Frequently asked questions
About the laser treatment
If you have a question about toenail fungus or the laser treatment that is not
answered here, please contact us and we will be happy to advise you.
- What is the cost of treatment?
- How long does the treatment take?
- What is toenail fungus?
- What are the symptoms of toenail fungus?
- Why don't you charge for the first consultation?
- How can I pay?
- Can you treat just the infected nail?
- Are you medically qualified to give this nail treatment?
- Is the nail treatment approved by health authorities?
- Can I claim on my health insurance?
- Will my nails look normal again after treatment?
- Can you treat fingernail fungus?
- What causes nail fungus?
- How can I be sure I have fungal infection?
- Why treat my fungal infection?
- Is the laser treatment painful?
- How effective is the treatment?
- What if it does not work?
- Who are PinPointe?
- What is your cancellation policy?
The cost of toenail laser treatments starts at £350 for one nail, or £750 for both
feet. Fingernail treatments start at £75 for one nail.
Please see our complete list of price plans and special offers.
On average,
our appointments last approximately 60 minutes, which gives us time
to carry
out the procedure, answer any questions and provide follow-up advice. Our
experience has shown that in most cases
two treatments are required for optimum
results, which is why our prices are
based on two laser treatment sessions. The
second treatment is carried out four
to six months after the first session. Whether
you have one nail with fungus or more, we will carefully
treat your infected nails to
ensure that any pathogens are eliminated. We are
committed to providing the best
quality laser treatment available to every one
of our patients.
Toenail fungus or onychomycosis is a common fungal infection that affects around
900 million people worldwide. The nail can appear thickened, yellow or cloudy and
will often become rough and crumbly and even separate from the nail bed. Although
it can be argued this is a purely a cosmetic problem, the nail can become painful,
difficult to cut and very brittle. In addition, particles can collect under the nail and
become odorous.
The affected nail turns white-yellow or yellow-brown and the nail may thicken,
develop a crust and the surrounding area may become red and swollen, causing
discomfort. The nail can also become pitted and misshapen with grooves or ridges.
The thickening, discolouration and irregularities are plainly visible.
As there are a number of conditions that can look like a fungal nail infection, it is
important to get a correct diagnosis by a specialist. At Beauchamp Foot Care we
can usually diagnose what condition is affecting you at your first visit. If we are
uncertain as to the cause of your condition, our podiatrists will arrange for a nail
sample to be sent away for analysis. There is, however, a charge for this procedure
should it be necessary.
We accept cash or credit card payments for nail laser treatment.
Once you have a nail fungal infection, it can be the main cause of infection in other
nails. We usually recommend treating all nails to ensure all microscopic organisms
are killed to prevent the spread to other nails. Our podiatrists will be able to advise
you on the best course of treatment on examination.
All nail treatments are carried out by our Certified Podiatrists, each with over 20
years of experience in diagnosing and treating nail conditions. In addition, each
specialist has received in-depth training in either the UK or USA on this particular
system. And, as we were one of the first clinics in the UK to adopt this technique,
we have treated hundreds of patients to date.
The treatment is approved for use both in the European Union under a CE mark
and by the Federal Drug Administration in the USA, where the treatment was first
developed.
It will depend on your level of health cover and your particular insurer. We suggest
you contact your insurer to check before commencing treatment.
Your nails should look normal again if the appearance is sole affected by the fungal
infection. For example, if the nail is thickened due to an injury of the matrix (root),
as well as the fungus, then the thickness will not be rectified by the laser.
Yes, the PinPointe® laser system is just as effective on fingernails. In fact, we
have treated many patients with fungal fingernail infections since installing the laser.
We suggest you make an appointment to see us so we can assess your condition
and advise on treatment.
Microscopic organisms cause nail fungal infections. Most commonly, a group of
fungi called dermatophytes is responsible for nail infections. However, some yeasts
and moulds also cause these infections. Pathogens that cause nail fungus
infection usually enter the skin through tiny cuts or small separations between the
nail and nail bed. The fungi grow when the nail provides a suitably warm and moist
environment, as is often the case inside shoes.
We suggest a 15-minute free consultation. If the diagnosis is not conclusive on
inspection, we provide a service where we take toenail clippings of possible
infected nails, which are then sent to a laboratory to have a culture grown in order
to diagnose if fungal spores are present. Nail fungus is the actual cause of the
problem in only about 50% of cases we see, so we will advise you accordingly. We
will not suggest laser treatment if it isn't suitable for your condition.
In minor or mild cases of fungal infection, people will often turn a blind eye. This
can be a mistake as treated quickly there is a much higher success rate and less
chance of infection spreading to other nails.
The laser light beam does not harm the nail or surrounding skin. While some
patients may experience mild discomfort from the heat the laser generates, usually
the treatment is painless and there is never a need for analgesia.
PinPointe studies of past patients reported 71.4% experienced continuous
improvement in the clear nail area.
improvement in the clear nail area.
PinPointe USA, Inc., is located in Chico, California, and develops and markets
innovative laser-based solutions for podiatrists and patients worldwide. All
PinPointe products provide superior clinical performance, which is the result of
years of research, sound science and clinical studies.The company announced
recently that the PinPointe™ FootLaser™ received clearance from the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of nail fungus (onychomycosis).
If you are unable to attend your appointment, please let us know at least 24
hours in advance so we can allocate that time to another patient.
