Home Dermatology Treatments Infectious Skin Diseases Fungal Nail

Laser Fungal Nail Treatment in Tunbridge Wells

Fungal nail infection can cause the nail to become thickened, brittle, discoloured, crumbly or distorted. It most often affects toenails, although fingernails can also be affected.

At rtwskin in Tunbridge Wells, we offer laser fungal nail treatment for suitable patients. Your appointment begins with an assessment of the affected nail or nails to help confirm whether laser treatment is appropriate and whether any additional care may be needed.

Treatment is designed to target fungal nail infection while supporting healthier nail growth over time. The damaged part of the nail does not clear immediately, so results are seen gradually as the nail grows out.

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Treatment Pricing

Fungal nail Laser Treatment Tunbridge Wells

Consultation with Nurse
£50

Consultation with Dermatologist
£175

Private prescription
£25

All nails on feet or hands
from £150

Single nail or Thumb
from £65

The laser treatment for fungal nails cost at rtwskin clinic starts from £65 per session, with full pricing tailored to the extent of infection and required sessions.
We recommend you to have 4 treatments at two weeks intervals. It is advisable to treat both your feet as the infection can spread easily from one toe to another. You may need additional treatments if you have had the fungal infection for more than three years and the surrounding tissue is affected. If the nail bed is healthy the nail plate should grow out in 12 months, with healthy new growth visible within the first 3 months.

About the Treatment

What It Treats:

Nail fungus, discolouration, thickened nails, mild deformation

Anaesthetic:

None required

Treatment Time:

15–30 minutes

Risks:

Very low; mild warmth or redness may occur temporarily

Downtime:

None

Duration:

6 sessions on average

Procedure Type:

Fotona Nd:YAG Laser

Aftercare:

Avoid nail polish for 24 hours, keep area dry, monitor regrowth

What Is a Fungal Nail Infection?

A fungal nail infection, also known as onychomycosis, occurs when fungus affects the nail plate or nail bed. It can slowly change the colour, thickness, texture and shape of the nail.

Common signs may include:

Yellow, white or brown discolouration
Thickened nail plate
Brittle or crumbly nail edges
Distorted nail shape
Flaky debris under the nail
Nail lifting from the nail bed
Discomfort when wearing shoes
Slow or uneven nail growth

Fungal nail infections can take a long time to treat because toenails grow slowly. NHS information also notes that fungal nail infections can make nails brittle, discoloured or thicker than usual.

Is My Nail Definitely Fungal?

Not every thickened, yellow or deformed nail is caused by a fungal infection.

Similar nail changes can sometimes be linked to:

Repeated trauma or pressure from footwear
Psoriasis
Eczema
Age-related nail thickening
Previous nail injury
Poor circulation
Other nail conditions

This is why assessment is important before treatment. In some cases, nail testing or referral may be advised to help confirm whether fungus is present.

Your practitioner will assess the appearance of the nail, the number of nails affected, the severity of the change and whether laser treatment is likely to be appropriate.

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Which Areas Can It Treat?

Toenails

The most frequently affected area. Fungi thrive in warm, moist environments like shoes, making toenails vulnerable. Our laser treatment for fungal toe nails penetrates deeply to eliminate the infection without damaging nail growth.
Fingernails

Though less common, fingernail infections do occur, especially due to frequent handwashing, manicures, or trauma. We offer anti fungal treatment for finger nails that is gentle yet highly effective.
Nail Bed

Infections often start or spread beneath the surface. Our dual-laser protocol targets both the outer nail and underlying tissue, ensuring full treatment of the affected zone.
Surrounding Skin

In some cases, the infection extends beyond the nail. As part of a comprehensive plan, we also address treatment for fungal infection of skin, promoting full recovery and preventing reinfection.

How It Works

How Laser Fungal Nail Treatment Works

Laser fungal nail treatment uses controlled laser energy directed through the nail plate to target fungal infection within the affected nail.

At rtwskin, Fotona Nd:YAG laser may be used where appropriate. The aim is to treat the nail environment while allowing healthier nail growth to appear gradually over time.

The laser does not instantly remove the damaged nail. Instead, improvement is seen as the treated nail grows out and clearer nail replaces the affected area.

