3 Hygiene Tips to Share with Your Teenager

It’s no secret that your children will experience all sorts of changes when they hit their teenage years. While you might not always know the perfect way to help your teen, you can be the expert who helps them adjust to the changes in their bodies.

Manage hair growth without razor burn

When hormones begin to change during puberty, the body begins to grow hair in new places. How your teenager decides to manage and maintain hair growth is a personal choice. If he or she decides to shave or clip hair, they may experience folliculitis, or what is more commonly referred to as razor burn. This common skin condition is usually caused by a bacterial or fungal infection¹ that causes hair follicles to become inflamed, causing bumps or skin irritation.

Safeguard with GermShield+ fights the bacterial and fungal germs that cause folliculitis for up to 12 hours after washing, which is longer than any other antibacterial soap. Simply encourage your teenager to wash the areas of new hair growth using Safeguard Body Wash or Bar Soap, warm water, and a clean washcloth, and to dry the areas with a clean towel. Also, let them know to dry off completely after washing by pat drying versus rubbing their skin dry.

Minimize the impact of oily skin.

One of the other major changes your teenager is likely to experience during puberty is the excess production of oil known as sebum, which often leads to acne. In fact, approximately 80% of preteens and teens have acne.² When teenager experiences acne, they might have a desire to cover it up with cosmetics, or to pick at it with their hands, which can transfer more germs to the already-infected area.

Help your teen make smart choices when it comes to dealing with acne. If they want to use cosmetics, help them shop for “oil-free” or “non-comedogenic” products. Also, if they don’t already have a face-cleaning routine, encourage them to start one. Cleaning their face with warm water and a mild cleanser, such as Safeguard Derma Sense acne soap, can help prevent oil buildup and eliminate bacteria that often cause or worsen acne.

Don’t let body odor take over.

If your teenager thinks he or she is getting smellier during puberty, chances are they’re right. But body odor (commonly referred to as B.O.) is nothing to be embarrassed about, and it’s easy to fight. Apocrine glands, primarily responsible for the reactions that cause body odor, only begin developing as the body goes through puberty.

Sweat alone does not cause body odor. Most body odor is caused by the reaction of bacteria breaking down the proteins apocrine sweat releases. Washing once daily with Safeguard Body Wash or Bar Soap can fight off the bacteria that lead to body odor, keeping them away longer than other antibacterial soap. While wearing deodorant might help minimize the smell of body odor, Safeguard with GermShield+ kills the bacteria that cause it. Plus, Safeguard with GermShield+ can help eliminate other bacteria and fungi germs that cause many skin infections, fungal diseases, or other illnesses, and in some instances, lead to odors themselves.

The teenage years can be challenging for your kids, as well as for parents. Learning to talk openly about the changes they can prepare for may help make the transition into adulthood a little smoother.

¹http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/folliculitis/basics/definition/con-20025909

²http://www.cdc.gov/bam/body/body-microscope.html