Ear piercing is a popular fashion trend among teens. Done properly, it is quite safe. However, teens who have a tendency to bleed heavily, have allergies to metals, are unusually susceptible to infections, or who tend to form kiloid scars, may want to think twice about getting their ears pierced, or may want to ask […]
Acne is a teenage fact of life for 73% of young people between the ages of 12 and 19. The major cause of acne is heredity, which determines skin type. The surge of hormonal activity in adolescents can cause the oil or sebaceous glands, most numerous on the face, chest and back, to become more
Many teenagers, unhappy with a facial feature or body contour, ask about plastic surgery. While cosmetic surgery can be a help to some, it isn’t for every teen. The most common procedures that may be beneficial to teens are: ⢠rhinoplasty – surgery on the nose ⢠odoplasty – surgery on prominent ears This can
Many teen girls worry about breast size, usually because they feel their breasts are too small. They wonder if they’re normal, and if they’ll grow more. Reassure your daughter that development is a process lasting some years. Studies show that the average white American female does not reach a final stage of breast growth and
Young people reach puberty at very different rates following their bodies’ own timetable. Being different from average is most stressful for girls when physical development starts at an early age. The first menstrual can happen in some very normal girls as early as the age of nine. Early development can be difficult for a girl
Two of the most common eating disorders seen in teens are anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Anorexia nervosa usually occurs in young women, but occasionally afflicts young men. The symptoms include obsessional fear of obesity coupled with refusal to eat, compulsive exercising, severe weight loss and body image distortion. This causes a severely underweight teen to
Obesity during the teenage years can be a difficult experience. It can limit opportunities, and further damage body image. Also, your teen’s attempts to diet may become a power struggle between yourself and your teen. How can you help your overweight teenager? Here’s some ideas: 1. Don’t use criticism or threats to motivate your over-
Teenage girls are most at risk for developing eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Both boys and girls can be at risk for compulsive overeating and obesity. Being even more specific, who are the teenagers most at risk for eating disorders? • First, perfectionistic teens are at high risk for anorexia nervosa and
It’s amazing how many “Old Wives’ Tales” there are about babies. Many are passed down from generation to generation, but just because Grandma says so doesn’t mean it’s true. Here are some: “A fat baby is a healthy baby.” Not true. The fact is that fat babies often turn out to be fat adults. “Solid
If a therapist has recommended psychiatric hospitalization or other in-patient therapy for your teen, The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry recommends asking the following questions: 1. Why is this treatment being recommended? 2. How will it help? 3. What are the alternatives and how do they compare? 4. What does the treatment program
