Here’s how Finesse Footcare is eradicating nail fungus, without drugs or cream

By Patricia Nugent

Once fungus infects your toenails, festering deep underneath the nail plate, it can be difficult to treat. Rather than spending time and money on over-the-counter remedies that are largely ineffective, why not consider a few painless laser treatments at Finesse Footcare in Lyndhurst?

Fueled by frustration, practice founder Dr. Danielle Shaper researched emerging technologies to treat fungus and discovered studies that showed the remarkable effectiveness of an FDA-cleared, non-thermal laser treatment called the Lunula.

She introduced it to the area in 2020 and has already purchased a second laser to keep up with demand. It also reduces the time per visit for patients, allowing treatment of both feet at the same time under the laser.

Patients experienced dramatic improvement and healing from thickened, misshapen and discolored nails.

“Although toenail fungus is not an issue that is painful in the beginning, if left untreated, it can lead to pain, difficulty walking, ulcers and infections,” says Dr. Shaper.

Healing Without Downtime
“Made in the USA, this laser is painless and touchless,” she explains. “Patients just position their feet under it for 12 minutes per session. It takes six sessions to show improvement. Being non-thermal is especially important in patients who have diabetes and neuropathy and might not be able to feel the heat of a traditional laser.”

There’s no downtime or restrictions, patients are free to leave Dr. Shaper’s office following treatment and go about their day.

Like a New Pair of Feet
Meet R. Carter. For the past decade, he tried different over-the-counter creams to treat his toenail fungus, but nothing made a difference. Last year, when the 70-year-old saw a story about Dr. Shaper in Mimi Magazine, he thought he’d finally seek professional treatment.

“Dr. Shaper took the time to explain everything and go over my options in a genuine and caring way,” he says. “I noticed a little improvement after the first treatment, then a little more after the next couple treatments, and about nine months after the treatment it was like I had a new pair of feet.”

Steps to Prevent Fungus
Here are few tips Dr. Shaper shares with her patients who may have had a past fungal infection and want to avoid another one:

• Always keep your feet clean and dry. A moist environment is the breeding ground for bacteria.
• Keep your shoes clean. Spray them with an anti-microbial disinfectant to prevent cross-contamination.
• The types of germs that cause fungus infections can spread easily from person to person. Don’t ever share shoes, files or nail clippers with other people.
• Check your toenails daily. Look for color and texture changes. The sooner you detect a fungal infection and seek treatment, the better the outcome.

Fall Sports Injuries
With athletes hitting the fields this month to kick off fall sports season, Dr. Shaper says she’s already seeing related injuries.

She offers several types of durable medical equipment covered by most insurances. This ranges from tapings to night splints, boots, ankle braces and custom orthotics.

“I like to use a taping technique called Low-Dye taping for tendon problems, lower foot issues and shin splints,” says Dr. Shaper. “It’s designed to off-load the plantar fascia and provide medial ankle arch support.”

Finesse Footcare is located at 5035 Mayfield Road, Suite 202, in Lyndhurst. Financing options are available. In addition to toenail fungus, Dr. Shaper treats every condition of the foot and ankle, whether you suffer from ingrown toenails, heel pain, bunions, warts, corns, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, wounds, sprains, heel spurs, flat feet or hammertoe. She’s also passionate about treating those with diabetic foot care needs, pediatric foot care needs and sports injuries. Diagnostics, including digital X-rays and gait analysis, are covered by insurance. Call 216-382-8070 or visit FinesseFootcare.com for more information.