• What is HYGIENE?– keeping yourself healthy and clean!
  • Puberty causes many changes in your body, and it’s important you know how to keep yourself clean and fresh with all of these changes taking place
  • During puberty, hormones cause your glands produce more oil
  • You should wash your hair every day or every other day to help control oily hair
  • Use warm water and a small amount of shampoo
  • Don’t scrub too hard, or you may irritate your scalp
  • You can look for shampoos at the store that are specially designed for oily hair
  • Don’t use lots of styling gels or lotions that may make your hair extra greasy
  • During puberty, hormones make you sweat more and make your body produce new and sometimes strong smells, or body odor
  • You can control sweat and body odor by making sure to:
  • Bathe or shower every day, use a mild soap and warm water
  • Wear clean clothes, socks, and underwear every day
  • Cotton shirts, socks, and underwear can help absorb sweat more than some other materials
  • Make sure to keep your feet clean and smelling fresh
  • Your feet sweat also – make sure you wash your feet, change your socks every day, and have your mom or dad wash your sneakers when they get smelly!
  • Start using deodorant with antiperspirant
  • Deodorant will help control smells
  • Antiperspirant will help control sweat
  • Pick a product that says BOTH deodorant and antiperspirant

  • Keep your mouth and teeth clean to stay healthy and prevent bad breath
  • Brushyour teeth for at least 2 minutesat a time, twice a day
  • Make sure you brush on the outside and inside of every tooth, and also on your tongue!
  • Floss between your teeth once a day
  • Try to avoid too much sugar, and rinse your mouth with water or mouthwashif you do eat a sugary treat
  • See your dentistonce or twice a year

  • Acne (Pimples)occurs because your skin gets clogged with oil produced by hormones during puberty
  • Teenagers most often get acne on their foreheads, noses, and chinsbecause this is where the most oil is produced
  • To help prevent acne OR make it clear up as fast as possible:
  • Wash your face gently twice a daywith warm water and mild soap
  • DON’T wash more than twice a day
  • DON’T scrub too hard
  • You can also use creams or soaps containingbenzoyl peroxideor salicylic acid
  • You can get these medicinesover-the-counter, you do not need a prescription from a doctor
  • DON’T pop pimples
  • Try not to touch your face a lot
  • Wash off your makeup before you go to bed
  • If all of this does not help, talk to your doctor
  • Pads
  • Rectangles of absorbent material that attach to the inside of a girl’s underwear to catch menstrual blood
  • Some come with “wings” – extra material on the sides that fold over the edges of a girl’s underwear to help hold the pad in place and prevent leaking
  • Come in many different thicknesses
  • Change pads at least every 3-4 hours, even when your flow isn’t heavy
  • Tampons
  • Tiny tubes of absorbent material that are inserted into a girl’s vagina to catch menstrual blood
  • Come in many different sizes
  • Talk to someone you trust, and read the instructions on the box when you are learning to use tampons
  • A tampon CANNOT get lost inside of you
  • Change tampons at least every 6 hours, or sooner if you notice leakage on your underwear
  • do NOT leave a tampon for longer than 6-8 hours, or you may get a serious infection

** when changing pads OR tampons, be sure to wrap the used one in toilet paper and throw it in the trash can – do NOT flush it down the toilet