At Kent Skin & Laser Clinic, our consultant dermatologist-led team can assess your nails, confirm the diagnosis and recommend a suitable treatment plan, including laser treatment. Based in Canterbury, we welcome patients from across Kent, including Whitstable, Herne Bay, Faversham, Ashford, Folkestone, Dover, Deal and the surrounding areas.
What is a Fungal Nail Infection?
A fungal nail infection happens when a fungus gets into the nail and the skin beneath it. It is common, and the toenails are affected more often than the fingernails. Signs can include:
- Thickened nails
- Discoloured nails, often white, yellow or brown
- Crumbly or brittle nails
- Nails that lift away from the nail bed
- More than one nail being affected
Fungal infections can spread between nails and, less commonly, to other people, particularly in shared places such as swimming pools and changing rooms. Damp footwear can also make reinfection more likely. Other nail conditions can look very similar, so confirming the diagnosis first helps to make sure you receive the right treatment. Infections can take several months to clear, as the nail needs time to grow out.
Our Approach to Fungal Nail Treatment
We start with the right diagnosis, and then agree a plan that suits you.
Confirming the Diagnosis
Where needed, the diagnosis can be confirmed with a test arranged through your GP, or with a nail sample taken at the clinic and sent to the laboratory. There is an additional lab fee of £150, and our team will explain this when you book.
Laser Treatment
Our laser treatment follows a structured protocol. It begins with three monthly laser sessions. This is followed by a three month break, which allows the nail to grow out so that genuine progress can be seen. You then return for a review appointment, where we assess the result and confirm whether further treatment is needed.
Advice on Reducing Reinfection
Your clinician can advise on practical steps such as footwear, foot hygiene and shared areas, which can help to reduce the chance of the infection returning.
Why Choose Kent Skin & Laser Clinic?
Our clinic offers medical assessment and laser treatment for nail problems in a clinical setting. Patients choose us because we provide:
- Consultant dermatologist-led care, with laser treatment overseen by Dr Mark Hudson-Peacock, Consultant Dermatologist and the clinic's Laser Protection Supervisor
- A confirmed diagnosis before treatment, wherever possible
- Medical-grade laser systems
- A clear, structured treatment protocol with a planned review
- Experienced laser practitioners, many of whom have been with the clinic for years
Based in Canterbury, we welcome patients from across Kent, including Whitstable, Herne Bay, Faversham, Ashford, Folkestone, Dover, Deal and the surrounding areas.
What Happens at the Appointment?
Your appointment begins with an assessment of the affected nail. During the consultation, we will:
- Examine your nails
- Ask about your history and any treatments you have already tried
- Discuss whether a sample is needed to confirm the infection
- Advise on the most suitable treatment
- Explain how long clearance may take
Laser sessions are short, usually 15 to 30 minutes depending on how many nails are being treated, and there is minimal downtime afterwards, so most people can return to normal activities.
The full laser protocol runs over several months, and the price is charged per session: £250 for up to 3 nails or £300 for 4 or more nails. Because nails grow slowly, improvement becomes fully visible only as the healthy nail grows out, so patience is needed. If you would like a broader skin or nail assessment, our dermatology consultation is also available.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my nail infection is fungal?
Fungal nail infections typically cause thickening, discolouration and crumbling of the nail. Other nail conditions can look similar, so a proper assessment by our team, with a sample where needed, can confirm the diagnosis.
Why is diagnosis important before starting treatment?
Not all nail changes are caused by fungus, and treating the wrong condition can delay the right care. Confirming the diagnosis first helps make sure you receive the right treatment from the start.
How long does treatment take to work?
Fungal nail infections can be slow to clear, often taking several months, because the nail needs to grow out fully before improvement is visible. Our protocol includes a three month break after the laser sessions before your review appointment. Individual results vary.
Can fungal nail infections come back?
Yes, particularly if the underlying cause, such as damp footwear or shared communal areas, is not addressed alongside treatment. Your clinician can advise on reducing the chance of reinfection.
Is a fungal nail infection contagious?
It can spread to other nails or, less commonly, to other people, particularly in shared environments such as swimming pools or changing rooms. Good foot hygiene is worth discussing at your appointment.
Book this treatment
Price
£250 per session (up to 3 nails), £300 per session (4 or more nails)
Fees
A Dermatology consultation is required first. Lab confirmation is required before treatment. Nail samples can be sent from the GP surgery or sent off from the clinic. Additional lab fee is £150
Appointment
15 to 30 minutes
Downtime
Minimal
Related treatments
