Puberty

Puberty is when your body changes from being a child to a young adult. It happens at different times for different young people, but puberty usually begins at some point between age 8 and 14 years old.

The changes happen because the body produces chemicals called sex hormones. There are lots of hormonal changes that happen when puberty begins so don’t worry if you feel a little different and remember everyone changes at their own rate. Sometimes it is hard not to compare yourself to other people but there’s no need, everybody gets there in the end. There are some common signs that may signal the start or continuation of puberty.

Your biological sex will often determine the types of changes you go through during puberty. For example, someone who is physically female may start to have periods and someone who is physically male may grow hair on their face.

Your sex is often checked when you’re born by looking at whether you have a penis or vagina and is usually determined by your genetics. Some people’s physical sex develops differently from being just male or female. This is sometimes called being intersex, and it may mean that you develop differently from other people during puberty.

Some people’s sex will be different from their gender, and we’ve got advice to help if you’re worried.

https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/sexual-identity/gender-identity/

Girls

Breasts begin to develop
Leg and arm hair increases
Pubic hair grows
May notice an increase in spots
Growth spurt
Body shape change

Boys

Voice breaks (or deepens)
Underarm and/or facial hair grows
Pubic hair becomes thicker
Might notice an increase in spots
Testicles and penis grow to be bigger

Your body shape changes

One of the first things you might notice during puberty is that your body shape starts to change.

Girls will start to develop breasts and your hips will grow rounder. It’s normal to put on some weight and to grow a bit taller during puberty. You might have food cravings as your body adapts to all the changes. Girls often put on a little weight and feel uncomfortable and bloated few days before your period.

Boys will go through a growth spurt and become taller during puberty as well as becoming more muscular.

Feeling unhappy with how you look

Bodies grow at different rates during puberty, but it can be tough if you’re comparing yourself to other people. Remember, there’s no right or wrong way for people to look, and lots of pictures online will be airbrushed or have filters to stop them from looking real.

https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/you-your-body/my-body/how-you-look/

Feelings

It is not just a young person’s body that changes during puberty, minds and feelings change too. Your hormones, coping with the changes in your body and maybe having acne or body odour can all affect your mood. You might feel self-conscious or have low self-esteem and it can help to tell your friends and family that you’re finding emotions tough at the moment.

Your hormone levels will start to settle down as you go through puberty and you might find that your mood swings don’t happen as often and when they do, they’re less extreme or less of a problem.

It is important to remember that that it is all normal. If you do feel worried, you can speak to someone you trust or even your local school nurses.

Growing body, facial, and pubic hair

When you go through puberty, you’ll usually start to grow hair under your arms, around your genitals, and on your arms and legs. If you’re physically male, you may also grow hair on your chest and face. It’s your choice whether you decide to shave your facial or body hair. If you decide you want to then we’ve got advice to help.

https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/you-your-body/puberty/puberty-facts/#8

Shaving your face

When you reach puberty, you may start seeing more hair growing in different places on your body. For men, one of those places is on your face and at first it can look different to how it looks when an adult grows facial hair. If you want to start shaving, then you’ll need either an electric shaver or a razor, and someone to show you how to do it.

Shaving your face can be tricky and if you use a razor, you’re likely to make a few mistakes at first. Learning takes time but you might learn quicker if you have someone show you how to do it. If your dad can’t show you, is there another male member of your family you could ask? If there isn’t anyone else you’d feel comfortable asking, there are likely be some tutorials online. Try looking for videos of how to shave – you may be able to do it yourself this way.

Razor Basics- Shaving is simply using a razor to remove the tip of the hair shaft that has grown up through the skin. Razors come in a bunch of different forms. There are standard razors that are either completely disposable or have a disposable blade that needs to be replaced regularly, and there are electric razors.

Using an electric razor can be quick and convenient, but many guys find that it may not give the close and accurate shave that a standard razor can. Although using an electric razor is pretty easy (just turn it on and move it around your face), shaving with a standard razor has a few rules to follow.

When you’re using a standard razor, the most important item you need is a clean, sharp blade (the best razors have at least two blades and a movable head). Try to avoid shaving with a dull or blunt blade. At best, a dull blade will give you an uneven shave and leave you with redness, blotches, and patches of unshaven hair on your face and neck. At worst, a dull blade will remove a fair amount of your skin along with the hair! Don’t be afraid of changing the blade (or the razor, if you’re using the disposable kind) often. You’ll be glad you did.

