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Puberty is a critical developmental stage in a person’s life when the body transitions from a childlike to an adult state. This process is controlled by a complex interaction of hormones, including oestrogen in girls and testosterone in boys. These hormones are responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics and cause profound changes in the body and behavior.
During puberty, the hair follicles change significantly under the influence of increasing hormone production. Testosterone, which is present in both sexes, although in higher amounts in boys, stimulates the growth of facial, pubic and underarm hair. These changes typically begin around the day of the first visible signs of puberty and continue for several years.
In girls, oestrogen leads to changes in hair growth, whereby the hair can become longer and thicker overall. The hormones also have an effect on hair structure and can change the way hair grows and looks.
In addition to the changes in hair growth, the increased hormone activity, in particular the production of testosterone, leads to increased activity of the sebaceous glands in the skin and scalp. This increased oil production can lead to oily hair and the development of acne, a common problem during puberty. Acne occurs when excess sebum and dead skin cells clog the hair follicles, leading to inflammation and the formation of pimples, blackheads and other skin blemishes.
Puberty is therefore a time of great change for the hair and skin, characterized by hormonal fluctuations that affect the growth and texture of the hair and can lead to the development of skin problems such as acne. Appropriate skin and hair care that is tailored to the needs of changing skin and hair can help to overcome these challenges.
