If you’ve been dealing with a pesky case of toenail fungus, you have probably asked yourself the same question many others have:
“How long does it take to get rid of toenail fungus?”
The truth is, getting rid of toenail fungus is a timely process; however, with laser nail therapy, you can clear the infection and get healthy nails back faster than you might think. At Laser Nail Therapy, we specialize in treating stubborn fungal infections with advanced laser technology that targets the fungus directly at its source.
Here’s what to expect with your treatment timeline, healing, and how to speed up your recovery.
Why Toenail Fungus Takes Time to Treat
Toenail fungus isn’t just sitting on the surface of your nail. It’s buried deep underneath the nail plate and in the nail bed. Topical treatments often struggle to reach that area, which is why many over-the-counter creams or polishes fail to fully eliminate the infection.
Your nail also grows slowly, especially toenails. Even once the fungus is destroyed, the damaged, discolored portion of the nail needs to grow out. Toenails grow slowly, about 1–2 millimeters per month. It can take 12–18 months for a toenail to grow out completely. This means that even with the best treatment, visible improvement happens gradually as a healthy nail replaces the infected nail.
How Long Does It Take to Get Rid of Toenail Fungus? Comparing Treatment Options:
1. Laser Therapy (PinPointe™ FootLaser®)
At our clinic, we use the PinPointe™ FootLaser®: a safe, FDA-cleared laser. This device is designed to treat toenail fungus by sending focused light through the nail to kill the fungus underneath. This process does not harm any surrounding tissue.
Why patients love laser therapy:
- Non-invasive and painless, with most patients feeling only slight warmth during treatment.
- Quick treatments (usually under one hour).
- No medication interactions or side effects.
- No downtime — you can resume normal activities immediately.
How long until the results? After treatment, you will begin to see a new, clear nail grow out as the fungus is cleared. Most patients see a noticeable improvement after 6–12 months. Of course, this depends on how quickly your nails grow and the severity of the infection. While it may not be an instant fix, it is a highly effective, safe, and medication-free option.
2. Oral Antifungal Medications
Prescription oral medications like terbinafine (Lamisil) are commonly used to treat nail fungus. These medications circulate in the bloodstream, reaching the fungus through the nail bed.
Pros:
- Often effective, with higher cure rates than most topical treatments.
- Typically taken daily for about 3–4 months.
Considerations:
- Requires liver monitoring and can interact with other medications.
- Some patients experience side effects like headaches, rashes, stomach problems, or even liver failure.
How long until the results? Even after the medication course is completed, it can still take 6–12+ months for the nail to grow out fully and appear clear.
3. Topical Treatments
Topical antifungal treatments (like medicated nail lacquers and creams) are applied directly to the nail.
Pros:
- Safe with minimal risk of side effects.
- No interactions with other medications.
Considerations:
- Requires daily application for up to 48 weeks.
- Less than 10% success rate since the medication struggles to penetrate the thick nail to reach the fungus underneath.
How long until the results? Expect a gradual process, often taking 12–18 months to see full improvement. These results vary depending on the severity of the infection.
Typical Timeline for Toenail Fungus Treatment
Here’s a general timeline of what you can expect with laser nail therapy:
Week 1: The First Session
Laser treatment is fast, painless, and requires no downtime. Many patients report feeling warm sensations during treatment, but no pain. After the session, the fungus is already being weakened and destroyed underneath the nail.
Weeks 2–8: Internal Healing Begins
You won’t see dramatic changes immediately, but behind the scenes, your body is working hard. The laser has killed the fungus, and your new nail is starting to grow from the base.
Months 3–6: Visible Results
This is when most patients begin to notice a clear, healthy nail slowly growing in. The discolored, thickened part of the old nail continues to grow out and can be trimmed back over time.
Months 6–12: Full Regrowth
Depending on how fast your toenails grow and how developed the infection was, it may take 9–12 months to completely grow out the old nail and replace it with a new, clear one.
Factors That Affect Healing Time
Every person’s body is different, and several things can influence how long it takes for your nail to recover fully:
- Severity of the infection (mild vs. advanced)
- Your age
- How quickly do your nails grow
- Circulation in your feet
- Whether you follow proper foot hygiene after treatment
The good news? Laser nail therapy gives you a much better chance at lasting results, especially compared to topical medications. Many OTC topicals may require daily use for over a year, and use of antibiotics may lead to complications with other drugs, resulting in possible liver damage.
Why Laser Nail Therapy Speeds Things Up
At Laser Nail Therapy, we use the FDA-cleared PinPointe™ FootLaser®. This device is designed to safely penetrate through the nail and kill the fungus at its source. This is the most expensive laser on the market, and also carries the highest cure rate. The best part about this type of treatment is that all these benefits come without the side effects of oral medications or the mess of creams.
Benefits of laser nail therapy with us include:
- Quick in-office sessions.
- No downtime or recovery period.
- No pills or bloodwork required.
- High success rates.
- Extremely low chance of reinfection when paired with proper aftercare
Many patients only require one treatment session to get rid of their toenail fungus.
What You Can Do to Support Faster Healing
Want to make sure your treatment works and lasts? Here’s how to help your nails grow back faster and healthier:
- Wear breathable shoes and clean socks daily
- Avoid walking barefoot in public places (gyms, pools, locker rooms)
- Keep your feet dry, especially between the toes
- Disinfect old shoes or replace them
- Trim your nails regularly and clean your clippers
And don’t forget, your diet matters too! Keep an eye out for our blog on foods that help fight toenail fungus for more tips.
You Don’t Have to Wait Forever for Healthy Nails
Toenail fungus can feel like it’s never going to end, but with expert laser treatment and a little patience, your nails can be clear again. The sooner you start treatment, the faster you’ll see results.
At Laser Nail Therapy, we offer free consultations so you can meet with a specialist, ask questions, and get a treatment plan that shows real results.
Contact us today at 1-800-672-0625 to schedule your free consultation.
We’re here to help you get your healthy nails back, one step at a time.