Shaving scrapes natural oils off your face, so the next most important item is some sort of shaving gel to keep your skin from becoming too dry and reduce friction from the razor. Pick a gel you think sounds good and give it a try. If you choose a mentholated shaving gel, be aware that menthol can sometimes cause a slight reaction with some types of skin and may result in red blotches. If this happens to you, don’t worry. Just switch to a non-mentholated shaving cream.

Ouch!- Cuts and nicks are a part of shaving. They won’t happen to you every time, but they will happen. When you nick or cut yourself, be sure to grab a clean tissue or cloth and apply direct pressure to stop the bleeding. If you’ve got a zit or a cut right in the middle of the area you’re going to shave, it’s a good idea to drop the standard razor for a while and use an electric razor or give shaving a break altogether for a few days.

Also, some guys might get ingrown hairs after shaving, in which the hair grows back into the skin. It can pierce the hair follicle, which in turn causes razor bumps. Called folliculitis, this condition can sometimes be handled by using a special safety razor, but this doesn’t always work for every guy. If you experience folliculitis, talk to a dermatologist about the best way to remove your beard and moustache.

How to Shave- Before you begin, be sure to remember to rinse your razor after every few strokes. That way, the razor is cleared of any shaving cream or hair that might clog it up. Also, because the hair on different parts of your face grows in different directions, always try to shave in the direction your hair is growing (shaving against the direction your hair is growing can cause razor burn, redness, and rashes).

Now let’s shave: First, wet your face with hot or warm water. This makes the hair on your face softer and opens your skin’s pores, getting you ready for a closer and easier shave. Even better, try to shave right after you get out of the shower.

Squirt some shaving gel into your hand, then apply it to your face, making sure to cover the sides of your face, chin, mouth area (around your lips), neck, and throat.

Press the razor to the area you want to shave (it’s a good idea to start with the sides of your face as they’re easy to handle). Use short, slow strokes and remember to move the razor in the direction your hair is growing. Don’t press too hard but don’t be too gentle. Find the right touch by making sure the razor is cutting the hair and not your skin. You’ll know if you’re being too gentle if you only remove the shaving cream and the hair is still there.

When the sides of your face are finished, move on to the trickier spots. For areas like your upper lip/moustache area, bottom lip/chin area, and neck/throat area, you’ll have to work a little. Try to stretch your skin a bit to make a flat surface and glide the razor over those tricky areas.

When you’re finished, rinse your clean, smooth face with cold water. If you want to, put on some aftershave. Depending on how fast you grow that beard and moustache, repeat the entire process in 1 to 3 days.

https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/shaving.html

Teaching my 14 year old brother to shave

Other hair removal

Before removing hair, it helps to know about the different types of hair on our bodies. All hair is made of keratin, a hard protein that’s also found in your fingernails and toenails. Hair growth begins beneath the surface of your skin at a hair root inside a hair follicle, a small tube in the skin.

You have two types of hair on your body. Vellus hair is soft, fine, and short. Most women have vellus hair on their chest, back, and face. It can be darker and more noticeable in some women than others, especially those with darker complexions. Vellus hair helps the body maintain a steady temperature by providing some insulation.

Terminal hair is coarser, darker, and longer than vellus hair. It’s the type of hair that grows on your head. Around puberty, terminal hair starts to grow in the armpits and pubic region. On guys, terminal hair begins to grow on the face and other parts of the body such as the chest, legs, and back. Terminal hair is there to provide cushioning and protection.

How Can I Get Rid of Hair?

There are many options for removing hair. Here are the most popular:

Shaving- A razor removes the tip of the hair shaft that has grown out through the skin. Some razors are completely disposable, some have a disposable blade, and some are electric. Guys often shave their faces, and women often shave their underarms, legs, and bikini areas. How Long It Lasts: 1 to 3 days

Pros: Shaving is fairly inexpensive, and you can do it yourself. All you need is some warm water, a razor, and if you choose, shaving gel or cream.

Cons: Razor burn, bumps, nicks, cuts, and ingrown hairs are side effects of shaving. Ingrown hairs can happen with close, frequent shaving. When the hair begins to grow, it grows within the surrounding tissue rather than growing out of the follicle. The hair curls around and starts growing into the skin, irritating it.

