Lunula Laser Therapy for Fungal Nails
Fungal Nail Infections and What We Can Do To Help
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Onychomycosis or ‘Fungal Nail Infection’ is a problem that is found in 1 in 2 people from the age of 70+, and in a significant proportion of the younger population. Symptoms include an orange-brown discolouration and crumbling texture, and may include odour from the nail.
How does the podiatrist determine if a nail has onychomycosis?
- From the podiatrist’s experience.
- From patient’s medical history and current medication.
- How the nail looks and the texture of the nail.
- How the nail feels, responds to cutting or debriding.
- If necessary, we take a nail sample for culture (which takes up to two weeks).
Do we treat one foot or both feet?
There can be fungal spores on the nails, which are not always visible. As such, our advice would be to treat both feet. If there is cross contamination, there is a higher risk of the infection coming back.
How close together should the treatments be?
We like to keep the treatments close together if possible, ideally 1 week apart, and a maximum of 2 weeks apart.
After the treatment will the nails go back to ‘normal’?
The aim of the treatment is to kill off any fungal infection that is on the nail. One of the advantages of the cold laser is that it regenerates the tissue (nail and the skin underneath). However, if there is damage to the nail, there may be scar tissue underneath the nail, so we cannot confirm that this will go completely. While we expect the nail to improve, our aim is to kill off the fungal infection. The appearance will improve and the Podiatrist will be able to tell you more once they have assessed your nails.
How safe is the treatment?
There are no known side effects, protective eye wear is not needed as the laser beams are contained in the unit. There are some health conditions that would indicate proceeding with caution with this treatment, which a podiatrist can discuss with you at your appointment.
What is the success rate?
The treatment is 80-90% effective based on a recent clinical case study of 500 patients. We believe our clinics results are even higher than this as we base the number of treatments given to a patient on the severity of the infection so we can achieve better results by offering more treatments should they be required.
A recent 18 month case study involving 500 people has taken place. There was a split of patients with varying degree of severity. All of the patients were given 4 treatments over a 4 week period and reviewed at agreed stages along the way. At the last meeting the review showed that the effectiveness of the treatment was 80-90%.
Why would the treatment not work?
If you have a poor immune system, for example if you are taking steroids or have a condition that causes immunosupression, you may need more treatments. Also, if you are not carrying out the preventative measures that we recommend, this may also prevent the treatment from working.
Who cannot be treated?
People undergoing any sort of cancer treatment or anyone who has had a malignant tumour on the part of their body going into the laser (i.e. hand or foot) or patients with active infection or sunburn on the area being treated (hand or foot).
Can I be treated if I am pregnant?
We do not carry out treatment on pregnant people. During any research on a product like this, pregnancy is an exclusion criteria. Whilst we do not believe this would cause any harm, we do not have the research to back it up and therefore would not wish to carry out the treatment. Furthermore, pregnancy weakens the immune system so it is likely that extra sessions would be required to give a satisfactory result.
Treatment Plans
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£67.50 consultation charge.
Regardless of the extent of infection all clients will undergo the 4 treatment plan for both feet priced at £750, at weekly intervals.
Included in the package are 4 review appointments which will be carried out on a monthly basis following the 4 lunula treatments.
After the review appointments have been completed we suggest that either photos are emailed to us on a monthly basis or if preferred a mini appointment can be made so that the Podiatrists can evaluate and treat the nails making sure no new infection has emerged
If it is found that new infection has occurred then a top up treatment will be required at an additional £68
Prices quoted above are INCLUSIVE or the following:
- Pre-treatment NAIL-REDUCTION (thinning) and PREPARATION – enhances treatment and can rapidly improve nail appearance.
- FREE starter pack including SIDAS UV Drywarmer units to support your treatment AND help you stay fungus free (please note that this requires a 10amp USB plug for use)
- FREE Klenz Footwear Sanitization (kills infection-causing fungus present in footwear thereby reducing risk of reinfection (Worth £20)
*Please note, all above treatments available for hands too.
Optional Extras
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Nail Test for Fungal Infection
£42
Post-Treatment Check – Photo Assessment Only
FREE
Post-Treatment Check – Appointment – Nail Tidy
£25
Booster Laser Treatment – Both hands/feet
£60
Klenz Shoe Sanitisation
£5/pair
After Treatment
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What happens after the 4 Lunula Laser Treatment Plan if further treatments are needed?
If top up treatments are required, this is charged at £65 per session, and can include nail reduction if required. We would advise waiting at least 3 months following the initial treatment prior to top-up treatments to monitor the new nail growth.
Preventing re-infection
A big toe nail can take up to 18 months to grow out fully and if there are fungal elements within the nail base it may take a few months for that discolouration to appear and subsequently grow out.
Although the lasers are an excellent tool, the success of treatment is dependent upon patient co-operation with ongoing maintenance of their foot health.
As the majority of Fungal nail infections are initiated by the presence of Athletes foot, it is imperative that all steps are taken to prevent re-infection.
In order to help achieve this we encourage patients to bring in their shoes in order for them to be disinfected whilst they are undergoing treatment; to use an anti-fungal cream on any apparent Athletes foot; and to wash socks, bedsheets, towels, bathmats, and any other fabric that is regularly in contact with the skin at 60 degrees and with Napisan to reduce the fungal load to the fabric.
If any more of the medicaments are required during the treatment process, they are available to purchase at clinic.
Although the visible signs of Onychomycosis may only be apparent on one or two nails, the fungal spores are likely to have impregnated multiple nails, and therefore treatment of all ten toes is generally recommended.
Prior to treatment
Before any laser treatment is carried out it is essential that the Podiatrist is aware of any medication and medical conditions that the patient is taking or suffering from. Nail polish must be fully removed prior to treatment.
After Treatment
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For more information or to book an appointment, please get in touch below.