April 2019 - On Call Medical Clinic

Laser Hair Removal

laser hair removal

If you’re not happy with shaving, tweezing, or waxing to remove unwanted hair, laser hair removal may be an option worth considering. We at On Call Medical Clinic preform safe Laser Hair Removal. We can remove hair from your back, bikini area, chest, neck, shoulders, face, especially the upper lip and chin.

Laser hair removal is one of the most commonly done cosmetic procedures in the U.S. It beams highly concentrated light into hair follicles. Pigment in the follicles absorb the light. That destroys the hair.

Here are the benefits of laser hair removal:

Precision. Lasers can selectively target dark, coarse hairs while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged.

Speed. Each pulse of the laser takes a fraction of a second and can treat many hairs at the same time. The laser can treat an area approximately the size of a quarter every second. Small areas such as the upper lip can be treated in less than a minute, and large areas, such as the back or legs, may take up to an hour.

Most patients have permanent hair loss after an average of three to seven sessions.

How Should You Prepare for Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is more than just ”zapping” unwanted hair. It is a medical procedure that requires training to perform and carries potential risks. Before getting laser hair removal, you should thoroughly check the credentials of the doctor or technician performing the procedure. We at On Call Medical Clinic will be glad to share many important facts about the procedure as well as our credentials.

If you are planning on undergoing laser hair removal, you should limit plucking, waxing, and electrolysis for six weeks before treatment. That’s because the laser targets the hairs’ roots, which are temporarily removed by waxing or plucking.

You should also avoid sun exposure for six weeks before and after treatment. Sun exposure makes laser hair removal less effective and makes complications after treatment more likely.

Just before the procedure, your hair that will be undergoing treatment will be trimmed to a few millimeters above the skin surface. The laser equipment will be adjusted according to the color, thickness, and location of your hair being treated as well as your skin color.

Please visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com to see all the skin care medical services we perform at our clinic. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to call us at 228 818-5155.One of our friendly staff will be able to answer all your questions.

Skin and Sun- Be Careful

skin and sun

Skin and Sun- We at On Call Skin Care Clinic know that we all like to enjoy the Sun, but sometimes the Sun can cause serious problems for your skin. Below is some important information that can help you stay prepared while enjoying this Spring and Summer outdoors.

The skin uses sunlight to help manufacture vitamin D, which is important for normal bone formation. But sometimes its ultraviolet light can be very detrimental.

Within the skin’s epidermal (outer) layer are cells that contain the pigment melanin. Melanin protects skin from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, which can burn the skin, and over time, could reduce its elasticity and cause a person to age prematurely. Sun tanning occurs because exposure to sunlight causes the skin to produce more melanin and to darken. The tan fades as these cells move toward the surface and are sloughed off.

Too much exposure to ultraviolet or UV rays can cause sunburn. UV rays penetrate the outer skin layers and pass into the deeper layers, where they can damage or kill skin cells. People who do not have much melanin and sun burn easily should protect themselves by covering up sensitive areas, wearing sun block, limiting their total exposure time, and limiting their sun exposure between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Frequent and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays over many years is the chief cause of skin cancer. Examine skin regularly for development of suspicious growths or changes in an existing skin lesion. Early detection and treatment are key in increasing the cure rate for skin cancer.

Here are some things you can do to help protect you.

For your Eyes

Wear sunglasses year-round whenever you are out in the sun. Sunglasses should block 99-100 percent of both UVA and UVB light.

Wear a hat with at least a 3-inch brim. Hats can block as much as half of all UVB rays from your eyes and eyelids.

Finally, whenever you are outside, seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM, when sunlight is the most intense.

If you detect symptoms of any problems with your eyes or eyelids, be sure to see a physician. Ophthalmologists have the greatest knowledge of eye conditions, while dermatologists are experts on the skin.

Clothing

Clothing is our first line of defense against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and protects us by absorbing or blocking much of this radiation. The more skin you cover, the better. A long-sleeved shirt covers more skin than a t-shirt, especially if it has a high neckline or collar that shields the back of the neck. Likewise, long pants protect more skin than shorts

Prevention Guidelines

Seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM.

Do not burn.

Avoid tanning and UV tanning beds.

Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.

Use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.

Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.

Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.

See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.

We at On Call Skin Care hope this information was helpful. Please review our website at www.oncallskincare.com to review all the skin care services we offer. Please remember when a minor illness or accident occurs, and your primary care doctor is not available, we are here 7 days a week to help. We have our own laboratory facilities to help us quickly diagnose some illnesses.

