Pincer nail deformity is a painful condition in which the toenail’s excessive curvature compresses surrounding tissue, most often affecting the great toe and occurring more frequently in older adults. Standard treatments like nail braces or surgical removal often fail to provide lasting or cosmetically satisfactory results.
Fractionated CO₂ (fCO₂) laser therapy offers a more advanced and precise option by targeting the nail matrix while sparing nearby tissue. However, treating patients with skin of color is more complex due to a higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and scarring—complications that can occur in up to 16% of individuals after laser procedures. Advances in laser technology, customized settings, and appropriate aftercare can help reduce these risks, making fCO₂ laser a viable option when tailored to the needs of patients with darker skin tones.
This “Great Cases from the JDD” tells the story of a 78-year-old African-American woman whose pincer nail deformity was corrected by fCO₂ laser.
For more “Great Cases from the JDD,” visit Next Steps in Derm.
