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Onychomycosis Specialist

La Peau Dermatology

Zaina Rashid, DO, FAOCD, FAAD

Mohs Skin Cancer Surgeon & Dermatologist located in Mesa, AZ

Onychomycosis

ClearSteps is a revolutionary method for treating onychomycosis in a patient friendly, quick and effective way with Nd:YAG laser light. Laser light heats evenly throughout the depth of effected nail and skin tissue, effectively weakening and killing parasitic fungi which have infected the patient's nail.

Deep, pulse-profile heating of the nail bed stimulates the killing of parasitic fungus. The natural growth and immune processes of the body are then able to restore the nail to its pristine state. Compared to traditional methods the effects of laser light spread evenly throughout the tissue and are not subject to either the limits of chemical diffusion, as are topicals, or the induction of hepatotoxic side effects, as is the case with oral medications. The procedure can be performed in three simple steps:

  • Step 1: File down the Nail. During onychomycosis the nail will become deformed and overgrown, it may also thicken. Filing down the nail allows laser light to fully penetrate into the treatment site.
  • Step 2: Administer Nd:YAG laser pulses in a circular pattern covering the entire nail. Slightly overlap the beam so that the nail is fully covered. The patient should feel a slight heating sensation throughout the nail.
  • Step 3: Target Nd:YAG laser pulses around the perimeter of the nail bed and around the finger or toe. Often parasitic fungus has worked its way beyond the nail bed and needs to be eliminated in all the tissue surrounding the nail to prevent recurrence.

The treatment is usually performed four times, at one week intervals. All of the nails should be treated, during every treatment, just in case. Laser light can also effectively treat fungus which has infected skin tissue.