Fungal infections of the nails: an increasingly widespread blemish

Fungal infections of the nails, especially of the toenails, are one of the most common fungal diseases. About five percent of the population requests treatment for these, but the estimated number of people affected is approximately four to five times higher.
Most patients consider the changes and discoloration of the nails as unattractive and maybe a little embarrassing, but they do not pay this too much heed. Onychomycosis is not a minor cosmetic problem only, however; if left untreated, the infection can spread and eventually destroy the nail cells completely, which leads to the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed.

Treating the blemish with laser light

This infection can be treated with special nail polishes or anti-mycotics, but they have to be used for a very long time, do not always work and can cause side effects. The infection does not heal by itself and may destroy the nail plate completely. In addition, other nails may become infected and disorders of blood circulation are more likely (due to shoes that press on the toes).
A new method for the regrowth of beautiful clear nails is laser treatment with the QuadroStarPRO980 from Asclepion. The high-energy light emitted by the laser penetrates the nail and is absorbed. This leads to the heating of the nail and the surrounding skin. The special infrared wavelength of 980 nm of the QuadroStarPRO980 is able to penetrate through the nail plate and to heat the nail bed.
During the laser treatment, the handpiece is moved quickly in a snake-like pattern from left to right, from top to bottom etc. above the nail (including about 2mm skin surrounding the nail) until a noticeable warming sensation can be felt. The treatment is painless and its goal is to keep a tolerable temperature as long as possible in order to heat the parasites causing the infection long enough to destroy them.
The treatment time depends on the size of the nail (a big toe takes about 2 minutes) and on how much the nail is discolored and thickened. Normally, one or two treatments are sufficient to achieve satisfactory results.

Ablative lasers: the gold standard for dermatological treatments

The ablative lasers are the “gold standard” of lasers for dermatological treatments. They ablate the skin with a degree of precision that can be measured in microns. This makes it possible to safely and gently remove a wide variety of lesions from the skin at epidermis and dermis level. Due to their ease of absorption in water, both the Erbium:YAG (2,940 nm) and the CO2 (10,600 nm) wavelengths are highly suitable for this purpose.
The skin is disinfected before the treatment is carried out. Then, depending on the size and/or depth of the lesion to be dealt with, the dermatologist decides whether anesthesia is required and what type of anesthesia is appropriate (most of the treatments are very well tolerated without any anesthesia!).

Gentle and effective treatments

Treatments using lasers are gentle on the skin and eliminate bothersome skin lesions very effectively and in a matter of minutes. The Erbium laser works very precisely and can selectively remove skin areas to a predefined depth with little pain. At the same time it stimulates skin renewal. The results are impressive: tangibly smoother, softer skin.
After treatment, it normally only takes a few days for the wound to heal. It is recommended not to expose the treated area to sunlight or sunbeds for at least 10/15 days prior to/following treatment. The use of sunscreen is recommended in summertime and in general when treating areas exposed to sunlight (e.g. the face).
Studies show that the Erbium laser is also very effective in treating scars, for example acne scars, and for skin rejuvenation. The success results from the highly precise removal of tissue during treatment, softening and smoothing of tissue during wound healing and collagen neogenesis during the first year post-op.

Soon online FAQ about Nail Treatment

Asclepion Laser Technologies is working closely with physicians, clinics and universities to improve technologies to assess their effectiveness and safety as well as to improve its application. In clinical studies, scientific questions are answered in a controlled environment. This ensures the best possible results for both the users and patients.

Laser therapy of onychomycosis.
Nenoff P1, Grunewald S, Paasch U. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2014 Jan;12(1):33-8. doi: 10.1111/ddg.12251. Epub 2013 Nov 18.

 

Antifungal efficacy of lasers against dermatophytes and yeasts in vitro.
Paasch U, Mock A, Grunewald S, Bodendorf MO, Kendler M, Seitz AT, Simon JC, Nenoff P. Int J Hyperthermia. 2013 Sep;29(6):544-50. doi: 10.3109/02656736.2013.823672.

 

Heat profiles of laser-irradiated nails.
Paasch U, Nenoff P, Seitz AT, Wagner JA, Kendler M, Simon JC, Grunewald S. J Biomed Opt. 2014 Jan;19(1):18001. doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.19.1.018001.

Professional therapy

With its extensive range of services, Asclepion sees itself as a competent partner for dermatologically and aesthetically oriented practices, institutes and clinics. Decide now for the treatment with the most advanced laser technology and discover a new world of professionalism and quality.

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