Tips: You’ll get a closer shave if you shave in the shower after your skin has been softened by warm water. Go slowly, pulling looser areas of skin taut before running the razor over them. Change razors often to avoid nicks. Using shaving cream may also help protect sensitive skin, like the skin around the genitals. If you’re nervous about cutting yourself, you can try an electric razor instead.

Plucking- Using tweezers, a person stretches the skin tightly, grips the hair close to the root, and pulls it out. How Long It Lasts: 3 to 8 weeks

Pros: Plucking is inexpensive because all you need are tweezers. But it can be time-consuming because you can only remove one hair at a time. Devices called epilators (prices range from $20 to several hundred dollars) can pull out multiple hairs at once.

Cons: Plucking can be painful. If the hair breaks off below the skin, a person may get an ingrown hair. After plucking, you may notice temporary red bumps because the hair follicle is swollen and irritated. Epilators aren’t a good idea for use on areas like eyebrows because they pull out a bunch of hairs at once and don’t give you precise control.

Tips: Make sure you sterilize your tweezers or other plucking devices with rubbing alcohol before and after use to reduce the chance of infection.

Depilatories- A depilatory is a cream or liquid that removes hair from the skin’s surface. They work by reacting with the protein structure of the hair, so the hair dissolves and can be washed or wiped away.

How Long They Last: Several days to 2 weeks

Pros: Depilatories work quickly, are readily available at drugstores and grocery stores, and are inexpensive. They’re best on the leg, underarm, and bikini areas; special formulations may be used on the face and chin.

Cons: Applying depilatories can be messy and many people dislike the odor. If you have sensitive skin, you might have an allergic reaction to the chemicals in the depilatory, which may cause a rash or inflammation. Depilatories may not be as effective on people with coarse hair.

Tips: Read product directions carefully and be sure to apply the product only for the recommended amount of time for best results. If you want to use a depilatory on pubic hair, read product labels to find one that says it’s safe to use on the “bikini” area or genitals.

Waxing- A sticky wax is spread on the area of skin where the unwanted hair is growing. A cloth strip is then applied over the wax and quickly pulled off, taking the hair root and dead skin cells with it. The wax can be warmed or may be applied cold. Waxing can be done at a salon or at home. How Long It Lasts: 3 to 6 weeks

Pros: Waxing leaves the area smooth and is long lasting. Waxing kits are readily available in drugstores and grocery stores. Hair regrowth looks lighter and less noticeable than it is after other methods of hair removal, such as shaving.

Cons: Many people say the biggest drawback to waxing is the discomfort: Because the treatment works by pulling hair out at the roots, it can sting a bit as the hair comes off — luckily that part is fast. People may notice temporary redness, inflammation, and bumps after waxing.

Professional waxing is more expensive than other hair removal methods. However, it can help to get a first waxing treatment done in a salon to watch how the professionals do it (because salon staff are used to waxing all parts of the male and female body there’s no need to feel embarrassed!).

If you use acne medicines such as tretinoin and isotretinoin, you may want to skip waxing because those medicines make the skin more sensitive. People with moles or skin irritation from sunburn should also avoid waxing those areas.

Tips: For waxing to work, hair should be at least ¼ inch (about 6 millimeters) long. So skip shaving for a few weeks before waxing. Waxing works well on the legs, bikini area, and eyebrows.

Electrolysis- Over a series of several appointments, a professional electrologist inserts a probe into the follicle and sends an electric current through the hair root, killing it. A small area such as the upper lip may take a total of 4 to 10 hours and a larger area such as the bikini line may take 8 to 16 hours. How Long It Lasts: Intended to be permanent, but some people have regrowth of hair

Pros: Some people have permanent hair removal.

Cons: Electrolysis takes money and time, so it’s usually only used on smaller areas such as the upper lip, eyebrows, and underarms. Many people describe the process as painful, and dry skin, scabs, scarring, and inflammation may result after treatment. Infection may be a risk if the needles and other instruments aren’t properly sterilized.

Tips: Talk to your doctor if you’re interested in this method. They might be able to recommend an electrologist with the proper credentials.

Laser Hair Removal- A laser is directed through the skin to the hair follicle, where it stops growth. It works best on light-skinned people with dark hair because the melanin (coloured pigment) in the hair absorbs more of the light, making treatment more effective.

How Long It Lasts: May be permanent, but people often need to return every 6 months to a year for maintenance

Pros: This type of hair removal is long lasting and large areas of skin can be treated at the same time.

