New Service: ToeFX Light Therapy for Fungal Toenails
A New Option for Managing Fungal Toenails at Becky & Co. Medical Foot Care
Thick, yellow, brittle or discoloured toenails can be more than a cosmetic concern. For many people, these changes are caused by onychomycosis, commonly known as a fungal toenail infection.
Fungal toenails can be frustrating. They may become increasingly thick and difficult to trim, cause pressure in footwear and take a long time to improve because toenails grow very slowly.
At Becky & Co. Medical Foot Care, we're excited to offer ToeFX Light Therapy in Ottawa as a new treatment option for clients with previously diagnosed fungal toenail infections.
ToeFX combines professional nail debridement, a specialized light-sensitive serum and light therapy to target fungal involvement in the nail.
Our ToeFX treatments are provided by Registered Nurses trained in advanced foot care and ToeFX treatment, so the focus isn't simply on how your toenails look—we assess and care for the overall health of your feet throughout your treatment program.
What Is ToeFX Light Therapy?
ToeFX is a professional light-based treatment system designed for onychomycosis (fungal toenail infections).
Unlike a laser, ToeFX uses specialized light together with a light-sensitive serum applied to the toenails.
The treatment works through a process known as photodynamic therapy or photodisinfection. The ToeFX serum interacts with the light during treatment, creating a localized reaction designed to damage fungal cells.
ToeFX treatment is:
Non-invasive
Drug-free
Needle-free
Designed specifically for fungal toenails
Performed in a clinical setting
Combined with professional nail debridement
Suitable for treating multiple toenails during the same appointment
There is no significant downtime following treatment, and clients can return to their regular activities afterward.
Why We Added ToeFX to Our Foot Care Services
At Becky & Co. Medical Foot Care, we regularly see clients struggling with thick, discoloured and fungal toenails.
Traditional nail care can make thick fungal nails more comfortable and manageable, but debridement alone does not eliminate the underlying fungal infection.
We wanted to offer our clients another conservative treatment option that could be incorporated into professional nursing foot care.
ToeFX allows us to combine several important components of fungal nail management:
Assessment + professional debridement + progress monitoring + light therapy + preventative home care.
Rather than simply treating the appearance of the nail, we develop an ongoing treatment plan and monitor how the new nail grows over time.
What Happens During a ToeFX Appointment?
Our ToeFX treatment protocol follows several important steps.
Step 1: Foot & Nail Assessment
Your Registered Nurse will first assess your feet and toenails.
We review relevant health information and examine the affected nail, surrounding skin and overall foot health.
ToeFX is intended for fungal nail infections, so clients should have a previous diagnosis of fungal toenail infection from a physician or nurse practitioner before beginning treatment with us.
If we identify something that does not appear consistent with a routine fungal nail infection, we may recommend further assessment before proceeding.
Step 2: Clinical Photography
Fungal toenails do not change overnight.
Because toenails grow slowly, photographs are extremely helpful for identifying gradual improvement that may otherwise be difficult to notice.
We take clinical photographs to establish your baseline and monitor your progress throughout treatment.
Consistent photographs allow your nurse to compare the appearance of new nail growth from one treatment to the next.
Step 3: Professional Nail Debridement
This is an important part of our treatment process.
Before applying the ToeFX serum, your nurse carefully reduces and thins the affected toenails.
Fungal nails can become significantly thicker than healthy nails. Removing excess thickness and surface buildup helps prepare the nail for treatment.
Our Registered Nurses are trained in advanced foot care and routinely manage:
Thick and difficult-to-cut toenails
Fungal-appearing nails
Corns and calluses
Ingrown toenails
Diabetic and high-risk feet
Preventative foot care
After debridement, we take another clinical photograph of the treated nails. We repeat these post-debridement photographs at every ToeFX session so we can consistently monitor new nail growth and treatment progress.
Step 4: ToeFX Serum Application
Once the nails have been properly prepared, the specialized ToeFX serum is applied.
The serum is applied thoroughly to the treatment area before light therapy.
You may notice that the nails appear blue following treatment. This temporary colour is associated with the ToeFX formula and gradually fades.
Step 5: ToeFX Light Therapy
Once the serum has had the appropriate time to penetrate the nail, your foot is positioned under the ToeFX Therapy Light.
The serum is designed to interact with the light during treatment.
This light-activated process produces short-lived reactive oxygen species in the treatment area, which are intended to disrupt fungal cells.
The treatment itself is non-invasive—you can simply sit back while the light does its work.
How Often Will I Need ToeFX?
Fungal toenail treatment requires patience.
For our ToeFX program, active treatments are generally scheduled every two weeks.
Many clients will require a series of treatments rather than a single appointment. The exact number depends on factors such as:
How many nails are involved
Severity of the nail changes
How long the infection has been present
Nail thickness
Individual nail growth
Overall foot health
Consistency with appointments and preventative home care
A typical treatment program may involve approximately 8–12 active treatments, although some clients may require more.
Once the nail is clearing appropriately, maintenance treatments may be recommended approximately every 6–8 weeks to help reduce the risk of recurrence.
Why Does Fungal Toenail Treatment Take So Long?
One of the most important things to understand is that the damaged part of your toenail doesn't instantly become a healthy nail.
We are looking for healthier nail to gradually grow forward from the base of the nail.
Toenails grow very slowly, so this process can take months.
That's another reason we take photographs throughout your ToeFX treatment program. When you look at your feet every day, small changes can be difficult to recognize. Comparing photographs over several months can give us a much clearer picture of your progress.
