lips Archives - Dr. Hannah Sivak, PhD

The “common” menopause. A bummer, certainly, but let’s look at the silver lining.

March 6th, 2020 by Dr. Hannah Sivak

After reproductive age is over, we are no longer useful in terms of preserving the human species. Except that, of course, as mothers, grandmothers, aunts, etc. we are probably vital to the survival of the human species. We are also the greatest reservoir of wisdom. Right? With menopause, our bodies will shut off functions associated with reproduction because they are no longer necessary. Other functions will be affected as well. That’s annoying, to say the least. Menopause and hormones Women who have decided not to go for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after menopause may expect slow changes in their bodies, including, for example, loss of bone density. Many women are…

How are your Lips Surviving Winter?

January 6th, 2016 by Dr. Hannah Sivak

Why do you need anything? Aren’t your lips just like your skin? Not really. The skin of the lips, with their three to five cellular layers, is very thin compared to typical face skin, which has up to 16 layers. The lip skin does not have sweat glands or hair, so it does not have the usual protective layer of sweat and body oils which keep the skin smooth and somewhat protected. For these reasons, the lips dry out faster and become chapped more easily. And why the color? In people with light skin color, the lip skin contains fewer melanocytes (cells which produce melanin, which gives skin its color).…