Is This Normal? - Darcie Johnston American Girl

Скачать книгу

get older, if you want to deal with more than a

      few hairs, a chemical hair remover or bleach made just for the face is a

      possibility. Both are available in drugstores, but they can burn your skin

      and must be used carefully and always with a parent—never on your

      own. Another option is professional waxing, which is effective but has

      an “ouch” factor. Every method has pros and cons. Start slow.

images

      Dear American Girl,

      I am 10 and I have super-hairy arms and legs. Some

      people make fun of me and I try to laugh with them,

      but it really does hurt.

      Fuzzy

      All people have hair everywhere on their bodies, ranging from fine

      to thick and from light to dark. It’s normal and healthy. But if your

      body hair bothers you—and only you—you could try making some of

      your hair less noticeable. Talk with a parent about your feelings, and

      ask your doctor for any recommendations he or she might have for

      someone your age. As for the teasing, laughing along may help keep

      insensitive remarks from getting out of hand. But if you’re feeling hurt,

      try leveling with these people, especially if they are your friends: “You

      probably don’t mean to hurt my feelings, but it bothers me when you

      make fun of me. Please stop.”

images

       Face & Skin

      Dear American Girl,

      My skin is getting greasy. My mom had greasy skin and

      pimples when she was my age. Is there anything I can do to

      keep my skin from breaking out?

      Grease Face

      Oily skin isn’t a bad thing. Without oil, your skin would feel dry and

      rough. But as you start puberty, your oil glands may start working

      overtime, clogging your pores and leading to breakouts. The best way

      to avoid breakouts is to care for your skin before they happen: Wash

      your face every morning and night with warm water and an oil-free

      cleanser, and follow up with an oil-free face lotion. Avoid pore-

      cleaning strips and toners—they’re meant for adult skin. And don’t

      wash your skin more than twice a day. If you strip your face of too

      much oil, your glands will work extra hard

      to give your skin back the oil it lost.

      To fight shine during the day,

      just blot your skin with

      clean facial tissues.

images

      Dear American Girl,

      I have TONS of pimples and blackheads on my face.

      What can you recommend?

      Need Answers

      To help get pimples under control, look for the ingredient salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide on the label of an oil-free acne gel or cream. Benzoyl peroxide kills bacteria that can cause pimples, and salicylic acid mainly helps keep pores from clogging. To use either one, spread a small amount (about the size of a pea) evenly around your face after washing and drying it. Be careful to keep it away from your eyes and mouth—it’s strong stuff. Use the product only two or three times a week to start, and work up to using it every day if your skin doesn’t get too dry or irritated. Experiment to see which one works best for you. If your acne is more severe, try using them together, or use one in the morning and the other at night. If this doesn’t help get your acne under control, talk to your parents about seeing your doctor. Treatments are available that can help even the most severe cases.

images

      Dear American Girl,

      I have pimples on my arms. I wash my arms, but they are

      still there. What should I do? Is this normal?

      Getting Picked on by Pimples!

      During puberty, many girls get small, skin-colored bumps on their

      upper arms or thighs. The bumps aren’t pimples, although they may

      look like them. Instead, they’re a harmless condition called keratosis pilaris, which just means “bumpy skin.” To help them go away, try using a washcloth or loofah in the shower (gently—no hard scrubbing!), and then use an oil-free moisturizer. No matter what, the bumps will start to disappear as you get older.

images

      Dear American Girl,

      My friends always tell me I’m really pale, and

      sometimes I get teased about my freckles. Can

      you please give me advice?

      Snowgirl

      Freckles and fair skin are part of who you are, along with your hair and

      eye color. Try letting your friends know you’re OK with the features you

      were born with by saying, “I like my freckles” or “I think they’re cool.”

      It’s true that you have no control over your freckles, but one thing you

      can—and should—control is your exposure to the sun, which can cause

      a different kind of freckles and sunburn, too. Use a sunblock with an SPF

      of 30 or higher, and stay out of the sun in the middle of the day to avoid

      damaging your fair skin. Wearing a hat with a brim that shades your face

      is also a good idea.

images

      Dear American Girl,

      I blush all the time, which is already embarrassing, but I

      have a friend who laughs at me whenever it happens, and

      that makes it 10 times worse. How can I stop blushing, and

      how can I get her to stop teasing me?

      Red Face

      Blushing is your body’s way of reacting to stress. Some people sweat,

      some people shake, some people (like you) blush. And as you already

      know, when someone points out your blushing, it only makes your

      cheeks burn brighter. The next time your friend laughs, try saying, “I

      feel even more embarrassed when you point it out. I wish you wouldn’t

      do that.” Let her know that the friendliest thing she can do is ignore

      your flushed face and change the subject. That will give you a chance

      to cool your hot cheeks by taking lots of deep breaths or splashing

      them with cold water.

images

      Dear

Скачать книгу