25 - 35 million Americans suffer from toenail fungus. It can be a frustrating, embarrassing, and even painful problem. Prior treatments were limited to largely ineffective topical creams and harsh oral medications. However, now you can quickly, easily, and effectively treat toenail fungus in Santa Barbara with the Genesis Laser at Evolutions Medical Spa.
Laser energy passes through the nail and kills the fungus at the source, allowing a healthy new nail to grow out in its place. The treatment takes only about 20 minutes and patients experience little to no pain! Also, the success rate of laser treatment on toenail fungus is as high as 88%.
The Toenail Fungus Treatment package at Evolutions not only includes up to 3 treatments (though most people are cured in 1 or 2 treatments), but also helps you to prevent reinfection with two tubes of complimentary anti-fungal cream and the unique, patented SteriShoe ultraviolet shoe sanitizer to safely and effectively sanitize the inside of your shoes and kill fungi, fungal spores, and bacteria.
The following section answers some of the frequently asked questions about Toenail Fungus Treatment in Santa Barbara. If you are interested in finding out more, please call us at 805-687-0212 to book a complimentary consultation. If you prefer, you may also click here and fill out an online request form. One of our Spa Coordinators will then get in touch with you.
Toenail Fungus (known medically as Onychomycosis) is the most common disease of the nail. Nail fungal infections are typically caused by a fungus that belongs to a group of fungi called dermatophytes, though yeasts and molds also can be responsible for nail fungal infections. An infection occurs when fungi take hold underneath one or more of your nails. They invade your skin through tiny invisible cuts or through a small separation between your nail and nail bed. These microscopic organisms thrive in warm, moist environments such as showers, swimming pools, and the inside of a hot, damp shoe.
A nail fungal infection may begin as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the nail fungus spreads deeper into your nail, it may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and develop crumbling edges — an unsightly and potentially painful problem.
Historical treatment options consisted of topical anti-fungal cream/lotion or oral medications.
Topical creams are the cheapest and easiest form of treament. However, because of the location of the fungus underneath the nail, these creams (i.e. Lotrimin) are largely ineffective in treating toenail fungus.
Oral medications such as Lamisil are another option, but they may take four months or longer to eliminate the infection. They also may cause side effects ranging from skin rashes to liver damage.
Recently, laser technology has been found to safely and effectively treat toenail fungus without the side effects associated with oral medication.
The Genesis Laser, now available at Evolutions Medical Spa, is one of the newest laser treatments available to safely and effectively treating onychomycosis (toenail fungus). By targeting the fungus directly, Genesis gets to the source of the problem immediately.
Tiny pulses of light from the Genesis Laser pass through the toenail to the fungus underneath. The fungus is irradiated without any damage to the surrounding nail or skin.
Though many clients only need one treatment, the package at Evolutions includes 2 treatments as a baseline in order to make sure that the fungus is treated completely. If additional treatment is needed, a 3rd procedure is included for no extra charge.
You won't notice anything immediately following treatment. Though the fungus is likely dead, the toenail needs to grow out in order to see the healthy nail underneath. Though the entire process may take up to 12 months, most clients can see healthy nail growing in approximately 3 - 4 months.
Reinfection is possible if you do not take proper precaution. Toenail fungus may be acquired anywhere from your environment, for example, in damp areas such as public swimming pools or gyms. This is why home care is important. As part of the Toenail Fungus Treatment package at Evolutions, you are given two complimentary tubes of anti-fungal cream and the unique, patented SteriShoe ultraviolet shoe sanitizer to safely and effectively sanitize the inside of your shoes and kill fungi and fungal spores that could potentially reinfect your toes.
Consistent use of these home care modalitites will help to prevent a recurrence of the fungus. .
How much does it cost? Is it covered by Insurance?
The complete Toenail Fungus Treatment package costs $950. This includes 2 treatments of all 10 toes, 2 tubes of anti-fungal cream (a $30 value), and the patented SteriShoes (a $140 value). A 3rd treatment is included at no cost if necessary.
The cost for 1 - 5 toes is $750. This also includes up to 2 treatments (plus a 3rd if needed), the anti-fungal cream and SteriShoes.
We also offer a 25% off senior discount on either toenail package to clients over the age of 65.
Toenail fungus is considered a cosmetic procedure by most insurance companies. Treatments at Evolutions are not covered by insurance.
What if only 1 or 2 toenails are infected? Do you have to treat all 10 toes?
If you have 1 or 2 toenails that are infected, you are at a much higher risk of cross infection. Fungus may have already infected other toenails, but is just not readily seen (yet).
For this reason our standard prototcol is to treat all 10 toes even if the fungus is not visible in all the toes.
The SteriShoe® sanitizer is an innovative foot care product that provides a healthier environment for your feet by sanitizing the inside of your shoes. It's clinically proven to be effective in killing up to 99.9% of problematic microorganisms!
Using germicidal ultraviolet light (UVC), the SteriShoe® shoe sanitizer kills the organisms that cause:
Toenail fungus, Athlete's foot, and offensive shoe odor
SteriShoe® is a $140 value but is included in the price of a Toenail Fungus Treatment package at Evolutions.
What about fungus under the fingernail? Is that treatable?
Absolutely! Though fingernail fungus is not as common as toenail fungus, the actual fungus is the same, as is the treatment. The cost for a fingernail package is $750 for 6 - 10 fingers and $500 for 1 - 5 fingers.
