Doctor checking toes for fungal

Lunula Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus in New Jersey

Clear, Healthy Nails with the Lunula Laser®

Toenail fungus is one of the most persistent foot conditions we treat. Creams rarely penetrate deeply enough. Oral medications carry side effects that make them unsuitable for many patients. That is why Foot & Ankle Centers offers the Lunula Laser — the only FDA-cleared cold laser device for treating toenail fungus, available at all of our New Jersey locations.

The Lunula uses low-level laser light to target the fungus living beneath and within the nail plate, without heat, drugs, or downtime. Treatment takes 12 minutes per foot per session. The standard course is four weekly sessions.

If you have tried other treatments without success, or you want to avoid oral antifungals, the Lunula Laser may be the right option for you. Our podiatrists will assess your infection at an initial evaluation and confirm whether laser treatment is appropriate.

Yes. Laser toenail fungus treatment, particularly with the Lunula Laser®, is FDA-cleared and considered safe for most patients. Unlike traditional heat-based lasers, this system uses low-level light, which doesn’t cause burning, damage to surrounding tissue, or pain. It’s a non-invasive, touchless therapy that eliminates the need for anesthesia or downtime.

Toenail fungus (onychomycosis) often begins when fungal organisms enter the nail bed through tiny cracks or cuts. Contributing factors include sweaty feet, poor nail hygiene, walking barefoot in public showers or pools, and wearing tight shoes. The condition can worsen over time if left untreated, leading to discoloration, thickening, and brittleness.

Our Foot Doctors can help you. Make an appointment for a comprehensive evaluation at Foot & Ankle Centers today.

How the Lunula Laser® Works

Laser Toenail Fungus Treatment Without Pain or Downtime

The Lunula Laser by Erchonia is a cold laser system — meaning it uses light energy rather than heat to treat the infection. This is a clinically important distinction. Most other laser systems used for nail fungus are thermal, generating heat to destroy fungal cells. The Lunula works differently.

The device emits two wavelengths simultaneously: 405nm violet light and 635nm red light. The violet wavelength triggers a photochemical reaction that produces reactive oxygen species, which are toxic to fungal cells. The red wavelength stimulates cellular energy production and the body’s natural immune response in the nail bed, promoting healthy nail regrowth.

Both feet are treated at the same time. You place your foot inside the device for 12 minutes, and the laser does the rest. There is no sensation during treatment. No heat. No burning. No pain. You leave the office and go about your day immediately after.

The Lunula cold laser machine is used to eliminate fungal infections

Your first appointment begins with an evaluation. Your podiatrist will examine all affected nails, take a clinical history, and, in most cases, take a nail sample to confirm the fungal diagnosis before treatment begins. This matters because not everything that looks like nail fungus is fungal — nail psoriasis and trauma-related nail changes can look identical. Confirming the diagnosis ensures you are on the right treatment path before investing in a course of laser sessions.
If laser treatment is appropriate, your podiatrist will outline your treatment plan and provide a cost quote based on the number of nails affected and the severity of the infection.

At each treatment session, your nails will be cleaned and, if needed, trimmed. You place your foot inside the Lunula device. The laser runs for 12 minutes per foot. There is nothing to feel during treatment. After the session, you can drive, exercise, return to work, or do anything else you had planned that day. No preparation is required before sessions, and no aftercare is required immediately after.

The standard Lunula treatment course consists of four weekly sessions — one per week for four weeks. Each session is 12 minutes per foot. Both feet are treated in the same appointment, so the full session time is approximately 25 to 30 minutes, including preparation.

For more advanced infections or cases where initial results indicate a need for additional sessions, your podiatrist may recommend supplementary treatments.
Results become visible as new, healthy nail grows in from the base. Toenails grow at approximately 1 to 1.5 millimeters per month, so full nail replacement takes 12 to 18 months. Clinical studies on the Lunula system show an average of 6.1mm of new, clear nail growth within six months of completing the four-session course.

Lunula laser treatment is appropriate for most adult patients with confirmed onychomycosis. It is particularly well-suited to patients who:

  • Have not responded to OTC antifungal products after 8 to 12 weeks of consistent use
  • Cannot take oral antifungal medications due to liver conditions, drug interactions, or other contraindications
  • Have moderate to severe nail fungus affecting multiple nails or showing significant thickening
  • Want a non-drug, non-invasive treatment option
  • Have diabetes or circulatory conditions that make oral medications higher risk

Patients who are pregnant, have certain photosensitive conditions, or are taking photosensitizing medications should discuss this with their podiatrist before proceeding. Your podiatrist will review your medical history at the initial evaluation and confirm candidacy before treatment begins.