The number of sessions needed depends on nail thickness, severity, number of nails affected and individual response.

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Benefits

How Is the Procedure Performed?

Your appointment begins with a nail assessment and discussion of your symptoms, previous treatments and medical history.
The treatment process
Nail assessment
Your practitioner examines the affected nail or nails and checks whether laser treatment appears suitable.м
Nail preparation
Thickened nail may need to be reduced or prepared so the laser can reach the affected area more effectively.
Laser treatment
Laser energy is applied to the affected nail or nails in a controlled way.
Aftercare advice
You receive guidance on foot hygiene, footwear, socks, nail care and how to reduce the risk of reinfection.
Treatment course planning
Your practitioner will explain whether further sessions or review appointments are recommended.
The treatment plan is personalised according to the severity of the infection and the number of nails involved.

What Symptoms Can Laser Fungal Nail Treatment Help With?

Laser fungal nail treatment may be considered for nails affected by suspected fungal infection, including:

Thickened toenails
Yellow or brown discolouration
Brittle or crumbly nail edges
Distorted nail shape
Flaky debris under the nail
Nail lifting or separation
Recurrent fungal nail concerns
Nails that have not improved with topical products alone

Laser treatment is not suitable for every nail problem. If your nail changes are caused by trauma, psoriasis or another condition, a different treatment pathway may be needed.

When Will My Nail Look Clearer?

Fungal nail treatment results take time because the damaged part of the nail has to grow out.

You may not see a clear visual improvement immediately after treatment. A healthier-looking nail gradually appears from the base as the nail grows. Toenails grow slowly, so visible change may take several months.

The final appearance depends on:

the severity of the infection;
nail thickness;
how many nails are affected;
nail growth speed;
aftercare;
footwear and hygiene habits;
recurrence risk.

Some nails may remain thicker or irregular even after the infection improves, especially if there has been long-term damage. Patient-facing NHS resources also note that fungal nail infections can take a long time to treat.

A medical practitioner at rtwskin clinic preparing a specialized laser device for a fungal nail treatment session.

How Many Laser Sessions Are Needed?

The number of laser sessions depends on the severity of the fungal nail infection, nail thickness, the number of nails treated and your response to treatment.

Some patients may require a short course, while more established or widespread fungal nail infection may need multiple sessions and review.

Your practitioner will advise on:

how many sessions are recommended;
how far apart appointments should be;
whether nail preparation is needed;
when progress should be reviewed;
how to reduce the risk of reinfection.

Laser treatment for fungal nails has shown promising results in published research, but larger studies are still needed to establish its role as a standard treatment option.

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Treatment Process

Consultation – Nail and skin assessment
Test Patch – Safety evaluation 24h before treatment
Session One – Dual-laser fungal therapy
Follow-up Sessions – Every 2 weeks for up to 6-8 sessions
Review and Aftercare – Monitor growth and progres
Prevention Advice – Hygiene tips and anti-fungal

Post-Treatment Care

Keep feet clean and dry – moisture can encourage fungal growth.
Wear clean, breathable socks and shoes. Change socks daily.
Disinfect footwear regularly with antifungal sprays or UV shoe sanitisers.
Apply antifungal creams or sprays if recommended by your practitioner.
Contact us if redness or tenderness persists

Our team remains available throughout the healing process to guide and support your recovery.

Laser Fungal Nail Treatment vs Tablets and Topical Treatments

There is no single best treatment for every fungal nail infection. The right option depends on the severity of the infection, the number of nails affected, medical history and whether the fungal infection has been confirmed.

Option	How it works	Key considerations
Laser treatment	Uses laser energy directed through the nail plate	May be suitable for selected patients who want a non-oral treatment pathway
Topical treatments	Applied directly to the nail	Often require long-term use and may be less suitable for thick or advanced infection
Oral antifungal tablets	Treat fungal infection systemically	May be effective but require medical suitability checks and can involve liver-related monitoring

Laser treatment may be considered where suitable, but it should not be presented as automatically better than tablets or topical treatment for every patient.

Why Choose Fungal Nail Treatment at rtwskin?

