Lunula Laser

Premier Medical Group’s Podiatry Division is the first practice in the Hudson Valley to be able to offer the Lunula Laser for fungal toenails. This new and exciting treatment is a proven non invasive treatment for onychomycosis (fungal nails). There is no discomfort, downtime or side effects associated with the laser. It uses low-level laser light to treat fungus and usually requires four 12-minute sessions to the affected area.

The Lunula Laser is the easy and convenient treatment that helps turn your discolored and disfigured nails into clearer, healthier looking nails.

  • The only touchless, painless treatment for onychomycosis
  • No pain, no downtime, and no risk
  • No more embarrassment about unsightly feet

The Lunula Laser delivers a combination of two very low power lasers simultaneously at very specific wavelengths to the surface of your feet. The lasers generate a rotating beam and can cover a large area of the foot to completely treat infections within the nails and nail bed.

For more information or to schedule an appointment please call  #(845) 454-0630

 

What is Lunula Laser?

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Lunula Laser is a treatment option for toenail fungus that uses low-level lasers to target areas of discoloration and fungus. The laser treatments are painless and can be done as an out-patient treatment in a podiatrist’s office. While studies are still being conducted to learn more about the effectiveness of low-level laser treatments for toenail fungus, the existing clinical research reports very few side effects and high efficacy rates for treatment fungus. 

While the Lunula Laser is a specific trademarked laser, there are a variety of laser makers utilizing similar technology, making laser treatments for toenail fungus a more popular option for people struggling to treat the fungus with more traditional means. Lunula Laser treatments are approved by the FDA and can be very effective for many people. A promising alternative to harsh toenail fungus medications, Lunula Laser is a treatment option gaining popularity. 

What is toenail fungus?

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Also called onychomycosis, toenail fungus is an infection that occurs in the nail. Toenail fungus is very common and can affect almost anyone throughout their life. As the infection grows, it can extend deep into the nailbed, causing discoloration and nail deformation. While toenail fungus is not always harmful, the fungus can bother some people. Especially if the fungus causes your nails to become thick and hardened, toenail fungus needs proper treatment to address the symptoms. 

Nail fungus is caused when fungus, bacteria, or mold start to grow around the toenails in warm, wet environments. A podiatrist can typically diagnose onychomycosis with an in-office physical examination of the affected nails. Together with your doctor, you can create an effective treatment plan for the fungus, if needed. To treat toenail fungus, a podiatrist most often prescribed oral antifungal medications, medicated nail polish, or medicated nail cream. These medicated treatment options tend to have side effects and can be damaging to the body over time. In more extreme cases of hard-to-treat fungus, your doctor might surgically remove the impacted nail to stop the growth of the fungus. People with toenail fungus should see a doctor to be sure the symptoms you are experiencing are not symptomatic of a more serious condition. 

As more is discovered about the effectiveness of Lunula Laser treatments for toenail fungus, more patients are seeking this as a painless, and drug free option that shows more immediate results. Podiatrists may not prescribe laser treatments as a first option, so be sure to discuss the possibility of laser treatments with your doctor. 

How do Lunula Laser treatments work?

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Lunula Laser utilizes photochemistry, the science of light and color, to pinpoint low-level lasers and treat areas of fungus. Low-level lasers emit a single wavelength of light to help alleviate symptoms of many musculoskeletal conditions in a non-invasive application. The light can reduce inflammation, decrease pain, and speed up tissue regeneration by stimulating new cell growth. All of these benefits of low-level lasers make it a great treatment option for a condition like toenail fungus. 

The laser is strong enough to pass through the toenail but not so strong that it causes damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Upon making contact with the fungus, the wavelength destroys the fungus but does not keep passing through the skin. The laser treatment is classified as a non-thermal laser since it does not use heat throughout the treatment. 

What does a Lunula Laser treatment for toenail fungus look like?

