There are some basic things that teens need to know but that adults tend to take for granted and skip for discussion. Hygiene is one of them. We taught our little ones to wash their hands after they use the bathroom and how to wash their body in the bathtub, so we think these skills just continue or translate easily to the next stage of life. Unfortunately, the adolescent years bring intense hormonal changes which dramatically change your child’s hygiene requirements. Plus, teens are highly influenced by social media which is full of misinformation, myths, and exaggeration.
It’s important that parents take the time to talk to their teen about proper grooming and general cleanliness. Let your teen know that cleanliness affects social interactions, physical health, and self-respect, which is why it’s important to their overall wellbeing. They may roll their eyes at you, but more than likely you will hit at least one concept that they didn’t know about. Personal grooming isn’t glamorous, but it’s a foundational life skill.
Washing Hands. You would think this would be an obvious no brainer, but there are lots of teens who skip this important step, even if they were good about it as a younger child. Remind teens that they should wash their hands – with soap! – after using the bathroom, after wiping their nose, after touching an animal, and before eating.
Showering. Once puberty hits, daily showering becomes very important. Let your teen know that the hormones of adolescence raises the potential for odors, acne, skin infections, and itching, and that they need to bathe more frequently than they had to as a child. If your teen has very dry or sensitive skin, they can possibly shower every other day or they can use a mild soap and focus on the face, hands, feet, underarms, and groin area.
Washing hair. Most teens are not aware of the pros and cons of daily hair washing, so discuss them with your teen. Some teens may prefer to skip days to prevent their hair from drying out. Others may want to wash their hair daily if they have oily hair, which can both look greasy and aggravate acne. Come up with a plan that is tailored to their specific hair and scalp.
Using deodorant or antiperspirant. Some parents feel embarrassed to talk about body odor, but it’s better coming from you than experiencing social isolation because the other kids think they stink. Explain that when puberty hits, your teen’s sweat glands become more active and the chemical composition of the sweat changes, causing it to smell stronger. Your teen should use deodorant or an antiperspirant at least once a day, usually right after showering. It can be a great idea for them to keep some deodorant in their gym locker for after their physical education class.
Changing clothes. Many children might wear the same shirt two days in a row, or pull something out of the hamper if they need an item before it makes it into the laundry. Let teens know that it might be fine to wear a pair of jeans twice, but that wearing clean socks and underwear every single day is essential.
Brushing and flossing. Teens must brush twice a day and floss at least once a day, especially if they’re drinking coffee or sodas. This not only prevents cavities, but also bad breath and gingivitis. You might try emphasizing the bad breath component because that will be a stronger motivator to a social conscious teen.
Preventing acne. Teens should wash their face twice a day to prevent acne. However, make sure your teen understands not to wash too vigorously, which will only irritate their skin. If they have severe acne, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist who can provide a good care routine for their specific skin.
Hydration. Many teens are not aware how important hydration – drinking water and moisturizing skin – is to their overall wellbeing. Explain to your adolescent how much better their skin will look and feel if it has enough moisture. Dry skin tends to crack, which not only look bad, but also hurts and increases the potential for infections.
Foot care. Smelly feet and shoes can be a problem for pre-teens and teenagers. Your child can avoid this issue by giving their feet extra attention in the shower, airing out their shoes after long or sweaty use, wearing cotton socks, and making sure their feet are completely dry before putting shoes on.
Shaving. Provide your teen with instruction on using a razor for hair removal, but let them decide when they are ready to try shaving regularly. Let them know that shaving does not in fact cause hair to grow back thicker and/or darker than before, a common myth among teens.
Final Thoughts…
Try to have a hygiene discussion with your child as a tween before they hit puberty, but then occasionally revisit the conversation. Avoid nagging your teen if they aren’t maintaining proper hygiene. Simply explain that taking care of their body is a responsibility and you expect them to do it. Often teens will live up to your expectations. If they don’t, you may have to take away privileges just as you would if they neglected some of their other responsibilities. Additionally, be a good role model. If you want your teen to have good hygiene habits, you need to stick to them yourself. Don’t preach flossing when your teen knows you never do it. Don’t shuffle around the house in pajamas all weekend, but tell them to change their clothes every day. Model all of the behaviors you want your teen to adopt.