Nail Restoration Treatment in Las Vegas
Restore confidence with healthy, beautiful nails. Our board-certified podiatric surgeons offer advanced nail restoration treatments for fungal infections, damaged nails, and cosmetic concerns.
Condition Overview
Understanding Nail Problems & Restoration
Toenail problems affect millions of people, causing embarrassment, discomfort, and limiting footwear choices. Whether caused by fungal infections, trauma, improper nail care, or underlying health conditions, damaged or discolored nails can significantly impact your confidence and quality of life.
Fungal nail infections (onychomycosis) are the most common nail disorder, causing nails to become thick, discolored, brittle, and distorted. Trauma from sports, tight shoes, or injury can lead to permanent nail damage, discoloration, or deformity. Without proper treatment, these conditions worsen over time and become increasingly difficult to treat.
At The Foot Docs in Las Vegas, we specialize in comprehensive nail restoration using the latest evidence-based treatments. Our board-certified surgeons combine medical expertise with advanced technologies including laser therapy, prescription medications, and surgical solutions when needed. We don’t just treat the symptoms—we identify underlying causes and create personalized treatment plans to restore your nails to their natural, healthy appearance. Whether you’re dealing with stubborn fungal infections or cosmetic nail concerns, we help you achieve beautiful, healthy nails you’ll be proud to show.
Symptoms and Signs
Conditions That Respond to Laser Therapy
- Thickened, hardened nails difficult to trim
- Yellow, brown, or white discoloration
- Brittle, crumbly, or ragged nail edges
- Distorted nail shape or texture
- Debris buildup under the nail
- Separation of nail from nail bed
- Permanent discoloration from injury or trauma
- Ridged, bumpy, or irregular nail surface
- Missing or partially missing nails
- Ingrown toenails causing pain and infection
- Split or cracked nails
- Nails that grow abnormally thick or thin
Don’t let chronic pain limit your life…
Treatment Options
Advanced Nail Restoration Solutions in Las Vegas
We offer multiple proven treatments tailored to your specific nail condition.
Laser Nail Therapy
- FDA-cleared laser treatment delivers concentrated light energy that penetrates nails and destroys fungal organisms without damaging healthy tissue. Painless, non-invasive sessions with no medications or side effects. Typically requires 3-4 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart. Healthy nail grows in over 6-12 months as infected nail is replaced. High success rates with no recovery time.
Prescription Antifungal Medications
- Oral medications for moderate to severe infections attack fungus systemically. Most effective option for extensive infections, though requires liver function monitoring. Topical treatments include medical-grade lacquers applied directly to nails for mild infections or maintenance. Often combined with laser therapy for enhanced results.
Surgical Solutions
- For severe or resistant cases: Partial nail removal removes infected portions while preserving healthy tissue. Complete nail removal allows direct treatment of nail bed for chronically infected nails. Permanent removal (matrixectomy) for recurrent ingrown nails. Quick in-office procedures under local anesthesia with minimal downtime.
Medical Nail Debridement
- Professional thinning, cleaning, and reduction of thickened nails. Removes debris buildup, smooths irregular surfaces, and improves medication penetration. Essential for comprehensive treatment, especially for diabetic patients.
Cosmetic Nail Restoration
- KeryFlex System creates natural-looking prosthetic nails for cosmetic improvement during healing. Flexible, durable artificial nail lasts 6-8 weeks, can be polished, and allows nail bed to heal underneath. Perfect for immediate cosmetic improvement or special events.
Prevention & Long-Term Care
- Comprehensive education on proper nail care, footwear selection, preventing reinfection, and maintaining healthy nails for lasting results.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
We know you have questions before your visit. Find quick, helpful information about our services, appointment scheduling, insurance, and what to expect from your treatment.
How long does it take to cure a fungal nail infection?
Complete nail restoration takes time because healthy nail must grow out to replace infected nail. Toenails grow slowly—about 1mm per month—so full regrowth takes 9-18 months depending on which toe is affected. However, you’ll see progressive improvement as new healthy nail grows. With laser therapy, the fungus is typically killed within 3-4 treatments, but waiting for complete nail replacement requires patience. Results are worth the wait for clear, healthy nails.
Why are fungal nail infections so hard to treat?
Fungal infections are challenging because the fungus lives deep within and under the nail, protected by the hard nail plate that blocks most topical medications. Fungi are also resilient organisms that thrive in the dark, moist environment inside shoes. Many over-the-counter treatments can’t penetrate effectively. Professional treatments like our laser therapy and prescription medications reach the fungus where it lives, providing much higher success rates than store-bought products.
Is laser treatment for nail fungus painful?
No. Most patients describe feeling gentle warmth during treatment, but no pain. The laser specifically targets fungal cells while leaving healthy tissue unharmed. There’s no anesthesia needed, no recovery time, and you can walk out and resume normal activities immediately. Treatment sessions last about 30 minutes depending on how many nails are affected. It’s one of the most comfortable and convenient fungal nail treatment options available.
Can nail fungus come back after treatment?
Reinfection is possible if preventive measures aren’t followed. Fungal spores exist in the environment—especially in warm, moist places like gyms, pools, and showers. After successful treatment, we provide detailed prevention strategies including proper foot hygiene, treating shoes and socks, keeping feet dry, choosing breathable footwear, and recognizing early signs of reinfection. Following these guidelines significantly reduces recurrence risk. Many patients maintain long-term clear nails with proper prevention.
Do I need to throw away all my shoes?
Not necessarily. We recommend treating shoes rather than replacing everything. Antifungal sprays and UV shoe sanitizers kill fungal spores in footwear. Focus on treating shoes worn most frequently, especially athletic shoes and closed-toe styles. Replace old, worn shoes that harbor moisture. Sandals and shoes that allow ventilation pose less reinfection risk. We provide specific shoe care recommendations as part of your treatment plan.
Will my insurance cover nail restoration treatments?
Coverage depends on your plan and whether treatment is deemed medically necessary. Fungal infections causing pain, secondary infection, or complications (especially in diabetic patients) are often covered. Purely cosmetic treatments may not be covered. Laser therapy coverage varies widely by insurance provider. We verify your benefits before treatment and provide cost estimates upfront. Many patients find the investment worthwhile for healthy, presentable nails.
Are over-the-counter fungal treatments effective?
Over-the-counter products have limited effectiveness for established fungal nail infections. They may work for very mild, early-stage infections affecting only the nail surface, but most fungal infections penetrate too deeply for OTC treatments to reach. Success rates are significantly lower than professional treatments. If you’ve been using OTC products for several months without improvement, professional treatment is recommended. The longer fungal infections persist, the harder they become to treat.
Can I wear nail polish during treatment?
This depends on the treatment method. During laser therapy, nails must be completely clean and polish-free for effective light penetration. With oral medications, you can typically wear polish. However, we generally recommend avoiding polish during active treatment as it traps moisture and can worsen fungal growth. Breathable, antifungal nail polishes are available as alternatives. After treatment is complete and nails are healthy, you can resume normal nail polish use.
What's the difference between yellow nails and fungal infection?
While yellowing is a common fungal infection symptom, not all discolored nails are fungal. Yellow nails can result from nail polish staining, smoking, certain medications, psoriasis, or other conditions. Professional diagnosis is essential. We perform clinical examination and may take nail samples for laboratory testing to confirm fungal infection before starting treatment. Accurate diagnosis ensures you receive the right treatment for your specific condition.
Ready for Relief?
If foot or ankle pain is holding you back, our board-certified Las Vegas podiatrists are here to provide the expert solution you need.