The state-of-the-art laser penetrates the nail with pulses of energy that target the fungus beneath without damaging the skin. The licensed and board-certified physicians at Hudson Dermatology are dedicated to helping patients overcome both cosmetic and medical conditions. Driven by compassion and a desire to help women and men achieve their personal aesthetic goals, the team is here for you on every step of your journey.

Every patient’s treatment journey begins with a consultation to determine which procedures will best address their needs and conditions. During your consultation, a dermatologist will assess the nails that are causing concern. If onychomycosis is present, laser nail fungus treatments may be recommended. Because fingernail and toenail fungus has a tendency to spread and increase in severity with time, it’s best to seek treatment as soon as possible—even if the symptoms seem mild.

Prior to the actual treatment, your dermatologist will ask that you remove any nail polish from the areas that will be treated. They may also file down the nails and remove dead skin adjacent to the treatment area. During your appointment, a laser will be moved over the affected nail. The experience is painless, although some patients report experiencing a slight warming or tingling session in the treatment area. As the laser is drawn over the nail, it heats the fungal colonies growing beneath, killing them. Unlike topical nail fungus treatments, the laser can easily penetrate the nail, targeting the bacteria where it grows.

A laser nail fungus treatment at NY’s Hudson Dermatology typically takes less than 15 minutes. There’s no downtime required afterward, allowing patients to return to their normal schedule and activities at their own discretion. Your medical practitioner will provide you with aftercare instructions to help minimize the recurrence of fingernail or toenail fungus and ensure that the treated area remains healthy.

Some patients only require a single session, while others will need additional treatments to fully eradicate the infection. Following treatment, it can take several months to a year to see positive results depending on the nail’s growth cycle. Right after the treatment, new nail growth will be healthy, but fingernails take six to nine months to grow out and toenails take nine to 12 months.

Following treatment, patients will notice that new nail growth lacks the discoloration that previously affected the nail, and the nail should assume a normal shape and texture. While a successful laser nail fungus treatment at Hudson Dermatology can fully eradicate the infection, there are some instances of recurrence. When this happens, patients can schedule additional fingernail or toenail fungus treatment sessions. Patients who notice the symptoms of onychomycosis and seek treatment early limit the fungus’s opportunity to spread, reducing treatment time.

Because laser energy is so effective at addressing a range of issues, the Hudson Dermatology team also uses it for laser hair removal, laser skin rejuvenation, and acne-fighting TheraClear treatments.