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What Are the Best Tips for Personal Hygiene for Teenagers?

David Bishop
David Bishop

Puberty and the teenage years can be a trying time for young people. Their bodies go through significant physical changes, and they must adjust their lifestyle and daily routine to their development. One of the biggest issues during this period is personal hygiene for teenagers. Many teens will need to begin bathing more often, using acne control products and shaving. Female teens also will need to focus on specific feminine hygiene needs.

Overall cleanliness is an important facet of developing good personal hygiene for teenagers. Hormonal development will often cause teens to have problems with body odor or oily skin and hair. Bathing or showering daily with plenty of soap and shampoo can help alleviate some of these issues. Teens also may need to start using antiperspirants and deodorants to help prevent body odor. Parents should promote a daily routine that includes frequent washing and encourage their children to utilize hygiene products.

Body odor often becomes much more noticeable during adolescence, so deodorant should be used.
Body odor often becomes much more noticeable during adolescence, so deodorant should be used.

Teens with oily skin also may experience problems with unsightly acne. Left untreated, acne can produce facial pockmarks and scars that will last a lifetime. Teenagers can start acne treatment by cleansing their face each night with a soapy washcloth. They also may wish to use over-the-counter products that contain acne-fighting medications. Serious cases should be evaluated by a dermatologist, who can help guide patients to more effective acne-fighting treatments.

Many people choose to use body wash instead of soap for their personal hygiene.
Many people choose to use body wash instead of soap for their personal hygiene.

Shaving is another major issue of personal hygiene for teenagers. Many public and private schools prohibit facial hair for students, so most male teens will need to learn how to shave their face. In some cases, it may be easier for a teen to start with an electric razor that requires less preparation time and offers less chance for injury. Female teens have a number of options for removing unwanted hair from their legs and armpits, including razors, waxes and chemical hair removers.

A teen washing her hands.
A teen washing her hands.

Menstruation can be a challenging event for female teens. Teenage girls will need to learn how to use the various female hygiene products and find the best options for their particular body. Girls may be more comfortable seeking advice from their mother or other female role models in their lives. Doctors also can help with this and other issues of personal hygiene for teenagers. Many doctors keep on hand for their teenage patients literature that will help inform them about menstruation and other issues related to puberty.

Discussion Comments

browncoat

This can be an embarrassing thing to talk about with your kids, but sometimes you've just got to do it anyway. Even if they are completely embarrassed and don't engage in the discussion, at least you've made sure they have access to information.

And it's difficult to teenagers to even know there is something wrong when it comes to hygiene. If they have a body odor problem, for example, no one is likely to come straight out and tell them gently, if you don't.

Ana1234

@Iluviaporos - That can definitely help, but people need to realize that sometimes it's just not possible to get rid of acne completely. It definitely is linked to hormones and it's not necessarily a hygiene failing if you happen to have them. Some people just do.

If it's particularly bad, there are medications you can take, which people might want to try if there is serious chance of scarring. But they tend to be very harsh, so I wouldn't do that unless nothing else works.

lluviaporos

One thing I wish I had known as a teenager is that it can be very important to change your pillow-case regularly, if you're suffering from acne. Even once a week might not be enough. I've been told the ideal is to use a fresh towel every night, but I've never gone that far.

I have found that switching my pillows around so I'm sleeping on a new side every night can do wonders though. And it makes sense, because they must absorb some of the oils and things from your face each night.

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    • Body odor often becomes much more noticeable during adolescence, so deodorant should be used.
      By: karam miri
      Body odor often becomes much more noticeable during adolescence, so deodorant should be used.
    • Many people choose to use body wash instead of soap for their personal hygiene.
      By: Dessie
      Many people choose to use body wash instead of soap for their personal hygiene.
    • A teen washing her hands.
      By: Vladimir Voronin
      A teen washing her hands.
    • Teenagers should use shampoo to keep the scalp and hair healthy.
      By: EuToch
      Teenagers should use shampoo to keep the scalp and hair healthy.
    • Teenagers can start acne treatment by cleansing their face each night with a soapy wash cloth.
      By: Ocskay Bence
      Teenagers can start acne treatment by cleansing their face each night with a soapy wash cloth.
    • Showering often with soap is important for personal hygiene in teenagers.
      By: red2000
      Showering often with soap is important for personal hygiene in teenagers.
    • Female teens often use razors to shave their legs and armpits.
      By: Gennadiy Poznyakov
      Female teens often use razors to shave their legs and armpits.
    • Teens should be encouraged to use floss whenever they brush their teeth.
      By: Steve Morvay
      Teens should be encouraged to use floss whenever they brush their teeth.
    • Teens should regularly brush their hair to prevent oil buildup.
      By: bedov
      Teens should regularly brush their hair to prevent oil buildup.
    • Teenagers should be encouraged to use mouthwash to prevent oral germs.
      By: Matthew Cole
      Teenagers should be encouraged to use mouthwash to prevent oral germs.