A full course of Lunula laser treatment at Foot & Ankle Centers costs $1,000 to $1,200. This covers the complete four-session course rather than individual visits. The exact cost within that range depends on the number of nails being treated and the severity of the infection.

Most private insurance plans classify laser toenail fungus treatment as cosmetic and do not cover the cost. Medicare coverage is limited, though exceptions exist for qualifying patients with diabetes-related conditions. For a full breakdown of costs and insurance, see our complete guide to laser toenail fungus treatment cost.

Why Choose Lunula Over Other Toenail Fungus Treatments

Why It’s Safer, Faster, and More Effective Than Traditional Options

When treating onychomycosis, most conventional options have significant limitations. OTC antifungal creams rarely penetrate the nail plate deeply enough to reach the infection. Oral antifungals are more effective but carry risks of liver toxicity, gastrointestinal side effects, and drug interactions that make them unsuitable for many patients. Prescription topical lacquers like Jublia require daily application for up to 48 weeks with uncertain outcomes.

The Lunula Laser addresses the core problem directly — delivering antifungal treatment through the nail plate without systemic risks.

  • No oral medication, no liver monitoring, no drug interactions
  • No daily treatment burden — four short clinic visits complete the course
  • No pain, heat, or tissue damage at any point
  • Safe for patients with diabetes, poor circulation, or sensitivities that make other treatments unsuitable
  • Treats all five toenails on both feet simultaneously rather than nail by nail
  • The only FDA-cleared low-level laser device for onychomycosis

Protecting Your Results After Lunula Treatment

See the Difference Clear Nails Can Make

Reinfection is the most common reason toenail fungus returns after successful treatment. The fungus lives in your environment — shoes, socks, shower floors — as well as on adjacent nails and skin. Clearing the nail is only part of the process.

After completing your Lunula course, your podiatrist will recommend a maintenance protocol tailored to your situation. This typically includes:

  • Applying an antifungal topical to the treated nails during the nail regrowth period
  • Treating the inside of shoes with antifungal spray after each wear
  • Washing socks at a high temperature to kill residual fungal spores
  • Replacing older footwear if the infection was long-standing, as fungus can survive inside shoes for extended periods
  • Attending a follow-up appointment at six months to assess nail growth and confirm clearance

Patients who share a household with someone who also has toenail fungus are advised to have that person evaluated as well. Treating one person in isolation while the other remains untreated significantly increases the risk of reinfection for both.

Podiatrist in white coat with stethoscope sitting beside a patient during a plantar fasciitis consultation at a Foot & Ankle Centers of New Jersey location, reviewing a treatment plan on a clipboard

At Foot & Ankle Centers, our doctors can provide diagnosis and treatment options with Lunula Laser.
Please schedule an appointment with our foot doctor for a complete evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to some of the most common questions about the Lunula laser for toenail fungus treatment and our Foot & Ankle Centers locations across New Jersey.

No. The Lunula is a cold laser system, meaning it uses light energy rather than heat. There is no warming sensation, no burning, and no discomfort at any point during treatment. Most patients report feeling nothing during the 12-minute session.

The standard protocol is four sessions, done weekly over four weeks. Some patients with more advanced infections may benefit from additional sessions. Your podiatrist will confirm the recommended number at your initial evaluation.

New healthy nail growth begins at the base of the nail after treatment is complete. Because toenails grow slowly — around 1 to 1.5 millimeters per month — the full nail takes 12 to 18 months to grow out completely. Clinical studies show an average of 6.1mm of clear new nail growth within the first six months following a four-session course.

In most cases, no oral medication is required. Your podiatrist may recommend a topical antifungal applied between sessions to prevent reinfection from the surrounding environment, along with antifungal shoe spray. This is discussed at your initial evaluation.

Yes. The Lunula by Erchonia is FDA market-cleared for the treatment of onychomycosis. It is the only low-level laser therapy device with this clearance, supported by multiple double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical studies.

Lunula laser treatment is available at all Foot & Ankle Centers locations across New Jersey, including our offices in Hamilton, Ewing, East Windsor, Flemington, and Somerset. Find a location near you or book an appointment online.

Our Testimonials

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