To better understand
It’s a well-known fact that during puberty, starting around age 10 to 12, teens experience many changes in their bodies. Some of these changes make hygiene more important than before and new habits must be formed.
Even though this may seem simple for us, it can be difficult for teens to follow hygiene advice. Some will become excessive, while others don’t manage to follow the advice. We often think that not following instructions is related to laziness or opposition. However, that isn’t always the case! Don’t forget that teens have to deal with many psychological changes during puberty and have to adapt to their changing body. Teens are also influenced by social and cultural norms (friends, media, family). This means that difficulties that arise may stem from different sources.
Following are a few examples:
- Misunderstanding or uncertainty about the hygiene rules or how to use hygiene products.
- Prioritizing other activities to the detriment of their personal hygiene or difficulty fitting time for their personal hygiene into their schedule.
- Difficulty adjusting to their changing body and discomfort seeing themself naked.
- A lag between the physical and psychological changes: sometimes teens go through physical changes before being psychologically mature enough to understand the reasons and to apply the personal hygiene advice.
- Trying to find an area of their life they can control.
Quite often, these difficulties are transient. However, neglecting their hygiene can be a sign of depression when it is accompanied by other symptoms. If you think your teen is depressed, see a health and social services professional.
In the next section, we’ll provide advice about how to support your teen.
To better support
Tips and tricks
You don’t have to pay exorbitant prices for personal hygiene products. There are several low-cost personal hygiene products that work very well! It’s even possible to make your own soaps, shampoos and conditioners!
For teens who take excessively long showers, there are all kinds of tools to regulate water consumption such as shower timers and flow regulators. The ecological argument also usually goes down well with teens.
In short
- It’s important to talk about puberty and personal hygiene at home.
- Young teens need time and support to adjust to their changing body and to become independent with regard to their personal hygiene.
- Offering them advice and a family environment that makes this easier can be helpful.
Practical resources and tools
1. To support you :
Are you dealing with a situation that worries you? Ask for help:
2. For more information :
- Several municipalities offer grants for purchasing reusable menstrual products. Check with your municipality!
- Consult the page Stages of development at the website EnModeAdo to find out about the various changes that occur during adolescence.
Last updated
: