Disgust of Facial Hair

Published: October 11, 2017
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I'm a 13 year old boy, and I have this extreme disgust towards facial hair. I hate it so much, especially on my face, and I bought this hair removing cream to remove it several times. I have this fear of growing it, because it makes me feel so conscious, uncomfortable and ugly. I just hate it so much. I also feel mildly uncomfortable seeing adults with facial hair, but not nearly as much as seeing it on my own face. I wish I didn't grow it at all. Is this normal?
Signed: Disgust of Facial Hair

Dear Disgust of Facial Hair,

TeenHealthFX understands that changes to your body can be overwhelming. FX reminds you that all teenagers will undergo bodily changes as puberty begins, and it is normal to feel uneasy about these changes at first.

One of the first signs of puberty is hair growth. Boys will grow hair underneath their armpits, around their genitals and on their faces. Facial hair generally grows about 2 years after pubic hair appears. As the cycle of puberty continues, hair grows longer and thicker.

Everyone has their own personal preference about facial hair hygiene and grooming. While some men choose to keep all of their facial hair, others decide to remove it completely. If you continue to remove your hair facial hair, be sure that you are doing so safely. The skin on your face is sensitive, so hair removal should be done slowly and with caution.

TeenHealthFX suggests reading the following resources for further information:

 

If you continue to experience discomfort with the facial hair that you are growing, FX suggests scheduling an appointment with your physician. He/she can discuss your bodily changes. If you don't have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at 973-971-5199 for an appointment with an adolescent medicine specialist or contact your local teen health center or Planned Parenthood. A Planned Parenthood health center is a good option if you have concerns about cost or confidentiality issues. You can also contact your insurance company for a list of in-network providers. 

Signed: TeenHealthFX

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