Attention we now offer K-Laser in Clinic
Have you tried everything for your fungal nails without success? We might have a solution for you! Here at Be Podiatry we pride ourselves on utilising the best and most evidence based technology. We now offer K-Laser therapy to help our patients achieve the best possible outcomes.
What is K-Laser?
K-Laser is at the forefront of treating fungal nails among other things such as warts and even musculoskeletal injuries. K-Laser is a quick, non-invasive and very well tolerated therapy for treating fungal nails that we offer across our 3 Be Podiatry locations.
How long does it take?
K-Laser typically requires treatment once a week for 5 weeks or alternatively one treatment per day across 5 consecutive days. This may differ from person to person depending on the extent and severity of the fungal nail infection where more sessions may be required.
Before using the laser your podiatrist will most likely perform nail care. This may include trimming the nails back and reducing the thickness. This is to remove as much fungal nail as possible and enhance the effectiveness of laser treatment.
The K-Laser treatment itself is a quick process. The first step requires the nails to be treated with an infrared light setting for 2 minutes. This improves blood flow to the area and stimulates the bodies immune system. Next, we then use the surgical laser head to treat the big toenails for 3 minutes and the lesser toenails for 1 min. It is during this phase where the laser is targeting the fungal cells. To finish we repeat the first step over the nails for another 2 minutes.
Does it hurt?
When treating fungal nails you will feel a sensation of warmth throughout the treatment as the laser heats up the fungal cells. This sensation may feel uncomfortable at stages but it should not be painful. It is important to tell the podiatrist if you think it is getting too hot so the treatment can be adjusted accordingly. This treatment is very well tolerated based on our clinical experience.
How does K-Laser work?
K-Laser is thought to work via two different mechanisms known as the photobiomodulation and selective photothermolysis.
The photobiomodulation effect relates to helping the body’s immune system to fight off the fungal nail infection. This occurs as the laser beam is able to stimulate the body to increase delivery of blood flow, oxygen, water and nutrients to the affected site which aids the body to combat the fungal infection.
Secondly, selective photothermolysis is where the laser is able to heat up the tissue to target and destroy the fungal cells. The laser sends pulses in a time on and time off phase where the tissue heats up and then cools back down. Fungal cells act as a chromophore which causes them to heat up more than surrounding healthy tissue. When the next round of pulses are delivered, the fungal cells are therefore still hot compared to the healthy tissue which has cooled down. This repeated process is how the fungal cells are heated up to a level where they are destroyed and the surrounding tissue remains unaffected.
How long does it take to see results?
K-Laser is most effective for fungal nails when used in combination with other treatment such as topical anti-fungals and oral tablets. Based on the severity of the infection your podiatrist will recommend whether oral tablets may be an option for you in conjunction with K-laser and topical products. It typically takes 12 months or so for a nail to fully grow out. This is therefore the timeframe it takes for resolution for a severe fungal nail infection. Signs of improvement may be observed at our review appointment 4-6 weeks after our initial 5 K-laser sessions.
Do you think think K laser would benefit you? Get in touch with our team today 9434 4422 or book online now
