If you’ve been dealing with stubborn toenail fungus, causing your nails to be thick, discolored, or brittle, nails that won’t respond to creams or medications, you’ve likely heard about the PinPointe FootLaser as a solution. But what does the research really say about its effectiveness?

At Laser Nail Therapy, we offer FDA-cleared PinPointe laser treatments and want to help you understand how effective this option can be, what to expect, and whether it might be the right treatment for you.

What Is the PinPointe FootLaser?

The PinPointe FootLaser is a specialized Nd: YAG laser system designed for treating toenail fungus (onychomycosis). It delivers laser energy safely through the nail to reach the nail bed, where the fungal infection lives. This treatment kills fungus without harming the surrounding skin or healthy nail tissue.

Our device is FDA-cleared for a temporary increase in clear nails in patients with fungal nail infections. As a non-invasive, in-office procedure, it offers patients a medication-free alternative with minimal discomfort and virtually no downtime. In addition to the treatment, our doctors have come up with a regimen for patients to follow to prevent future infections.

How the Laser Treatment Works

Our treatment process uses laser light focused to gently heat the nail bed and target fungal cells where they live, under the nail. The heat kills the fungus, helping stop its growth and allowing new, healthy nail to grow in over time.

Because the laser penetrates the nail plate, it can reach fungal infection deep beneath the surface. That makes laser treatment especially helpful for moderate to severe infections or thick nails that block topical penetration. Usually, topical creams and lacquers are not able to penetrate through the nail to get to the root of the infection hiding in the nail bed.

What Does the Clinical Evidence Say?

Several clinical and practice-based reports have evaluated the efficacy of the PinPointe laser for toenail fungus.

FDA 510(k) data

In the FDA clearance summary for the PinPointe FootLaser, clinical studies demonstrated that the device was safe and effective for increasing clear nail at 6–12 months after treatment in patients with onychomycosis.

In simple terms, in the studied group, many patients had clearer nails and less visible infections months after treatment.

Published white paper and retrospective data

A retrospective study using the PinPointe micropulsed Nd: YAG laser reported:

  • Patients who received one treatment showed roughly 50% clear nail growth at follow-up.

  • Patients who received an additional follow-up treatment experienced around 70–71% clear nail growth and a similar reduction in lesion (infected) area.

While this is not a huge randomized trial, it’s encouraging real-world data showing that many patients achieve substantial improvement after treatment.

Practice-based clinical experience

Some podiatry practices report high rates of improvement in patients treated with PinPointe laser, with more than 80% of treated nails showing better clarity or growth in their own internal data.

These numbers can vary by clinic, patient population, and how “success” is defined, but they support what we see in our own patients: most people notice meaningful improvement in nail appearance and health over time.

What about systematic reviews?

Systematic reviews of laser treatment for nail fungus note that while many studies suggest benefit, the overall research base still needs more large, high-quality trials.

In other words:

  • Existing evidence supports that lasers like PinPointe can be effective, but researchers continue to study them to better define ideal protocols, the number of sessions, and long-term outcomes.

How PinPointe Laser Compares to Other Toenail Fungus Treatments

When you’re deciding on toenail fungus treatment, it helps to see where the PinPointe laser fits in.

Topical Medication

  • Often struggle to penetrate thick or severe infections

  • Require daily application for many months

  • Clinical cure rates tend to be very low

Oral antifungal medications

  • Can be effective, but requires weeks to months of treatment

  • May need liver function monitoring and have potential long-term liver damage side effects

  • Not appropriate for everyone (certain medical conditions or other medications may rule them out)

PinPointe FootLaser

  • Targets the fungus exactly where it lives, under the nail

  • No side effects

  • No pain and no downtime

  • Can be used for patients who have failed oral medication or cannot take it

For many people, especially those who have tried other options without success, the efficacy of the PinPointe laser plus its safety profile make it a very appealing choice.

What Can Patients Expect

It’s important to have realistic expectations when starting any medical treatment. It’s important to remember that toenails grow slowly, so clear results take time. In many cases:

  • Improvement begins gradually as a new, healthy nail grows out
  • A completely clear-looking nail may take 6–12 months, depending on nail growth rate
  • A follow-up may be needed for severe or more severe infections
  • Good aftercare and hygiene increase the chances of long-term successful results

Many patients notice reduced discoloration, less thickening, and overall healthier-looking nails after the first 6 months. However, no treatment, laser or otherwise, can guarantee instant results or 100% success, especially for severe cases.

Are you a candidate for PinPointe Laser Treatment?

PinPointe FootLaser tends to work best when:

  • The fungal infection is persistent and hasn’t responded to creams or over-the-counter products
  • The nails are thick, discolored, or difficult to trim
  • Patients want to avoid systemic medications (or cannot take them)
  • Patients can follow aftercare instructions: good foot hygiene, clean socks/shoes, and preventive measures

During a consultation, our doctor will evaluate your nails, overall health, and history to recommend the best treatment plan for you.

How We Maximize Success with Laser Treatment

To give laser treatment the best chance of success, we combine technology with expert care and aftercare guidance:

  • Comprehensive nail evaluation to confirm fungus and rule out other conditions
  • Nail thinning/debridement when needed. This helps laser light reach the fungal area more effectively
  • Personalized treatment plans: number of sessions, follow-up frequency, and aftercare tailored to the patient
  • Aftercare instructions, including shoe disinfection, moisture control, and foot hygiene
  • Prevention guidance to reduce the risk of reinfection

The Bottom Line

The PinPointe FootLaser treatment is a proven, FDA-cleared option that offers many advantages over traditional fungus treatments. While no treatment offers a 100% guarantee, our laser therapy provides a safe, non-invasive pathway to clearer, healthier nails, often with visible improvements over months.

Interested in Seeing if PinPointe Is Right for You?

Schedule a free consultation with Laser Nail Therapy to get a personalized evaluation and treatment plan. Let’s work together to restore healthy nails.