Treatments · Laser & hair removal

Laser for nail fungus

Laser inside the nail plate as cosmetic support for diagnosed onychomycosis. The diagnosis is your doctor’s, and so is the prescription.

How it worksHeat generated by laser inside the nail plate, where topical treatments do not reach.

On consultationagreed at the assessment

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Rhythm: A course of sessions, with a long follow-up set by how the nail grows.
Back to normal: None: you walk out as normal.
Price: Agreed at the free assessment. Why there is no fixed price list →

What it is

Laser applied to the nail generates heat inside the nail plate, which is exactly where a cream does not reach. That heat acts on the fungus lodged under the nail. It is cosmetic support for whatever your doctor has prescribed, not a substitute for it, and not every case responds the same.

The session is short, usually well tolerated, and done on the nail itself without touching the surrounding skin. It is worked in sessions because the nail needs to grow for the healthy part to replace the affected one.

And something that has to be said plainly: onychomycosis is an infection and its diagnosis is medical. Not every yellow or thickened nail is fungus — there is trauma, psoriasis and other causes. If a doctor has not confirmed it, that consultation comes first.

Who it is for

Onychomycosis already diagnosed by a doctor
Anyone who, together with their doctor, has ruled out oral treatment
Thickened, discoloured toenails, with a prior diagnosis
As support for a treatment prescribed by your doctor

Better to wait, or to check first, if…

Undiagnosed nails: a doctor looks at those first
A pigmented band or patch under the nail, or a single nail changing colour for no reason: that is a dermatologist appointment, and not one to put off
Extensive infection — several nails, the nail folds, the skin of the foot — or involvement with general repercussions: that is handled medically and orally
Immunosuppression, or immunosuppressive or cancer treatment in progress, without your doctor’s assessment
Wounds, ulcers, an ingrown nail or infection of the skin around the nail
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Diabetes with foot involvement or neuropathy, without your doctor’s assessment
Significant circulatory problems in the foot
Nail psoriasis, lichen or the after-effects of a knock: those are not fungus and this is not the treatment
Photosensitising medication
Altered sensation in the area

A diabetic foot always calls for a prior medical assessment. Nothing is improvised here on that, and we do not withdraw or replace whatever your doctor has prescribed.

The session, step by step

01
Checking the nail
We look at the state of the nail and ask about the diagnosis. If there is none, you are referred before anything is done.
02
Preparation
The nail is cleaned and polish removed. If the nail is very thick, it helps to have filed it beforehand.
03
Applying the laser
The nail is covered sector by sector. It is quick.
04
Hygiene instructions
Footwear, socks and disinfection: without that, reinfection is close to guaranteed.

What it feels like

Building heat in the nail, with the odd point that burns a little more and is controlled by lowering the intensity. Most people describe it as mild discomfort, and the session is short.

Before and after

Before you come

Come with no nail polish, and no gel polish
Cut and file the nail as much as you can in the days before
Bring your medical report if you have one
Come in comfortable shoes

After the session

You can carry on completely as normal
Disinfect your footwear and change your socks daily
Cotton socks and breathable shoes
No gel polish while the treatment lasts
Be careful with pool, changing-room and shared shower floors: always flip-flops

When you see it

Nothing shows quickly here, and anyone saying otherwise is not being honest: the improvement becomes visible as the nail grows out healthy from the base, and a toenail grows very slowly. It is judged by comparing photos of the same toe taken the same way.