New Laser Technique Tackles Onychomycosis

The photo on the right shows the patient after two CoolBreeze treatments.

Onychomycosis, or fungal infection of the nail and nail bed, is the most common of all diseases of the nails in adults, says Dr. Krista Archer, a Manhattan foot specialist. Dr. Archer offers her patients a new treatment, an in-office laser called the CoolTouch CT3 plus CoolBreeze, that treats discolored, thickened, fungal toenails. The laser is currently FDA cleared to treat acne scars, fine lines, and wrinkles, and recently received general podiatry FDA clearance. This laser treatment has been shown to effectively treat onychomycosis in clinical and in-office trials, and uses invisible infrared beams to safely treat fungal nails with no adverse side effects.

“Before laser treatment, combinations of topical and oral antifungal medications were used to cure infected nails as part of a long and drawn-out treatment plan,” says Dr. Archer. “Today, patients require about three CoolBreeze treatments averaging about two minutes per nail. The procedure is pain-free, and patients can resume their normal activities the same day. The best part for women is that they can continue to paint their toenails throughout the course of treatment.”

— Judy