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Lunula Laser treatments for toenail fungus occur over a series of appointments. Each appointment lasts around 30 minutes, depending on the individual patient, the location of the fungus, and the severity of the fungus. The treatments are not painful, so you can leave and go back to your day as normal with no interruptions. Treatments are typically scheduled anywhere from five to six weeks apart. After the full course of treatments, the toenails do require plenty of time to grow back normally. This regrowth step can take anywhere from 12 to 18 months for toenails. 

During your Lunula Laser appointments, you can expect the following from the treatments. The Lunula Laser device has an opening to place the impacted foot to be in the path of the lasers. Once your foot is positioned properly, the podiatrist will start the laser treatments, which can last 12 minutes per treatment. The podiatrist may repeat the treatment on the other foot if any nails are affected by fungus, but the overall appointment time is not long. The laser should not create any discomfort or heat throughout the treatments. 

Who can get Lunula Laser treatments?

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Not everyone is a good candidate for Lunula Laser treatments, so it is important to discuss your case of toenail fungus with your doctor. A review of your health history, symptoms, and past treatments for your toenail fungus can help establish any risks that might exist for you with Lunula Laser treatments. In addition, this comprehensive health review can reveal that you would be a good candidate for the treatment. 

Board-certified podiatrists are the best medical professionals to discuss your treatment options with. Depending on your goals for treatment and any potential risk factors, your doctor may approve you for low-level laser treatments to remove your toenail fungus. More research is needed to determine who might respond best to laser treatments and who might be at risk for further damage with the use of a laser. 

What are the benefits of Lunula Laser treatments?

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Lunula Laser treatments have great benefits when the treatment is effective. The procedure itself is relatively short, does not produce any pain, and does show results over time. Low-level laser therapy is safe and is used in broad applications to treat many conditions in addition to toenail fungus. The FDA has approved Lunula Laser treatments to help with the abatement of toenail fungus and is becoming more readily available for patients. 

For many, the greatest benefit is the avoidance of medication and surgical treatment options for toenail fungus. The medications used to treat toenail fungus can have uncomfortable side effects and can cause organ damage over time with frequent use. Laser treatments offer a non-invasive alternative to medications and boast little to no side effects over time.

What are the side effects of Lunula Laser treatments?

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More research is needed into identifying potential side effects of treatments from Lunula Lasers. While the use of the laser is safe, not enough is known about long-term effects or its effect on people with varying medical conditions or other predisposing risk factors. For now, in the literature, the risks remain minimal. 

The Lunula Laser treatments do not prevent nail fungus from returning, so the laser treatments are not a preventative measure to keep fungus away. Some might find this discouraging, considering the cost of the treatments and the need to have multiple treatments over several months. 

What are alternative treatments for toenail fungus in addition to Lunula Laser?

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There are many treatment options for those struggling with toenail fungus but who cannot receive or are not interested in laser treatments. The following are commonly prescribed toenail fungus therapies: 

  • Surgical nail removal: Your podiatrist may recommend surgically removing the impacted toenail if the toenail is resistant to treatment. 
  • Topical antifungal creams: Creams applied to the toenail fungus can help with fungus if you stick to the prescribed schedule of application. 
  • Oral antifungal medications: Antifungal medications are usually prescribed in situations where aggressive treatment is needed to kill the fungus. FDA-approved antifungal medications include, griseofulvin, fluconazole, itraconazole, and terbinafine.  

Combination of treatments: Your podiatrist might recommend a combination of oral and topical medications to target the fungus.

What is the outlook after Lunula Laser treatments?

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The outlook for people post-treatment is positive. The treatments are effective at clearing up the toenail fungus and improving the appearance of the toenails. Lunula Laser treatments can be the light at the end of the tunnel for many who have lived with toenail fungus and have not found success with traditional treatments. While laser treatments cannot keep the fungus from returning, they can be a quick and painless method to remove the fungus. 

While more research is needed to more fully understand the laser treatment, you should consult with your physician if you want to explore Lunula Lasers as a treatment option. Considering the low risk and the effectiveness of Lunula Laser treatments, people can find great relief for their feet and restore their confidence and comfort with their feet and nails.

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