Photodynamic Antimicrobial Therapy (PACT)

PACT LED Fungal Nail Treatment

What Is PACT?

PACT is a treatment for nail fungus, and stands for Photodynamic Antimicrobial Therapy. Completed by your podiatrist, it uses a high-powered LED light paired with a unique gel that is sensitive to the LED light. Together, they produce antifungal effects that kill the nail fungus (and fungal spores that spread the infection). Better yet, they do so without causing any damage or harm to the healthy nail or the surrounding skin. 

Research on the effects of PACT has found success rates of up to 90% for mild to moderate infections and 63% for severe infections. This is significantly better than the range of traditional treatments currently on the market (which can be as low as 7% in some cases).

Previously tried other nail fungus treatments without any results?

Good news – studies also showed that many of those who did not respond well or see notable benefits when using other forms of antifungal treatments (including oral antifungal medications) had a good response to treatment with PACT. If you’re still struggling with infected toenails that look discoloured or moth-eaten, even after you’ve tried treating them in the past, PACT could be the answer you’re looking for.

Benefits Of  The PACT Antifungal Treatment

Our patients are finding so much value in the PACT treatment.

• Targets a wide range of fungal species, including drug-resistant strains.
  
• Non-invasive—just a light-activated gel for a painless experience.
  
• Focuses only on infected areas, protecting surrounding tissues.
  
• Lower risk of side effects and drug interactions compared to oral antifungals.
  
• Rapidly destroys fungal cells for quicker symptom relief.
  
• Reduces resistance risk by physically breaking down fungal cells.
  
• Can be combined with other treatments for better results.

How Does PACT Work?

Though it looks like a laser, PACT uses phototherapy with two key components: a photosensitiser and light. The blue gel binds to fungal cell walls, making them vulnerable to the PACT light. When exposed to the light at a specific wavelength, oxygen molecules break down the fungal cell walls, destroying the infection.

What to Expect at Your PACT Appointment

Our Remuera clinic, inside One Health medical centre, offers a structured treatment process.

1. Initial Nail Assessment

• We inspect your toenails and confirm the fungal infection using a Diafactory test (99% accuracy in 5 minutes)
• If confirmed, we discuss all treatment options before proceeding with PACT.
  
• Treatment typically includes four weekly sessions followed by two monthly sessions.
  
• Your podiatrist will trim and reduce infected nail tissue.
  
• You'll receive a take-home pack with pre-treatment instructions. 

2. PACT Sessions

• The podiatrist applies the PACT gel and lets it set for 10 minutes.
  
• The PACT light is then applied for another 10 minutes per infected nail.
  
• Sessions last around 30 minutes (longer for multiple or severe infections).
  

3. Review Appointment

• Scheduled 4 to 12 weeks after your final session.
  
• We reassess your progress and ensure the treatment is working as expected.

How Many PACT Treatments Will I Need?

The number of PACT treatments that will help you get the best results depends entirely on the severity of your infection when you start your treatment. Your podiatrist will discuss this with you at your first appointment, but as a guide, we may recommend:

• 6 to 8 x PACT sessions
• 1-2 review sessions following your last PACT appointment, usually 3 and 6 months after finishing treatment. 

Frustrated and dissatisfied with fungal nail treatment creams not giving you the results you want? We are proud to be Auckland’s only podiatry clinic offering a dual-action fungal nail treatment that combines PACT® LED photodynamic therapy with high-level K-Laser therapy—a powerful, non-invasive option for stubborn fungal nail infections. 

To learn more about our combination therapy, click here.