Does laser therapy work for fungal nails?

Treating a fungal nail takes a long time. The nail on the big toe can take up to a year to fully recover from an infection. With an endless range of products and medications available, it's best to consult your pedicure, doctor, dermatologist, or pharmacist to find out which treatment suits you best.

Have you heard about UV, laser, or infrared treatments for this problem? I'd be happy to share some important information with you.

If we were to believe the advertisements, a "laser" treatment (though details on the type of laser used—UV or infrared—are often missing) would be a safe and effective solution for toenail fungus. By firing short laser pulses in quick succession, the fungus is supposedly heated and destroyed.

Many websites promoting these devices claim that the effectiveness of this technique for treating toenail fungus is "clinically proven," that there are no side effects, the treatment is painless, and that only one session is needed. The cost is around €40 to €50 per nail, though some websites recommend treating all toenails to reduce the risk of reinfection.

For a laser treatment, you must also treat the nail at home with an antifungal medication, remove as much affected nail material as possible, and disinfect socks and shoes. This makes the actual impact of the laser itself negligible. Moreover, there is no evidence that the laser alone has a positive effect on curing the infection, as other factors play a role simultaneously.

As a result, Testaankoop (consumer magazine) has requested these companies to remove the claim that the treatment is clinically proven from their websites, as this is inaccurate. They also urged them to disclose the treatment duration and potential side effects on their websites and brochures to ensure consumers are well-informed. As of 2020, these requirements had not yet been met.

Research is still being conducted and planned to determine the appropriate dose and intensity of UV radiation needed to treat fungal nails effectively.

Because UV radiation still has too many unknown factors, dermatologists do not offer this technique. So, think twice before booking this treatment at a beauty or pedicure salon.

Conclusion:

Laser treatment is very expensive, requires medication, is based on unfounded claims, and is not evidence-based. If you have been struggling with a fungal nail for years, have already visited a pedicure, and see no improvement despite daily care, consider making an appointment with a dermatologist to explore which products might help you.

Source: Testaankoop – Schimmellaser