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Expert Permanent Nail Removal At Harley Medical Foot and Nail Clinic
Permanent nail removal (also known as total or partial nail ablation) is a minor surgical procedure performed under local anaesthesia to remove all or part of a nail and apply a chemical or laser treatment to the nail root (matrix) so that the concerned nail will not regrow and repeatedly cause problems.
It is typically offered when nails are severely ingrown, repeatedly infected, thickened/ deformed or damaged by trauma or fungal disease and when more conservative treatments have failed.
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What’s Included
- A full clinical assessment of the affected nail(s) and foot health, including history of ingrowth, infection, any fungal involvement, trauma or recurrence.
- Local anaesthetic to numb the toe/finger, making the treatment comfortable.
- Removal of part or all of the nail (depending on condition) and, where indicated, application of a chemical (commonly phenol) or other matrix-destroying technique to prevent the nail regrowing.
- Dressing and protective care of the site, plus clear after-care instructions (how to care for the toe, keep it dry, rest and follow-up appointments) to support safe healing.
- Follow-up review appointments to monitor healing and ensure the desired outcome (i.e., no painful nail regrowth).
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What to Expect During Your Appointment
- On arrival: registration and consultation to confirm suitability, review your medical history (including if you have conditions like diabetes that can affect healing), discuss the risks and side effects and plan the procedure.
- The toe will be cleaned and numbed via a local anaesthetic injection — you may feel a brief sting. After about 5–10 minutes, the area will become numb.
- A tourniquet may be applied around the toe to control bleeding; the nail (or nail part) is then removed, and the root treatment applied.
- The site is dressed and you’ll be given instructions to rest, elevate your foot, avoid tight shoes and keep the area dry. You’ll be advised not to drive until the anaesthetic wears off and to bring open-toe or roomy footwear.
- Typical healing: If only part of the nail is removed and matrix treatment done, you may return to most activities within a few days; full healing if the whole nail is removed may take 6-8 weeks (sometimes more) depending on your individual health and the type of procedure.