Home Care Is an Important Part of Treatment
Treating the toenail is only one part of managing a fungal nail infection.
Fungus can also persist in socks, shoes and the surrounding environment, which is why reinfection prevention is an important part of our ToeFX program.
Your nurse will develop an individualized home-care plan that may include:
BioTEXT Shoe Spray
We may recommend BioTEXT spray for your footwear as part of your shoe-hygiene routine.
Nail Care Between Appointments
We may recommend a professional nail-care product such as Footlogix or PodoExpert nail spray for use between ToeFX appointments.
Everyday Prevention
We also encourage clients to:
Put on clean socks every day.
Keep feet clean and thoroughly dry, especially between the toes.
Avoid remaining in damp socks or shoes.
Rotate and properly dry footwear.
Regularly launder socks, towels and appropriate linens.
Avoid sharing footwear or nail-care instruments.
Follow the individualized home-care instructions provided by your nurse.
Preventative care matters because fungal nail infections can recur even after successful treatment.
Can I Wear Nail Polish During ToeFX Treatment?
We recommend avoiding nail polish during the active treatment program whenever possible.
Leaving the nails visible allows your nurse to properly assess the nail and monitor new growth at every appointment.
If you have an upcoming event or would really like to wear polish, speak with your nurse first so we can provide appropriate instructions.
Is ToeFX Painful?
The light therapy itself is non-invasive and does not involve needles or cutting into the skin.
The nails are professionally reduced before treatment, similar to the advanced nail care many of our clients already receive during their medical foot care appointments.
If you experience discomfort at any point, tell your nurse so we can assess the area and modify care when appropriate.
What Should I Bring to My Appointment?
There isn't much you need to do before your appointment.
We recommend:
Arriving without nail polish.
Bringing a pair of clean, dark-coloured socks.
Bringing your phone, tablet, book or something else to enjoy during the treatment time.
Please also make sure we have an up-to-date list of your medications and relevant health information.
How Much Does ToeFX Cost in Ottawa?
We've designed our pricing so that clients don't have to worry about paying for every individual toenail.
Initial ToeFX Treatment — $120
60-minute appointment | One or both feet
Your first appointment includes:
Foot and nail assessment
Clinical photography
Professional nail debridement
Post-debridement photographs
ToeFX serum application
ToeFX Light Therapy
Home-care and reinfection-prevention education
Personalized treatment plan
ToeFX Follow-Up Treatment — $100
45-minute appointment | One or both feet
Follow-up appointments include:
Nail reassessment
Professional debridement
Progress photography
ToeFX serum
ToeFX Light Therapy
Home-care review
Ongoing progress monitoring
The same fee applies whether we are treating one or both feet.
Who Provides My ToeFX Treatment?
ToeFX treatments at Becky & Co. Medical Foot Care are provided by Registered Nurses who have completed ToeFX-specific training.
This is an important difference in our approach.
We don't look at your fungal toenail in isolation. Your nurse can assess the overall condition of your feet and identify concerns that may require additional attention.
This is particularly valuable for people living with:
Diabetes
Circulation concerns
Reduced sensation
Mobility challenges
Very thick or difficult-to-manage nails
Recurring foot problems
When something requires care outside our nursing role, we can also recommend appropriate follow-up with your physician, nurse practitioner, chiropodist, wound-care provider or another foot-health professional.
Is ToeFX Guaranteed to Get Rid of Toenail Fungus?
No treatment for fungal toenails should be presented as a guaranteed cure.
The response to treatment varies from person to person, and recurrence is possible.
Severity, nail growth, health conditions, previous nail trauma, reinfection and consistency with treatment can all affect the outcome.
Our goal is to provide a structured, professional treatment program, monitor your progress carefully and help you make informed decisions about your foot health.
If your nails aren't progressing as expected, we'll reassess the treatment plan and recommend additional medical assessment when appropriate.
ToeFX vs. Regular Fungal Nail Care
Regular nursing foot care can be extremely helpful for someone with thick fungal toenails.
We can reduce excess nail thickness, improve comfort, remove problematic nail material and provide preventative education.
ToeFX adds a light-based treatment component to that professional nail care.
This makes it a good option to discuss with your nurse if you've already been diagnosed with a fungal nail infection and are interested in going beyond routine nail reduction alone.
Ready to Do Something About Your Fungal Toenails?
If you've been living with thick, yellow, brittle or fungal toenails and have already received a diagnosis of fungal nail infection, ToeFX Light Therapy may be an option for you.
At Becky & Co. Medical Foot Care, you'll receive more than a light treatment.
You'll receive professional foot and nail assessment, advanced nail debridement, clinical progress photography, individualized preventative education and ongoing care from a Registered Nurse.
Our goal is to help you work toward healthier-looking, more manageable toenails while supporting the overall health of your feet.
ToeFX Light Therapy Now Available in Ottawa
Initial Treatment: $120 | 60 minutes | One or both feet
Follow-Up Treatments: $100 | 45 minutes | One or both feet
Active Treatment Schedule: Generally every 2 weeks
Contact Becky & Co. Medical Foot Care or book a ToeFX consultation to learn whether this new service may be appropriate for you.
ToeFX treatment results vary and cannot be guaranteed. ToeFX does not replace appropriate medical diagnosis or treatment. Clients should have a previous diagnosis of fungal nail infection before beginning treatment.
