Talking to your teen about personal hygiene can be an awkward topic. The teen may feel shy about the changes going on in her body and may feel upset if you bluntly tell her that she needs to use deodorant because she smells. You can tie in talks about personal hygiene with other topics related to puberty such as sex and menstruation. Ideally, a parent or adult of the same sex should broach the subject of personal hygiene with the teen.
Step 1
Explain what is going on with her body. Tell her that as a part of puberty, her hormones fluctuate and this causes a lot of things to happen to her body, including sweating and hair growth. Although she may not have had to shower regularly in the past, she now must to prevent body odor.
Step 2
Demonstrate shaving. When a teen first develops body hair, he may not know how to properly shave. Give him any tips about the process, including areas that are more prone to nicks and cuts. Encourage him to use a good razor and to shave after applying a protective shaving solution to the skin. Warn him that shaving cuts bleed quickly and to put pressure on the area immediately after nicking the skin.
Step 3
Purchase age-appropriate magazines. Teen magazines, such as Seventeen and Cosmo Girl, feature articles that discuss personal hygiene matters. Buy a few for your teen and discuss any relevant articles with her.
Step 4
Visit the pharmacy with your teen. Allow him to pick out personal grooming products that he wishes to use. Question whether he has preferences for any certain brands or scents.
Step 5
Change her routine. Wake her up early to give her ample time to take care of her personal needs in the morning before school.
Tips and Warnings
- If your teen has a learning disability, she may need some extra help in regards to personal hygiene matters. Since she may be easily distracted, her hygiene may be neglected.
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