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Below is a list of frquently asked questions, just click on a question and the answer will be revealed.

The evidence so far shows excellent results in just one treatment but a number of patients have found that the results are slow or are variable in some nails especially in a longstanding infection - this is a comment from one patient after having one treatment -

"I may need a second laser treatment. I had my initial treatment 11 months ago. Both feet were treated. Whilst the majority of my toe nails have greatly improved and healthy nail is fully grown I am still concerned about couple of nails."

By planning on two treatments we maximise the laser usage and address any persistent infection rapidly.

We are Podiatrists providing a complete medical assessment and consultation that requires a complete appointment in order to provide an appropriate treatment plan. In some cases the nails will need to be cut or filed to appreciate the colour, texture or quality of the nails.

In other cases, alternative diagnoses are discussed or suspected. In all cases, we provide unbiased and honest advice about the suitability of the PinPointe FootLaser treatment.

This is not a sales appointment but a medical consultation.

The laser treatment for fungal nails is a breakthrough in treating the fungus infection. The laser is applied externally, and in many cases just one treatment is required. There is no requirement for oral or systemic medication that can cause side effects. There is no requirement for painting and filing the nails to apply lacquer for months on end. There are no reported side effects. The beam of laser energy is targeted through the nail to the nail bed, eliminating the fungus within.

There are other laser systems marketed as being effective against fungi. As of March 2011, the PinPointe FootLaser is the only system cleared by the FDA in America specifically for fungal nail infections. It is the only laser that has over three years' proven clinical experience.

Only certified podiatrists are able to carry out the treatment. The London Nail Laser Clinic is the European training centre for this treatment and has trained other providers in London, Turkey and Germany. Certification is awarded after being trained according to the standards of PathoLase/PinPointe. Martine and Michael Abrahams were trained by Dr Uro at The Foot Doctor Laser Center in Sacramento.

The PinPointe FootLaser treatment is carried out by Mrs Martine Abrahams BSc (Hons) MChS and Mr Michael Abrahams BSc (Hons) MChS - both podiatrists - together with their associate Joseph Gaffin BSc (Hons) MChS and Marion Yau BSc (Hons) MChS DF (Hons) Pod (Dip). They are registered with the Health Professions Council. Podiatrists are not medical doctors but specialists in the care of the foot and the structures that impact upon it. Podiatrists are Primary Care Practitioners and do not require a referral from a third party to consult. They have each completed a Bachelor of Science degree with honours in podiatry and they are members of The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists.

 

 

Health Policies vary so please do check with your insurer. Many will pay the cost of our consultation which for insured patients is £200 and follow up of £150. Payment is required in full at the time of your treatment and you should arrange reimbursement directly with your insurer. BUPA will require a referral from a consultant to see Mr Abrahams and we can assist you with this. AXA PPP do not recognise Podiatry unless it is surgical so no cover is available.

 

Cash Back Plans such as SimplyHealth will pay the appropriate percentage up to your annual limit and we will provide a receipt for this.

AXA PPP do not provide cover for this or any non-surgical Podiatry treatment.

There are specific clinical signs and details that are highly suggestive of a fungal infection. If there is doubt, nail clippings can be taken and sent for culture. However, there is a 30 per cent false negative rate with clippings. The presence of athlete's foot and nail fungus is considered confirmation.

Any infection can return if the causative fungus is able to gain access under the nail or on the foot. We will discuss methods of improving hygiene, reducing the amount of fungi that live on the foot and other ways to minimise reinfection.

The use of regular antifungal creams or sprays, avoiding walking barefoot in wet public areas, good hygiene and shoe rotation techniques are suggested.

Over the period of time we have been carying out the treatment we have found that increasing the amount of time lasing the nails improves the outcome. As such we generally treat the nails until they get warm or hot - depending on your sensitivity.

Should the nails become too hot, we would stop and move on to a different nail and return to it once it has cooled down. In any event, any pain is momentary and ceases once the laser is removed.

The treatment has been shown to be 70 per cent effective in a single treatment. In some cases if the infection is extensive or long standing, a second treatment can be required. The London Nail Laser Clinic now include a second treatment to previously infected nails as standard with their revised prices (May 2011). Whilst not required in all cases, over the two years of carrying out the treatment, the effectiveness is increased significantly and chances of reinfection reduced.

A third treatment can be carried out provided that the nail is growing clearer and less infected in the past. A treatment to the big nail costs £80 and smaller nails £40 for third treatments if required.

This is not an invasive treatment and there is no recovery period, no bandages and no pain relief or anaesthetics required. You may fly, return to work and continue as normal after the treatment. Sport and activity is not affected.

In clinical studies the treatment has been shown to be 70-88 per cent effective. Since 2008, more than 50,000 patients have been treated in clinics throughout the world – from the USA to Australia and Europe. More info.

The PinPointe FootLaser can be used on fingernails with the same success. With some infections, all the nails would be treated; with others, just the infected or neighbouring fingers.

Fungal spores are present on the foot irrespective of which nails are affected. Toe spaces, grooves around the nails as well as the sole and arch of the foot are all places where fungi thrive. The dark, moist, hot and enclosed environment of the shoe provides an easy breeding site for fungi. If all fungus is not treated, reinfection is likely.

A research study published in The British Journal of Dermatology in 2009 assessed fungi in normal-appearing nails among people who have had athlete's foot and those who had never had any fungal problems. It concluded that fungi could be isolated from normal-appearing toenails and that the presence of these spores was strongly associated with the presence of athlete's foot (tinea pedis). Subclinical dermatophytes in the nail plate may serve as a reservoir for ongoing local infection.

Guidelines for use of this technique advise that all the nails should be treated to prevent fungal spores spreading. With toenails especially, because they are tightly packed against each other in shoes and in a warm, moist environment, the chance of cross infection is high. We usually suggest treating the entire foot to minimise the chance of reinfection but in selected cases we will treat one nail.

An interest-free finance plan can be arranged to pay over six or ten months. Please request an application form and complete this in advance of any appointments. This would not take effect until the final finance contract was signed immediately before any treatment.

At most of our clinics we charge for the treatment required. To treat both feet the initial consultation and treatment is usually £500. A second treatment is advised after 2 months and this costs £175.

We advise a minimum of two treatments and have found this to be significantly beneficial in achieving the optimum result. In severe cases multiple treatments would be required. Additional treatments are based on the time required and our cost page gives details of this.

Our Radlett clinic offers the facility to pay for two treatments at the first appointment at a discount and both feet would be treated for £600 for two treatments.

Treating both feet is recommended to avoid cross contamination but to treat one foot, one big toe or fingernail costs are also listed on our cost page when appropriate.

An appointment typically lasts between one and a half to two hours with consultation and treatment when treating all toenails or all fingernails. To treat one foot, it takes one hour.

In many cases patients request the option to have time available after a consultation to treat the nail immediately. Other patients prefer to attend for a consultation separately. In either case there is no obligation to have the treatment and we would advise if we felt it would be unsuitable.