Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail Fungus (known medically as Onychomycosis) is the most common disease of the nail. Nail fungal infections are typically caused by a fungus that belongs to a group of fungi called dermatophytes, though yeasts and molds also can be responsible for nail fungal infections. An infection occurs when fungi take hold underneath one or more of your nails. They invade your skin through tiny invisible cuts or through a small separation between your nail and nail bed. These microscopic organisms thrive in warm, moist environments such as showers, swimming pools, and the inside of a hot, damp shoe.

A nail fungal infection may begin as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the nail fungus spreads deeper into your nail, it may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and develop crumbling edges — an unsightly and potentially painful problem.

You may suffer from nail infection (onychomycosis) if you have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Discolored nails
• Yellow streaks under the nail
• Distorted or thickened nails
• Brittle, crumbly or ragged nail
• Nails separated from the underlying skin
• Buildup of debris (nail fragments, skin) under the nail
• White spots or streaks on the nail surface

Historical treatment options consisted of topical anti-fungal cream/lotion or oral medications. 

Topical creams are the cheapest and easiest form of treatment. However, because of the location of the fungus underneath the nail, these creams (i.e. Lotrimin) are largely ineffective in treating toenail fungus. 

Oral medications such as Lamisil are another option, but they may take four months or longer to eliminate the infection. They also may cause side effects ranging from skin rashes to liver damage. 

Recently, laser technology has been found to safely and effectively treat toenail fungus without the side effects associated with oral medication.

What is the Genesis Laser? The Genesis Laser, available at Avanti Skin Center of Denver, is one of the newest laser treatments available to safely and effectively treating onychomycosis (toenail fungus). By targeting the fungus directly, Genesis gets to the source of the problem immediately.

Tiny pulses of light from the Genesis Laser pass through the toenail to the fungus underneath. The fungus is irradiated without any damage to the surrounding nail or skin.

Treatment time is usually approximately 45 minutes. There is little to no discomfort. Clients generally just feel a warm sensation on their toes.

For satisfactory results, most people need 4 treatments.

No, you can resume your normal activities immediately!

You won't notice anything immediately following treatment. Though the fungus is likely dead, the toenail needs to grow out in order to see the healthy nail underneath. Though the entire process may take up to 12 months, most clients can see healthy nail growing in approximately 3 to 4 months.

While it is important to remove nail polish, decoration, and jewelry prior to treatment, you can reapply nail polish 24 hours after treatment

Reinfection is possible if you do not take proper precaution. Toenail fungus may be acquired anywhere from your environment, for example, in damp areas such as public swimming pools or gyms. This is why home care is important. Consistent use of these home care modalities such as using an antifungal will help to prevent a recurrence of the fungus.

Please contact us for pricing.

We also offer a 25% off Senior discount a toenail package to clients over the age of 65. 

Toenail fungus is considered a cosmetic procedure by most insurance companies. Treatments at Avanti are not covered by insurance.

If you have 1 or 2 toenails that are infected, you are at a much higher risk of cross infection. Fungus may have already infected other toenails, but is just not readily seen (yet). For this reason our standard protocol is to treat all 10 toes even if the fungus is not visible in all the toes.