Cons: A treatment session may cost $400 or more. Side effects of the treatment may include inflammation and redness.

Tips: Using cold packs may help ease any inflammation after treatment. Avoiding the sun before a treatment may make results more effective.

Shaving is something some people want to do once they reach a certain age. When you want to start shaving you might need some help to begin with. But if you don’t have anyone you feel can show you what to do then you can also learn by yourself if you’re careful.

You don’t have to shave anywhere if you don’t want to. No matter what your gender is, it’s important not to shave because of pressure to look a certain way. You should do it because you want to do it. It’s also not cleaner or healthier to shave, so there aren’t any real health benefits to doing it.

If you do decide you want to shave then you’ll need some basic equipment, such as some small scissors, a razor, some shaving cream or gel and you might want some moisturiser too. These things aren’t free so you’ll need to find a way to pay for them if nobody else will buy them for you. They should be easy to find in any supermarket or pharmacy.

For some parts of your body you can probably ask for help from someone more experienced – like for shaving legs or under your arms. Make sure this is a person you trust and is someone who has the right experience to show you what to do. When it comes to shaving your private areas it wouldn’t be appropriate for anyone to show you or watch, so be careful if anyone says they will do that.

If you don’t have anyone you can ask for help then you could find what you need online. When looking for information online it’s best to stick to websites you know have good protection in place so you don’t end up seeing something you don’t want. Somewhere like YouTube is probably a good start. You should be careful if a video or website tells you that you need to buy certain brands or products – be aware as some people might be trying to advertise to you. Try watching a few different videos to get a range of opinions and to help you fully understand what to do.

Some basic advice is that you might want to try shaving when you’re in the shower or bath as warm water can make it easier. Take your time, trim any long hair first with scissors and then use some shaving cream or gel to help the razor glide smoothly across your skin. Don’t press hard, it’s better to be too soft than too hard. It might be that you don’t get all of the hair the first time – if you don’t then wait until the next day to try again.

Sweating more

As you go through puberty you might find you sweat more. This is because your sweat glands change and produce more sweat to help control your body’s temperature.

Keeping the areas that you sweat, like your armpits, clean and dry will help to stop any smell from developing. It’s important to wash, bathe, or shower once or twice a day and wear clean clothes. You can also wear deodorant or antiperspirant to prevent body odour.

If you sweat a lot, try wearing loose-fitting clothes. Cotton material will also help you to cool quicker than polyester or nylon. Change your socks regularly and wear different shoes when you can.

Spots and acne

It’s normal to get spots and blackheads during puberty and you might have acne. Spots and acne are caused by your hormones, not by being dirty or not washing. Your hormones might make you sweat more too. It can be difficult to live with and you might feel embarrassed, upset or depressed because of your acne. Remember, it won’t last forever, and it can help to talk about your feelings.

Not everyone gets acne but if you do, there are gels and creams you can buy to treat it, or your doctor might prescribe medication.

Periods

Puberty is also a time when changes happen inside the body, to prepare it to have a baby one day. Each month a tiny egg is released from one of the ovaries and it moves down the fallopian tube. At the same time the lining of the uterus becomes thick and soft. When your body knows that no baby is growing the egg dies and is reabsorbed into your body. The lining passes out of as blood through your vagina, and this is known as having a period. It is thought that the average person will loses two or three tablespoons of blood and this will usually last for around four or five days.

Towels or tampons?- It is your own personal choice; each person has preferences. Sanitary towels stick into your pants whereas tampons fit inside the vagina. Sanitary towels and tampons need to be changed every few hours. Remember not to flush a towel or tampon down the toilet; wrap it up and put it in a bin. At school you may have noticed some special bins for this. It is more important to be prepared, so talk to a grown up you can trust, such as a parent, carer or school nurse about what is going to happen and what to do when it does.

Changes to your breasts

If you’re a girl or physically female, the size and shape of your breasts can change a lot during puberty and you might find that your nipples become more sensitive than they were before. Breasts come in all shapes and sizes and they’re all normal.

6 facts about breasts:

Lots of people have one breast which is a different size or shape than the other.
It’s normal for breasts to feel sore or tender sometimes, especially just before or during your period.
Breasts can feel heavier or softer before a period.
Nipples come in different shapes and sizes. They can be outward or inward.
The area around the nipple is called the areola and it’s normal for it to be a few shades darker than your breast.
Sometimes nipples have bumps, pimples, or hairs.

