Unsightly thick, brittle, cracked, yellow nails are a common problem.
They’re caused by a fungal infection of the toenails (aka onychomycosis) which usually occurs when yeasts or a special type of fungus known as a dermatophyte worms its way into cracks in the skin around the nail and start to multiply.
Up until recently, treatment for toenail fungus has come in the form of topical treatments or tablets, but neither treatment is sure to be effective.
In addition to this, medication may take many months before it has any effect, and can come with some nasty side effects.
Fortunately there’s a revolutionary treatment just starting to make headway — nail fungus laser treatment — and it’s proving effective for large numbers of toenail fungus sufferers.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at the best at home laser treatments for nail fungus – including the most sophisticated technology on the market today.
What is Toenail Fungus Laser Treatment?
Lasers have been used to treat medical conditions since way back in the 1960s, but it’s only in the last few years that lasers have been used as a treatment for toenail fungus.
It’s a pain free, non-invasive treatment without any worrying side effects, and can either be performed by a podiatrist in a clinic or — thanks to new technology- – in the comfort of your own home.
And it kills toenail fungus within a matter of minutes.
How Does it Work?
Laser treatment for toenail fungus works by aiming a 1064nm wave-length laser at the affected area.
The laser delivers light energy to gently heat the toenail bed and kill the toenail fungus and the fungal spores that spread the fungus.
It does this by attacking the fungus in two ways; by altering the cellular metabolism of the fungus and damaging the cell components, and with a photo-chemical effect that further damages fungal cell enzymes, proteins and membranes.
In a nutshell? It literally zaps that pesky fungus out of existence.
After the laser treatment takes place and the fungus is killed it requires a little patience to see the results.
The damaged toenail needs to grow out and be replaced by a healthy, fungus free nail, which can take anything from 3 months to a year depending on how much of the toenail was affected.
Take a look at this video to see exactly what’s happening under the nail:
DIY laser treatment works a little differently.
In order to be safe, the lasers in the home devices are a pulse laser with a shorter wavelength of around 900 nm which isn’t powerful enough to heat the flesh but is still capable of penetrating beneath the surface into the skin tissue.
This is usually coupled with a blue light which works on fighting the fungus cells found on the outer surface of the nail helps to stop the fungus from affecting other toes in the area.
What Does Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus Cost?
There is a huge difference in price between laser treatment by a professional in a clinic and the price to buy a laser device for home use.
The cost varies depending on the number of nails involved and severity of the infection, with the national average cost for laser treatment varying from anywhere between $500 to $1200, which won’t be covered by medical insurance as it is considered a cosmetic treatment.
That said, most professional laser toenail fungus treatment is effective after just one session.
Laser devices for toenail fungus treatment at home cost roughly $150 to $300 — significantly less than a clinical laser treatment — but they are less effective and it may take daily sessions over a period of 3 to 6 months to successfully eradicate all traces of fungus and spores.
Of course, the big positive is that at the end of the home treatment you will be able to reuse the DIY laser at any time should the fungus reappear, and it can also be used by family members or friends.
The technology is also improving all the time.
Best At Home Laser Treatments for Nail Fungus
Knowing that home laser fungus treatment is a wallet friendly option, here’s our round up of the 5 best, safe and effective DIY laser treatments for toenail fungus…
Cure-Ex Nail Fungus Treatment Device
Reputable brand Cure-Ex combine low level laser waves and blue antibacterial light in their DIY home toenail fungus treatment device.
This combination effectively wipes out fungus and bacteria, improves blood circulation, boosts the immune system, and promotes nail regrowth.
Use the device for just 7 minutes each day to start seeing results in as quickly as 4 weeks.
Simply slot the affected nail into the palm sized machine and sit back and relax whilst the treatment takes place.
This laser for toenail fungus comes supplied with a charger.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Gives good results fast
- Can be used alongside other treatments
- Easy to use
- Requires just 7 minutes a day
Cons
- A little expensive
- Needs to be used daily for best results
HNC Nail Cleaning Fungus Treatment Laser Device
The machine has been designed to be easy to use, and we’d say it’s the most intuitive of the treatment devices on this list. Simply place the laser on the affected nail, push the button and off it goes.
The 905nm laser therapy device works on its own accord and will switch off automatically once the treatment is complete. A standard treatment lasts 7 minutes per nail.
Pros
- One of the easiest at home laser treatments to use
- Automatically treats the nail
- Simple 7-minute treatment time
- Affordably priced – excellent value
- Runs off DC power
Cons
- Promises results in “a few weeks”, but may take a couple of months for best effect
- Needs to be used daily
See our full review of the HNC Laser Treatment Device
Avance Salon and Professional Nail Fungus Treatment Machine
This advanced system for the treatment of toenail fungus uses a powerful 655nm laser to penetrate the nail and target Onychomycosis fungus to improve nail health, return thick toenails to a normal thinness, and bring back a healthy color and appearance without damaging skin cells.
It also comes supplied with a fungicidal gel to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment, plus two pairs of protective goggles to ensure eyes aren’t damaged when using the laser.
The company claims that in 77% of cases this professional level piece of kit gives visible results as quickly as 1 -2 weeks following the start of treatment.
Pros
- Comes with 1 year warranty
- Very powerful
- The most effective at-home laser treatment
- Easy to use
- Supplied with a good range of accessories
Cons
- Comparably very expensive
TippyToe Laser Nail Fungus Remover
Like the other machines in our list, this laser treatment device from TippyToe uses pulse laser radiation and blue light energy to zap away those nuisance fungus spores.
It boasts 905nm infrared cold laser light therapy and 465nm blue light for disinfection.
Once again, the machine requires 7 minutes application per nail per treatment. And you will need to use it every day to see the best results. Patience over time will pay off with the machine having a good record of eliminating fungus in fingernails, toenails, nail beds and cuticles in those who stick out the treatment.
This is a tiny piece of kit that will be suitable for anybody who travels often and needs a laser treatment device that isn’t going to take up too much space.
Pros
- Super portable and lightweight
- Quick 7 minute treatment per nail
- Easy to use
- Great for use while travelling
Cons
- Not the most solid design
- Must be used daily for best results
Which do you think is the best laser treatment for toenail fungus?
