The teenage years are a difficult time for both kids and parents alike. While most teenagers are extremely adept about their physical appearance (now that the opposite sex is involved), including teenage girls wearing make-up and Airy Hair extensions and teenage boys using hair gel and cologne, many pre-teens have yet to pick up on practicing good physical hygiene even though their bodies have already started maturing.

Although it can be tricky to talk with them about their maturing habits, it is important to encourage them and support them through these changes, giving them advice on how to be responsible and handle their maturing hygiene issues.

Here are a few basics to teach your pre-teens.

Shower

When your teens were kids, it was a lot simpler to keep their hair clean and healthy. In their young age, you were able to help them lather, rinse, and repeat. As they age and gain more independence, they are not always interested in your input, especially when it comes to their appearance. However, the more kids mature, the more they need to shower and care for not only their bodies, but also their hair.

Hair can get extremely greasy during the pre-teen years, especially if your pre-teens engage in sports or other activities where they sweat profusely. Whereas skipping a shower a day or two was not too much of an issue a few years ago, chances are, they will probably need to shower on a more regular basis.

Teeth Care

Brushing teeth has never been more important than it is when your kids reach the pre-teen stage, especially if they have braces. Braces, though they are working to straighten your child’s teeth, have an uncanny ability to get food stuck in them. When food gets stuck, it is not only a little gross, it is also bad for your child’s teeth. Having food sitting against the teeth can lead to cavities, bad breath, and other teeth and gums diseases. Keep mouthwash and floss on hand as well, as these products can help them get into the habit of practicing good oral hygiene.

Body Odor

Obviously, as mentioned earlier, showering regularly can help with body odor. However, mature bodies need help throughout the day. Deodorant and body lotion can help keep your pre-teen’s body feeling and smelling fresh instead of smelling like sweaty body odor, which is not pleasant.

Acne

As the body changes, so does your child’s face. Acne tends to spring up during the pre-teen years. With the body’s hormone changes, the skin typically becomes more oily, which leads to face and body acne. Teaching your pre-teens to wash their face daily with a proper cleanser will help keep their face clean and acne free. Try to encourage your pre-teen to leave their acne alone as much as possible, as picking at their acne can lead to permanent acne scars. If treatment is needed, have them visit a dermatologist. You might also want to choose products that contains lactic acid as this is the most gentle compared to other types of alpha hydroxi acids. Pre-teens tend to have more sensitive skin compared to young adults that’s why it’s a must to be careful of what you do to your skin.

Teaching them in their pre-teen years can help them have good habits as they continue into adulthood.