You can start wearing a bra whenever you want to, or whenever you feel that it might be more comfortable wearing one. It’s important to get fitted for a bra in a department store or specialist bra shop to make sure you’re wearing the right size. A sports bra can give more support when you’re exercising.

If you’re having sharp pains in your breast, an ache, or you notice a lump on your breast or something that doesn’t seem usual, then it’s important to speak to a doctor. You can ask to see a female doctor if that makes you feel more comfortable.

Erections and producing sperm

If you’re a boy or you have a penis, you’ll usually start to have erections and produce sperm during puberty. This is when your penis goes hard and stiff. Erections can happen when you’re thinking about sex or someone you find attractive. They might also happen at times you’re not expecting, like at school or on the bus. Sometimes it might feel embarrassing, but it happens to most boys.

Sperm are made in the testicles (sometimes called your balls) and are part of the fluid called semen that you ejaculate or cum from your penis. Semen is usually white or grey but can sometimes appear yellowish. Semen becomes more sticky and jelly-like after ejaculation before it turns to liquid again after about 5 to 40 minutes.

A wet dream is when you ejaculate in your sleep and release semen. This is completely normal, especially during puberty, but sometimes it can feel embarrassing or confusing. Usually, wet dreams happen during dreams with sexual thoughts or images. Sometimes you might wake up from a wet dream, but often you’ll sleep through it.

https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/you-your-body/puberty/puberty-body/

Masturbation is natural

Both girls and boys masturbate and it’s completely natural.

Masturbation is when you touch your body and your genitals because it feels good or pleasurable. You can make yourself orgasm or ‘come’ by doing this. It’s a way of discovering your body, how it makes you feel and what kind of things make you feel good during sex. It’s a normal part of life. It’s ok to masturbate in private if you want to and it’s not something to be ashamed of.

Some people masturbate a lot and some people hardly do it at all. Everyone’s different. It’s normal to have urges or want to masturbate often when you’re going through puberty. But there are some things to think about. It’s important to make sure this doesn’t lead to anything that makes someone else feel uncomfortable. For example, masturbating in public when other people are around is not acceptable.

You might get crushes

Having a crush on someone can be a normal part of puberty and growing up. It’s when you feel strongly attracted to someone and you might think about them a lot and imagine being together or having a relationship with them.

Who might I have a crush on?- Your crush might be someone younger, older or a similar age and could be someone you know or someone you don’t know. It’s not always a sexual attraction and you might have a crush on someone of the same sex if you’re straight for example.

Often your crush is someone you admire and look up to. You might like their personality, their abilities, how they behave or how they look. Your crush might never know about your feelings and trying to understand whether they have the same feelings can sometimes feel confusing or frustrating. In some situations, a crush can’t develop into a relationship, especially if your crush is a celebrity or someone like your teacher.

It’s natural to have these feelings and being attracted to someone can feel nice but it can also hurt sometimes, like when the other person doesn’t feel the same way or having a relationship with them isn’t the right thing to do. If you find that thinking about your crush makes it difficult to focus on other things or stops you from doing everyday tasks, its best to talk to a trusted adult and get some support.

Things to remember about puberty

Puberty often begins later in boys that girls
If you’re concerned about your periods speak to a professional
An increase in vaginal discharge is a normal part of puberty
Good hygiene is really important when girls start periods
You can get pregnant if you have sex during your period
If your genital area is itchy or sore this may mean you have an infection, visit your GP or sexual health clinic
If you’re concerned about puberty discuss this with a professional, such as your school nurse, GP or sexual health clinic

Tests and treatments for delayed puberty– Your GP may refer you to a specialist if they think there could be an underlying cause of delayed puberty that needs to be investigated. Tests that may be carried out include a blood test to check hormone levels, a hand X-ray to help determine likely adult height, and an ultrasound or MRI scan to check for problems with glands or organs.

Delayed puberty can be treated by treating any underlying cause or using medication for a few months to increase hormone levels and trigger the start of puberty. Treatment with medication is usually only recommended if the lack of development is causing problems, such as significant distress.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/early-or-delayed-puberty/

https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/you-your-body/puberty/puberty-body/

What are the stages of Puberty? Boy Puberty

Top signs you have hit Puberty (Video for GIRLS only)