We are one of the few clinics in the region offering dual-laser fungal therapy, combining medical precision with cosmetic results. Whether you’re dealing with recurring infection or seeking thick nails treatment, we tailor your plan to deliver clear, lasting outcomes.

If you’re searching for laser fungal nail treatment near me, our Tunbridge Wells-based clinic offers private, professional care with no waiting lists.

As part of our wider dermatological expertise in Infectious Skin Diseases, we also assist clients dealing with persistent skin infections and related conditions. In some cases, nail changes may be associated with verrucas or warts-we’re able to provide parallel care through our Wart and Verucca services.

"Entrance to rtwskin clinic at Cobden House Medical Centre in Tunbridge Wells, Kent"

See what our clients say

Patient reviews can provide insight into the consultation, treatment and aftercare experience at rtwskin.

Individual results, treatment courses and recovery experiences vary. Use only genuine verified reviews and do not edit them in a way that changes the patient’s meaning.

Dr. Fatima made sure I felt comfortable and calmed my nerves when I went for a mole check and removal. Dr. Fatima provided an easy, pleasant experience and was lovely – I would recommend her to everyone! Thank you!

Anca
All the staff here are excellent. Professional, friendly and extremely knowledgable. I highly recommend.

N McKie
The staff here are warm and freindly , the doctors are very in the know and felt completely at ease the after care is fantastic can not fault them thank you rtw skin and a special thank you to Fatima

Tanya Hammond

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Before / after

Fungal Nail Treatment Before/After

Progress photographs can help show how fungal nail treatment results develop over time.

Unlike many skin treatments, fungal nail improvement is gradual because the damaged nail must grow out and be replaced by healthier nail.

Before After

Financing your purchase

We’ve got you covered, as we have finance options available for people with varying circumstances. rtwskin believes that you shouldn’t have to pinch your pockets to be able to purchase our products. You can pay in affordable monthly instalments to better suit your needs and budget.

To help you purchase from rtwskin, we have partnered with Kandoo, a regulated credit broker to offer all our customers a range of highly flexible finance options. Kandoo is a comparison service that searches to find you the best Personal Loan option that’s right for you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a fungal nail infection?

A fungal nail infection is an infection affecting the nail plate or nail bed. It can make the nail thickened, discoloured, brittle, crumbly or distorted.

How do I know if my nail is fungal?

A fungal nail may look yellow, brown, white, thick, crumbly or misshapen. However, similar changes can be caused by trauma, psoriasis, eczema or pressure from footwear, so assessment is important.

Can laser treat fungal toenails?

Laser treatment may be considered for suitable fungal toenail infections. It uses controlled laser energy directed through the nail plate.

Does laser treatment clear the nail immediately?

No. The damaged nail does not become clear immediately. Improvement appears gradually as healthier nail grows out.

How many sessions will I need?

The number of sessions depends on nail thickness, severity, number of nails affected and your response to treatment. A course may be recommended.

Is laser fungal nail treatment painful?

Most patients tolerate treatment well, but heat or discomfort may be felt during laser application. Sensitivity varies between patients.

Can fungal nail infection come back?

Yes. Fungal nail infection can recur, especially if athlete’s foot, damp footwear, shared nail tools or reinfection risks are not addressed.

What should I do after treatment?

Keep feet clean and dry, change socks regularly, avoid sharing nail tools, disinfect footwear where appropriate and follow your practitioner’s aftercare advice.

Is laser better than tablets?

Not for everyone. Laser treatment, topical products and oral antifungal tablets each have benefits and limitations. The right option depends on the severity of infection and your medical suitability.

Do I need nail testing?

Testing may be advised in some cases, especially if the diagnosis is uncertain or if another treatment pathway is being considered.

Can thick nails be treated?

Thickened nails may be suitable for treatment, but they may need preparation or thinning before laser treatment.

How long does it take for a toenail to grow out?

Toenails grow slowly, so visible improvement can take several months. The timeline depends on nail growth speed and the extent of nail damage.

How much does laser fungal nail treatment cost?

The cost depends on the number of nails treated, whether one or both feet are affected, and how many sessions are recommended.

Is fungal nail treatment available in Tunbridge Wells?

Yes. rtwskin offers laser fungal nail consultations and treatment at the clinic in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.