Battling Toenail Fungus
If you’ve been battling toenail fungus, you know that successful treatment can take a while. Weeks and months of crumbly, brittle, discolored nails can be discouraging, but fungus is often tough to beat. Whether you’re using antifungal medication, surgery, or another treatment option, you’ll be ready to breathe a sigh of relief when the course is finally complete.
Once your toenail fungus treatment is done, it’s time to focus on the aesthetics of your toenails! Unfortunately, getting rid of the fungus doesn’t immediately “fix” the appearance of your nails. It can take time and effort to get your nails looking their best again. Some nails will never completely return to the way they looked before the fungus. Especially if surgery was involved, your nail may be permanently affected. However, getting rid of the fungus, by any means necessary, is advisable if you’re concerned about the way your nails look. It’s the best way to prevent even worse disfiguration in the long run.
Laser Treatment for Nail Fungus in NYC: Minimally Invasive Procedures
How Can You Improve Your Nail’s Appearance After Completing Toenail Fungus Treatment?
Manhattan’s Best Podiatrist Explains
Read on to discover a few strategies that have helped many patients regain their confidence. If you’re eager to get back to sandals, lie barefoot on the beach, and feel good about the way your nails look again, these tips are for you!
1. Use Antifungal Nail Polish For An Instant Coverup
If you’re still battling nail fungus, you might be looking down at your feet and wishing for an instant fix. Especially if you’re planning an event or trip that involves going barefoot, you sometimes need a way to cover up the problem for a while. Wearing traditional nail polish may only make the problem worse. The good news is that antifungal nail polish can hide your fungal infection while helping to cure it, too!
Always consult with your doctor before wearing an antifungal polish. In some cases, it may only make the problem worse. However, if your podiatrist gives you the green light, you can incorporate it into your treatment plan. Some antifungal polish treatments need to be removed and reapplied daily, so make sure to follow instructions carefully. You can use a colored polish over your clear treatment to make your nails look pretty.
It’s a lot of work to remove and reapply your clear antifungal polish, along with colored polish, every single day. Fortunately, you can also purchase colored antifungal polish, turning a two-step process into a one-step process. However, not all colored antifungal options are created equal. Be sure to check with your podiatrist about whether this option will do more harm than good in your case.
2. Renew Your Look With Cosmetic Toenail Restoration
Are you tired of looking at thin, crumbling nails, even after you beat your fungal infection? If so, it might be time for a restoration. Professional nail restoration systems can remodel the structure of your nail, so it will look more like it did before all of this happened. These solutions are professionally applied in a clinical setting. They bend and feel like real nails, and they can usually offer substantial changes in just one visit.
The procedure is painless, and although it won’t cure or solve existing issues, it also won’t harm your nail health. You can paint your restored nails just like real nails! Cosmetic restoration can improve the shape, color, and texture of your nails, and the results are often stunning.
3. Podiatric Maintenance | Professional Maintenance Manhattan NYC
When you think of getting a pedicure, you might think of a fancy nail salon. It’s fun to look at row after row of brightly-colored nail polish on the wall. A pedicure in a massage chair with color-changing spa lights can also feel luxurious and special. However, not every salon is equipped to care for your nails safely. Improper cutting techniques and sanitation problems can put your health at risk. The good news? A nail salon isn’t the only place you can get cosmetic maintenance done on your feet!
Did you know your podiatrist can offer services to make your feet look better? If your nails are thick, discolored, or textured, your podiatrist can use a burr tool to flatten and smooth your nail surface. This procedure often removes unwanted staining from fungal infections, too. Your podiatrist can treat rough skin on your heels, too, so your whole foot will look and feel rejuvenated.
Be careful about trying to replicate these treatments at home. Trying to trim down excessive nail thickness or unsightly coloration can lead to an accident you’ll regret. Professional tools and experience make the process safer and more effective. It’s worthwhile to leave it to your podiatric team!
4. Be Vigilant About Preventing Future Infections
Once you’ve finally conquered your existing toenail fungus, the last thing you need is a new infection. It’s important to consider how you may have gotten your last infection, and what you’ll need to change going forward. Pinpoint laser treatments can be done at your podiatrist’s office every 2-4 months. This can help prevent recurring infections.
When it comes to at-home care, it’s wise to take precautions like wearing flip-flops in public showers. You should also keep track of all the shoes and socks you wore while you had toenail fungus. Your footwear will need to be disinfected since the fungus can live in it and return to your nails. You can purchase various cleaning tools online, but ask your podiatrist for advice on choosing the best one.
It might seem obvious, but keeping your feet clean is important after treatment. Many people fail to carefully scrub their feet when they’re bathing. It’s easy to assume that your feet will get plenty of water and soap running over them, just from standing in the shower for a while. However, you should clean your feet thoroughly every time you bathe. If you see any signs of a returning fungal infection, be sure to contact your podiatrist right away.
Dangers of Untreated Toenail Fungus
Call Us to Book an Appointment in Manhattan NYC
Are you concerned about how your toenails look after toenail fungus treatment? Best Foot Doctor NY can help! Contact us today to set up an appointment. Our staff can help you choose the best medical treatments or cosmetic procedures for your situation.