- 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