Body hair and sweat

During puberty new hair starts to grow on your body. It usually appears low on your belly first, then under your arms a bit later. The hair on your arms and legs may get darker too. How much you have, what colour it is and how thick it is varies a lot and often runs in families.

This isn't a health matter. It is your own choice. Body hair isn't dirty and leaving it alone is completely fine. If you do want to remove it, ask your mum or another woman you trust to show you how first. Use a clean razor of your own and don't share it. You might get some itching or small red bumps. Shaving doesn't make hair grow back thicker. The cut tip just feels blunter.

The sweat glands under your arms become much more active at this age. Sweat itself hardly smells at all, but it starts to smell when it mixes with bacteria on your skin. It doesn't mean you are dirty.

• Shower every day or as often as you can, especially after sport.
• Wash under your arms with soap and dry well.
• Put deodorant on clean, dry skin. A mild, simple one is fine.
• Wear cotton and change your underwear and top every day.
• Change your socks daily and let your shoes dry out.

If a deodorant irritates your skin, try another or ask a pharmacist. Perfume doesn't remove sweat smell, so it can't replace washing.