Spring Colds – What Foods Can Help

spring colds

Spring Colds – We at On Call Medical Clinic know that Spring like Winter can bring on colds and the flu. As the winter starts to fade, our immune systems might be a bit weaker, leaving us susceptible to one last cold before the change of seasons. We would like to give you some good food choices that help you fight colds and the flu.

Yogurt

Trillions of bacteria work to create a healthy balance in our digestive and immune systems. Yogurt and kefir products help fight off bad bacteria types while feeding good bacteria.

Blueberries

The USDA Agriculture Research Service and Cornell University have found that blueberries are the most powerful antioxidants out of all commonly eaten fresh fruit. This is due to their high amount of vitamin C and anthocyanins.

Seeds and nuts

Seeds and nuts offer antibacterial or antioxidant power to fight colds. Use anise seeds as a tea up to three times a day to ease coughing or congestion. Pumpkin seeds, high in vitamin E and zinc, can reduce the time you’re sick with a cold. Antioxidants in sunflower seeds reduce phlegm, and protect cell walls from damage that can open them to infection. Lastly, only a few brazil nuts a day have enough selenium and cytokine proteins to battle bad bacteria.

Garlic

Garlic contains an antimicrobial ingredient allicin, which helps fight against bad bacteria like yeast, rids the body of toxins, and promotes healthy gut flora. Studies have shown that garlic can not only help you recover from colds, but also ward them off.

Fish

Coming out of spring, your body is naturally low in vitamin D which is a key cold fighter. Wild salmon, tuna, or sardines are high in Vitamin D, and pair well with citrus and a yogurt dressing – also beneficial for colds. These are likewise rich in zinc and omega 3s which reduce inflammation.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene, that later turns into vitamin A, and is found in other bright orange veggies, such as carrots. This boosts T-cell function, which blocks or destroys harmful cold-causing bacteria. Vitamin A also strengthens mucosal surfaces such as your eyes, skin, nose and digestive system – all key targets for pesky colds.

Red Peppers

Red peppers are similar to citrus fruits in that they are extremely high in vitamin C. One pepper has about 150 mg of the vitamin. While that’s twice the daily recommended amount for women, you’ll need four times as much a day if you have a cold. Nevertheless, peppers can be paired with yogurt dips and are an easy way to snack your way to better health.

Milk

Vitamin D doesn’t just fight depression and build strong bones, but also helps combat our risk of catching a cold. Vitamin D in milk helps build up weakened immune defense from a lack of sun during winter months. Vitamin D milk can also help lower risk of respiratory infections, as well as thicken mucus and phlegm to help flush out respiratory bacteria.

We at On Call Medical Clinic hope that you found this information helpful. Remember when the cold or flu creeps up on you and your primary physician is not available, we are her for you 7 days a week. Please visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com to see all the medical services we offer.

Skin Care in the Spring

skin care in the spring

Skin Care in The Spring and Summer. Well it’s Spring and Summer time is right around the corner which means fun in the sun. With more of your body exposed and the summer sun rays you have more of a chance to damage your skin.

Here are some summer skin tips that can help you keep your skin looking good.

Exfoliate for a cleaner and smoother skin. What this does is remove dead, dulling skin to prevent congestion and improve hydration from toners and moisturizers.
Keep your skin hydrated. Increase your regimen’s level of hydration with intensive masques, that can be used one or two times per week,
Drink Plenty of Water.With higher temperatures while you are spending more time outdoors, internal dehydration can result in headaches and dizzy spells. Drink 8 8oz glasses of plain filtered water everyday day.
Always apply enough sunscreen. Most of the time we don’t apply enough sunscreen. Here is what you should apply. One teaspoon for your face and for your body about as much as would fill a shot glass. You should re-apply this every 2 hours.
Soothe Over Exposed Skin. If you didn’t apply enough sunscreen the damage may already be too late. However, you do not need to suffer. Soothing botanicals and cooling gels can help prevent peeling and reduce redness.
Be sure and Repair and treat sun damage.UV light causes photoaging in the form of brown spots, coarse skin and wrinkles, whether you have burned your skin or not. When sunlight comes in contact with skin a cascade of damage results (including the stripping of barrier lipids) causing inflammation, production of reactive oxygen molecules that affect healthy cell growth, and stimulation of collagen destructing enzymes.

