Skin and Hair Changes At Puberty

Do you miss having a clean, fresh face like you had when you were a kid? Have you ever wondered why your skin, like your body, has changed as you have grown up? Yes!! The most visible and noticeable changes in skin occur as a result of hormonal changes in the body. Between childhood and maturity, there is a period known as puberty. A child’s life changes dramatically in this era, both physically and emotionally. Teenage is the time in a person’s life when he or she matures sexually. Teenagers undergo several physical and physiological changes during puberty. It is a natural process that occurs between the ages of 10 and 14 for females and 12 and 16 for males. This read will take you through the changes that take place in the body during puberty and foods that help to manage them.

PHYSICAL CHANGES IN GIRLS AND BOYS During puberty

1. BODY SIZE:

Body size of boys starts increasing. You may observe that legs, arms, hands, feet are growing faster than the rest of the body. This sometimes makes a teen feel awkward but, frequent growth spurts are absolutely common in boys as they enters puberty phase.

2. BREAST GROWTH:

The upper body muscles begin to develop. Some boys may experience swelling in the breast area. The reason for this is only hormonal changes. It is a temporary condition which is common in teenage boys. Encourage him to start some regular exercises. It will help in growth.

3. VOICE CHANGE:

As a boy enters puberty phase, his voice may change. If you feel that your boy’s voice is cracking, he is going through the natural effects of male puberty. His voice will become deeper in some days.

4. HAIR GROWTH:

Boys get hair growth around genital area. They will also start having hairs on face (Beard and mustache), under their arms, and on legs. Boys generally love this change as they considered facial hairs as sign of manhood.

5. ACNE:

The most common issue is Acne. Almost all teenagers weather boys or girls face break out with pimples from time to time. It is caused as glands in the skin start producing natural oils called sebum. This happens because of increase in puberty hormones in male or boys. This extra sebum clog the skin pores which results in acne.  

6. BODY ODOR:

It is considered as one of the earliest sign of puberty. Boys begin to sweat profusely because of hormonal changes. Sweat itself has no smell. It is just odorless salty water. But the sweat glands located under the arms in the groin produce sebum which get mixed with sweat and make the kids stink.

7. TESTICLES AND SCROTUM:

As the body grows, some changes can be seen in their testicles and scrotum too. It is a natural process just as girls get their periods. The body is getting ready for the process of reproduction.

Physiological Skin changes at puberty:

During puberty, the body produces an increase in reproductive hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. These three hormones are in charge of puberty and are responsible for stimulating the sebaceous glands. These glands produce and secrete an oily substance known as sebum. Sebaceous glands grow in size and begin secreting sebum at the start of puberty. During puberty, these glands become overactive and produce excessive sebum, resulting in oily skin, clogged follicles, dead skin cells, and acne.

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions during puberty, but its severity varies greatly depending on hormone imbalances, genetics, and environmental factors. Puberty acne appears mostly on the back, upper chest, neck, shoulders, and, most commonly, the face during puberty.

Few tips to deal with skin changes at puberty:

• Harsh scrub should be avoided. Acne-prone skin should be washed with gentle cleanser and warm water. Pat with a soft cloth. Repeat one to two times per day.
• Oil based products which are known to clog pores should be avoided.
• Sun protection and moisturizer should be used.
• Picking, squeezing or popping acne lesions should be avoided.
• Eating right.

Physiological hair changes at puberty:

Just as like your skin, puberty affects the hair too. As previously stated, our bodies contain glands that produce oil (sebum) to moisturize our hair. During puberty, hormonal changes cause these glands to become overactive, resulting in more sebum (oil) secretion than is necessary. Excess oil secretion results in an oily scalp or hair. Because of these things, teenagers and pre-teens find it annoying and even upsetting. On the contrary, some teenagers during puberty may experience skin and hair dryness due to decreased sebum secretion.

