[blparent] Going through puberty

[Veronica Smith]

She gets spots (pimples)?
Almost everybody has spots at some time during their life, and most young
people
get spots around puberty. Washing your face more often with mild unperfumed
or antiseptic
soap and warm water may help, but be careful not to scrub your face as this
can irritate
the skin. It is especially important to wash your face thoroughly if you
have been
using make-up or sunscreen. Oils from your hair can also cause spots, so
keeping
your hair clean and out of your face can help.
Some people find that eating less fatty foods (such as chips and chocolate)
and drinking
lots of water can help. However, spots during puberty are usually caused by
hormones,
and are not something that you can control.
It is important to try not to pick at, or squeeze the spots as this can
cause them
to become infected.
If you get very bad spots it might be acne. Acne is a common skin condition
that
mostly occurs on the face, arms, back and chest. If you think that you might
have
acne, you could speak to a doctor as they will be able to give you advice.
There
are also various special creams and pills that your doctor may prescribe to
help
you with the problem.
She is unhappy about the way she looks?
"Height and weight are two things that can particularly worry young people.
But try
and think about things you like about yourself and the way you look."
The physical changes that occur during puberty can cause considerable worry
for young
people. Some people become worried because they are growing or changing
faster or
slower than their friends.
Height and weight are two things that can particularly worry young people.
But try
and think about things you like about yourself

There is no set time when puberty starts, and this means that often girls
will find
they start to change at a different time from other girls their age. This is
very
normal, but can cause a girl to feel embarrassed or 'different' from her
friends.
Remember that it won't be long before others start to go through the same
changes.
Many girls begin puberty as early as age 7. In some cases a girl may begin
to show
signs of puberty at a younger age, this is known as 'precocious puberty'. If
a girl
starts to show signs of puberty much earlier than age 7, it is a good idea
to speak
to a doctor to make sure there are no underlying health problems.
If you are worried, it can help to speak with somebody you feel comfortable
talking
to.
All her friends have started changing but she hasn't?
In the same way that girls who are 'early developers' can feel embarrassed
or 'different',
not beginning puberty until much later than others can also cause a girl to
worry.
Try to remember that everyone goes through puberty at their own pace.
Starting later
than your friends does not mean that your body will always be less mature;
it won't
be long before you start to go through the same changes that they are.
Many girls don't start puberty until age 13. If a girl is worried that she
has not
begun to see any changes by this age, she should speak to an adult who she
feels
comfortable talking to.
If a girl is much older than 13 and has not begun puberty (known as 'delayed
puberty'),
it is a good idea to speak to a doctor to make sure there are no underlying
health
problems. But remember that starting puberty does not mean that a girl will
be experiencing
all the signs of puberty by this age. For example, many girls do not start
having
their period until as late as age 16.
Where Next?
AVERT.org has more about:
 Teens
 Puberty, pregnancy and sex