We hope this information was helpful. Here at On Call Medical Clinic we offer a full array of skin treatments from Botox, to Laser Hair Removal, to Juvederm, and finally to Ultherapy. Please call us at any time with skin care questions that we may be able to help you with. We are open 7 days a week. You are welcome to visit our website at www.oncallskincare.com to learn more about the skin care treatments we offer.

Spring Allergies or just a Cold

spring allergies

Spring is here and this can mean a problem for the more than 50 million Americans with spring allergies. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness.

Allergies have been found to be a leading cause of chronic sinusitis, a chronic condition that may result in multiple sick days and lost productivity. Spring and fall are the worst time for allergies and sinusitis.

There are differences between a cold and spring allergies in the Springtime. Here is how you tell the difference.

Allergy attacks never include fever as part of their presentation. Colds often involve low-grade fevers, below 101 degrees, and can run higher if the virus is aggressive.
Common colds often involve some form of cough while patients may never cough during an allergy attack. Some allergy patients, however, especially asthmatics, can experience wheezing or cough as part of their presentation.
Frequent and multiple sneezes are a hallmark of the allergy attack, especially in a patient who doesn’t feel “sick.”
Runny, stuffy nose. Nasal congestion is a common symptom for both allergy and cold sufferers. It results from increased blood flow to the internal mucous membranes of the nose and sinus cavity as the immune system responds to the condition at hand. Generally, allergic mucous is clear and watery, while an infection causes thick, colored mucous. Contrary to popular belief, the color of nasal mucous does not distinguish whether the infection is viral or bacterial.
Often congestion can cause a feeling of pain or pressure within the sinuses, sometimes called “sinus headaches.” This can occur in both allergies and colds. But if the headache is one-sided, that could indicate a more serious bacterial infection.
Itchy eyes, ears and throat. Itching in these areas almost always suggests an allergic cause of the symptoms.
Sore throat. Both colds and allergies can result in sore throats. But allergy patients often describe the pain as more “scratchy” while colds produce a more severe, “sharp” sore throat.
Swollen glands. Swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck and under the chin frequently accompanies the common cold and resolves on its own. Allergies seldom produce swollen glands.

We at On Call Medical Clinic hope that this information was helpful. We are here 7 days a week if you are suffering from a Spring cold or allergies. Please visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com to review all the medical services we offer. Our friendly and courteous staff is ready to help you get back out and enjoy the Spring.

Spring Fever Better Catch It!

spring fever

It’s getting warmer outside, there’s a change in the air, and chances are you’re showing some spring fever symptoms. Did you know that there is biological proof that such physical symptoms really do exist?

According to some source, human beings experience a real energy surge in spring due to an increase in sunlight. Apparently, the change in daylight triggers a change in the amounts of hormones our brains produce, including an altered amount of melatonin, which is a hormone that influences sleep cycles as well as mood changes.

Here are some of the common symptoms of Spring Fever

The sudden urge to go jogging or walking outdoors. Maybe it’s that extra dose of vitamin Dfrom all that springtime sunshine that gives us the energy to run a mile after work. Or maybe it’s because body image becomes important and to the top of our minds in the Springs. Whatever the reason, the random urge you’re feeling to go for a walk during your lunch break is real.
You are starting to eat lighter. Craving fresh salads and farmer’s market fruit? That’s a sure sign of spring fever. We can thank our past generations for that part of our internal clock, as our ancestors used to experience a period of famine during the winter months. To plan for it, they would eat heavier foods and go into a type of hibernation. It has been found that people typically eat fewer fruits and vegetables in the winter, as fewer are in season than in the spring and summer months. And in the warmer months, we tend to eat lighter foods with more vitamins and proteins.
You find yourself sleeping less. In spring, you may find it harder to go to sleep at your usual time. This isn’t just attributed to daylight saving time. The additional sunlight tells our bodies to produce less melatonin, a main ingredient in putting your brain in sleep mode.

Lastly and Best of All, You Seem to SMILE more in the Spring. You’re happier, and you find yourself smiling, whistling, being nicer than usual. for no reason. These are all symptoms of spring fever

Apparently, this is due to a chemical change, according to a 2008 study which found an increase in serotonin during the transition to spring. Serotonin affects our mood, which may account for a sudden lust for life in the Springtime.

We at On Call Medical Clinic hope everyone is enjoying the wonderful spring weather we are having now. Remember with the change of weather unexpected colds and allergies can creep up on you. We are here for you 7 days a week when you have those minor illnesses and accidents occur. Please visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com to learn more about all the services we over.