Thick, yellow, brittle, or lifting toenails can have several causes. At Vertex Podiatry in Columbus, Ohio, Dr. Guy Golan evaluates nail changes before recommending treatment. Trauma, psoriasis, and other nail conditions can resemble fungal infection, so testing may be appropriate.

Vertex Elite Laser: $650 for six laser sessions. Vertex Elite Complete: $775 for six laser sessions plus one home-care kit. Home-care kit separately: $125. Vertex Elite Laser does not include a home-care kit. Vertex Elite Complete includes one home-care kit. Ask our team to confirm the kit contents and instructions. Other recommended products or supportive treatments may cost extra; confirm costs before purchasing.

Why Fungal Nails Can Be Difficult to Treat

Fungal infection can involve the nail plate and the area beneath it. The extent of disease, nail thickness, and slow nail growth can make treatment challenging. Fungi may also persist on surrounding skin or in damp footwear. Reinfection or recurrence can occur even after treatment.

Options may include prescription topical or oral antifungal medication, professional nail care, or laser for selected patients. The choice depends on the diagnosis, health history, interactions, and treatment goals. Laser should not be presented as a guaranteed cure or a proven superior replacement for medication.

How REMY Class IV Laser Fits Into Care

The REMY laser delivers laser energy to the treatment area. Your clinician will review suitability, comfort, precautions, and alternatives before treatment. Heat or discomfort can occur. A clearer-looking nail does not establish that the infection has been eliminated, and improvement may be incomplete or absent.

The 3-Phase Protocol Explained

Both Vertex Elite Laser and Vertex Elite Complete include six REMY laser sessions, organized into the existing three-phase schedule. Complete also includes one home-care kit. Timing may be individualized. Repeated sessions and completion of all six sessions do not guarantee improvement, fungal clearance, or prevention of recurrence.

Phase 1: Knockdown Phase

Sessions 1, 2, and 3 are scheduled every two weeks. These are the initial laser sessions, with review of comfort and nail findings. The phase name does not mean the infection will be eliminated.

Phase 2: Maintenance Phase

Sessions 4 and 5 are scheduled every four weeks. These visits allow review of nail growth and treatment response. Findings may lead to discussion of testing or other treatment options.

Phase 3: The Final Sweep

Session 6 is scheduled four to six weeks after session 5. This is the last planned laser session and an opportunity to reassess next steps. Completing the package does not confirm fungal clearance or mean that further care will not be needed.

Home-Care Kit and Additional Products

Vertex Elite Laser does not include a home-care kit. Vertex Elite Complete includes one home-care kit. Ask our team to confirm the kit contents and instructions. Other recommended products or supportive treatments may cost extra; confirm costs before purchasing. The kit is available separately for $125. The following are general care considerations, not a list of kit contents.

Topical antifungal products: Recommendations depend on your evaluation. Confirm which products are in your kit and the cost of any additional products. Follow the label and your clinician's instructions.
Footwear care: Ask about appropriate cleaning and any recommended products. Footwear hygiene cannot guarantee prevention of recurrence.
Supplements: Do not assume a specific supplement is included in the kit. Discuss suitability and costs before use. Supplements are not antifungal treatment or a proven cure for nail infection.
Everyday hygiene: Keep feet dry, change socks, and clean footwear according to its care instructions. These measures support foot care but do not guarantee treatment success.

What to Expect Over Time

Toenails grow slowly. Any visible change may take months and depends on nail growth, the cause and extent of the nail changes, health factors, and treatment response. No specific clear-nail date, degree of improvement, or cure is guaranteed.

Photographs may help track changes, but appearance alone cannot confirm clearance of infection. New pain, redness, drainage, or rapidly changing discoloration should be evaluated promptly. Your clinician may recommend a different approach if the response is limited.

Schedule Your Vertex Elite Clear Nail Consultation

Discuss whether the six-session program is appropriate for you and ask about the costs of any separately recommended products or treatments before purchasing them. Vertex Elite Clear Nail remains a cosmetic, self-pay service that is not covered by insurance. CareCredit financing is available for qualified patients, subject to the lender's approval and terms.

Schedule an evaluation online, review the Vertex Elite Clear Nail Package, or call (614) 328-5561.