Nail Fungus
Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of nails and constitutes one of the most common dermatological infestations, affecting 10% of the general population, 20% of persons older than 60 years, and 50% of those older than 70 years in the US . A recent European study showed that the prevalence of onychomycosis may be as high as 26.9% in the general population. The causative agents of onychomycosis include dermatophytes (fungi that invade only dead tissues of the skin, nails, or hair), non-dermatophyte moulds, and rarely, yeasts of the Candida species . Many therapies are available in the market today including surgical, chemical, topical and oral methods. All these solutions have limitations such as inadequate spectrum of activity, low efficacy due to poor penetration to the nail plate, drug interactions, high costs, duration of treatment and recurrence of the infection.
THE TECHNOLOGY that we use in the Transformation Medical Center Harmony XL PRO combines a unique patented high-power laser system with microsecond pulses and high repetition rate. A new non-invasive approach to the treatment of onychomycosis involves exposing the nail plate to two types of lasers. This combined method called “ClearChoice” uses a QSW Nd:YAG laser with a wavelength of 532 nm, followed by a pulsed Nd:YAG laser with a wavelength of 1064 nm. A pulsed laser with a wavelength of 1064 nm provides high average power – fluence of up to 200mJ/P and a repetition rate of 30Hz in a 1mm spot size. The Q- switched Nd:YAG emits laser at a fluence of up to 1200mJ/P, in a short nanosecond pulse width to a 3mm.
LASER-NAIL INTERACTION
The energy used in Nd:YAG lasers is intended to be absorbed by the organism located on the nail bed based on the principle of selective photothermolysis. Light energy is converted to thermal energy to thermally deactivate the fungi cells and spores without damaging the nail plate. In addition, T. rubrum pigment (red and brown) photothermolysis is associated to the Q-Switched laser that is well absorbed by the fungi’s pigments rather than a nonspecific thermal damage caused. In the past,
PREPARATION FOR THE PROCEDURE.
Before visiting a specialist, do not treat nails damaged by the disease with anything, do not apply therapeutic or cosmetic varnishes.
Affected nails should not be trimmed 3-4 days before the consultation. If you have the results of previous laboratory tests, bring them to the appointment.
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