Nail Reconstruction: Is It the Answer to Beautiful Feet This Summer?
Nail reconstruction
From sports-related trauma to fungal infections, toenails can easily become damaged and leave our toenails looking discoloured, thicker and/or uneven. These issues may affect your confidence and cause hesitation to show your feet, especially during the warmer periods.
This is where nail reconstruction comes in, offering you a way of rejuvenating and restoring your toenails back to their natural beauty. In this blog, we delve into the wonders of nail reconstruction and why it may be the solution for you.
How does nail reconstruction work?
Nail reconstruction is a procedure podiatrists undertake to rebuild a nail to look and feel like a normal nail. At Walsh Podiatry, we use a product called Pedisafe® which is a flexible, antifungal, antimicrobial gel. By applying Pedisafe, it helps to:
Protect the nail.
Improve its appearance.
Adds a protective layer that minimises nail damage when compared to potentially damaging salon gel polish.
Who is Nail Reconstruction suitable for?
It is a very safe treatment and is suitable for anyone with the following:
Damaged nails
Uneven nails
Discoloured nails
Cracked or lifted nails
Fungal and psoriatic nails
Unfortunately, it is unsuitable if you are pregnant, have active skin cancers, have neuropathy or poor wound healing, are under 6 or are going to the hospital.
It is also important to note that we need approximately 10% of your existing nail so that the new nail has something to adhere to.
What happens during your appointment?
In your appointment, we use an electric file to thin down your nail as much as possible. This is not painful and may make your nail look more uneven but do not worry, as this is an important step to create a thin foundation to build your new nail. We then apply many gel layers and use a low-level UV light to cure each layer. The amount of layers needed depends on the extent of the damage to the existing nail.
How long does nail reconstruction last?
Nail reconstruction can last anywhere from 4-6 weeks. However, if the area gets repeatedly wet or hit, it may not last as long. It is crucial to note the following in order for a faster nail recovery:
If you are going abroad, we recommend 20 mins in a pool x2 a day at the most as long as the nail is dried thoroughly.
We also ask that you do not have a bath/shower the day of your appointment and do not get the area wet after 10 pm the evening before.
As we use a low-level UV light, you must apply a factor 50 sun lotion to your feet 30 minutes before your appointment to protect your skin.
Looking to get your feet summer ready? Look no further! Give us a call on 0121 749 6313.
Let's begin your nail reconstruction journey together!
FAQs on Nail Reconstruction:
How long does the nail reconstruction procedure take?
A nail reconstruction procedure can last anywhere from 30-45 minutes, depending on the extent of damage to the toenail.
Is nail reconstruction a permanent solution?
Unfortunately, nail reconstruction is not a permanent solution and only lasts 4-6 weeks; once the nail is finished, a new nail can be re-applied.
What should I do if the reconstructed nail gets damaged or loosens?
If this begins to happen, you should contact the podiatrist, who can advise you on the best course of action or schedule an appointment to touch up the nail.
Does nail reconstruction completely hide the damage?
Nail reconstruction provides a way of improving the look of damaged nails and creates a look of natural nails, however, it may not hide all the damage.