What laser freq. and power will penetrate a toenail ?

[BlueHoleDiver]

Lasers are now being used to treat toenail fungus, vids on the web.

I'm not a fat cat who can afford these doctors, prefer to experiment my self with short bursts each day to see if I can treat myself (I do wear my laser glasses)

Do IR lasers penetrate keratin / protein better than green laser ?

What MW power recommended ?

A friend who does laser shows told me I need an UV laser.

 

[BowtieGuy]

There are no medical docters here, and we don't recommend treating yourself with lasers of any power, especially one in the MW range!

Please make a welcome thread and introduce yourself.

 

[CurtisOliver]

Please just get off the counter anti fungal treatment. Don't have to be a 'fat cat' to afford it.
I do not recommend you pointing lasers at your toes without any medical experience or the right tools.
Oh by the way, it's mW not MW. You wouldn't have any toes left otherwise.

And lastly, true UV lasers are very expensive to obtain.

 

[Radim]

Lasers are now being used to treat toenail fungus, vids on the web.

I'm not a fat cat who can afford these doctors, prefer to experiment my self with short bursts each day to see if I can treat myself (I do wear my laser glasses)

Do IR lasers penetrate keratin / protein better than green laser ?

What MW power recommended ?

A friend who does laser shows told me I need an UV laser.

Sorry, but if you think about such a use of lasers, you should not get any. It is too dangerous. High powered lasers will leave you with pain, badly healing injury and scars... I strongly discourage you from doing any experiments with lasers on your body.

I have some (quite extensive) experience with medical lasers and these are completely different from what people here use. Medical lasers are expensive for reason - there are special controlling units and optics (and of course the lasers itself) to meet the purpose they are designed to. In adition there is doctor's expertise needed to set the system and treatment exactly for the problem you are having (if wrong even medical laser can hurt you). All this is in that fee they ask.

And yes as said many times here, lasers are not always the best solution (even those doctors who took the loans to finance their expensive lasers say you otherwise). Get some basic knowledge about your health issues and choose best solution (again it may or may not involve MEDICAL laser).

Roughly said, you can see lasers as radioactivity, even radioactive material is used in medicine, harmless and useful in some cases, but some kind of radioactive materials exposure can kill you in days or even minutes.

Your health, your decision, your responsibility... Just do not make anything stupid as trying to heal yourself with some laser not designed for medical use and without proper medical assistance (you will very likely become another example laser accident and possibly get nomination for Darwin Award).

Check this site for more: Laser Pointer Safety - A comprehensive resource, for safe and responsible laser use

 

[CurtisOliver]

Good response Radim.
To be honest i'm not sure this thread was worth your time.

 

[Radim]

Good response Radim.
To be honest i'm not sure this thread was worth your time.

Even if that was troll, someone else with the same stupid idea might read that and "get inspired". We cannot afford lasers to be misused, Oliver. Our hobby is suffering (just customs issues tell the stories) from laser accidents caused by lack of information (aka treating lasers as fancy flashlights), deliberate misuse, etc. If lasers are regulated beyond reasonable level, than we can just say RIP to our hobby (if we want to stay legal) and RIP to developement of future technology in this area or at least it would slow down a lot IMO.

 

[CurtisOliver]

We cannot afford lasers to be misused, Oliver. Our hobby is suffering (just customs issues tell the stories) from laser accidents caused by lack of information (aka treating lasers as fancy flashlights), deliberate misuse, etc. If lasers are regulated beyond reasonable level, than we can just say RIP to our hobby (if we want to stay legal) and RIP to developement of future technology in this area or at least it would slow down a lot IMO.

True.

 

[brucemir]

Bowtieguy,
Why don't you let him borrow your Goldenstar. I would think that would work.

 

[RA_pierce]

You guys are over-reacting.
The answer to the original question is: 1000mW 260nm.
The idea is to have a short enough wavelength to interact with DNA and enough power to ensure that the fungus is fully exposed.
No, there is no possibility of side-effects.*





*This is a joke. Not medical advice. This is a really bad idea.

 

[Radim]

You guys are over-reacting.
The answer to the original question is: 1000mW 260nm.
The idea is to have a short enough wavelength to interact with DNA and enough power to ensure that the fungus is fully exposed.
No, there is no possibility of side-effects.*





*This is a joke. Not medical advice. This is a really bad idea.

LOL. :crackup:
BTW: Good you added disclaimer.

Bowtieguy,
Why don't you let him borrow your Goldenstar. I would think that would work.

Goldenstar? Have I missed something? (Edit: Now I see... )

Even my Opto 532 nm 1.4+ W could do a great job in evaporating material of toe leaving nice hole for life. People could put piercings there. Maybe I'll open a studio. :crackup:

 

[BowtieGuy]

Calling Dr. Pierce, calling Dr. Pierce! :crackup:

@brucemir - The Goldenstar would work, but the OP's MW power laser would work much quicker; remove the fungus, remove the toe, and cauterize the wound all in one easy step!

Edit: Radim, I see the artist in you coming out, you're already thinking of accessorizing with piercings!

 

[CurtisOliver]

:crackup:
I’m going to get myself some snacks and beverages. op:

 

[Alaskan]

Guys, I hope no one minds, but I'm going to close this thread due to the medical advice asked. To me, it is just a variation of the HMT eye threads.