Few tips to deal with hair changes at puberty:

• Proper hair care can help to regulate the excess oil.
• Gentle hair wash with less harsh hair care products.
• The frequency of shampooing varies based on hair types as oily hair washing should be at least 3 times per week.
• Regular use of natural conditioners is also a good way to keep your hair healthy.
• Eating right.

HORMONE BALANCING FOODS to manage changes at puberty:

1. MANJISHTHA:

Manjishtha is a powerful blood cleanser. It detoxes and purifies the blood. Apart from that, it aids in the removal of blood flow obstructions and promotes great blood circulation. This aids in the treatment of acne. This herb also helps to lift your spirits, leaving you peaceful and relaxed. It elevates your mood by increasing Dopamine levels in your blood (a neurotransmitter that regulates brain activity). Manjishtha’s anti-stress and nootropic properties aid to keep your mind at ease. It also helps in managing hair problems like dandruff, greying of hairs and hair fall.

2. TURMERIC:

Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory qualities are well-known. Furthermore, it aids in the management of hormone imbalances by regulating estrogen metabolism. It provides excellent liver support. Curcumin, the main ingredient in turmeric, has been found in studies to help the liver detoxify. This improves the liver’s ability to flush out harmful poisons that cause hormone imbalances. It is quite important. Curcumin has also been shown to help with puberty initiation in the event of delayed puberty in a few trials.

3. NEEM:

Neem offers a variety of medical characteristics and benefits in addition to balancing hormones. It is a powerful antioxidant that aids in the cleansing of the blood. This herb is an excellent hormonal acne treatment as well as a potent healer. It treats acne-prone skin that has been plagued by several ailments since adolescence. Neem also possesses anti-inflammatory, astringent, and antibacterial qualities, which aid in the treatment of hormonal acne.

4. NUTS:

For your hormones to function properly, the right amount of good fat is essential as your hormones thrive on fat production. Nuts such as peanut, cashew, and almonds are good sources of the same. Almonds have great estrogenic activity. Therefore, it impacts our endocrine system and regulates our major body glands. Whereas, cashews and peanuts have healthy phytoestrogens.

5. SEEDS:

Sunflower, pumpkin, and melon seeds are excellent sources of healthy fats. Vitamin E, antioxidants, magnesium, zinc, potassium, and vitamin K are all abundant in them. They help in balancing body’s estrogen and progesterone levels. Not only that, but they’re beneficial to your overall health because they aid digestion, cell growth, and keep your nervous system in good shape.

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ON INGREDIENTS FOR HORMONE BALANCE:

Manjistha: There is convincing scientific evidence that a Manjistha helps in making the skin complexion even, cure acne and lighten dark spots. Read here.

Neem: There is wide research on the role of Neem in reducing acne and hair fall. Read here.

Turmeric: There is scientific evidence that supports the claim that turmeric helps in reducing acne. Read here.

FOODS TO AVOID:

REFINED SUGAR:

Refined sugar and carbs can cause substantial hormonal imbalance. Sugar causes the body’s most critical hormone, Insulin, to malfunction. Insulin interacts with a number of other hormones in the body, including estrogen and testosterone. Furthermore, it depletes vitamin B levels in the body, leading to anxiety and sadness over time.

Greatest source of sugar in the average kid’s diet are sugary snacks and beverages like cookies, cakes, candies, fruit juice, soda, and sports drinks. Everything that the child picks up to eat today has strains of added sugar in some form or the other.

PRESERVATIVES: 

Most of the packaged food companies are adding artificial preservatives to delay spoilage and contamination in foods.  To clearly define, artificial preservatives such as nitrates, benzoates, sulphites, sorbates, parabens, formaldehyde, BHT, BHA and several others can cause serious health hazards. Hormone imbalances, hypersensitivity, allergy, asthma, hyperactivity, neurological damage are some hazards.

REFINED OIL: 

Broadly speaking, all natural and useful elements are removed from oil during the refining process. This is bad for your hormones, digestive system, and respiratory system, and ultimately has a negative impact on your general health.

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