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Video

Girl 1: Girls get it on their legs, armpits and bits,

Boy 2: face, maybe bum

Hollie-Jay Bowes: i like a little bit of a hairy chest but i don’t mind it being smooth

John Pickard: it’s good to trim it and keep it in tow you know because it can get a bit out of hand can’t it, a bit like the amazon at times

*******

Dr Dawn: Puberty changes the body dramatically. And hair is no exception. By around 11 or 12 most girls will start to notice pubic hair growing in the groin area. After a year or two it’ll start to take the triangular shape of adulthood and under arm hair will start to come through.

As girls get older pubic hair may grow down the inner thighs and towards the belly button. By late teens growth will be complete. And hair may also develop around the nipples and on the upper lip.

Boys on the other hand will have grown very little pubic hair by 12 or 13 and it’s not until mid teens that hair sprouts under the arms, and appears on the chin and upper lip.

Most boys will be shaving by their late teens and the pubic hair will be coarser like that of an adult.

But guys keep developing body hair in their twenties and beyond.

*******

John Pickard: I was about 12 or 13 when i like got pubes and stuff so, yeah you know it’s one of those things you always wanted and they come along eventually but you do worry that you’re not gonna get them.

Boy 2: As i get older and i start to develop more hair like on my chest and my back more than likely i’ll get rid of it on my back because to be honest i don’t really want to be told to comb my back or anything.

*******

Dr Dawn: The amount of hair you have depends on hormones, genetics and your ethnic background.

Some people let their body hair grow; others get rid of it.

It’s a personal choice.

Oh and by the way, shaving doesn’t make your hair come back thicker!

*******

Girl 2: Personally i have a thing about if someone has armpit hair it really annoys me. So i am quite fussy about that but other hairs i think you can do what you want with them.

Boy 3: I’m not a big fan of body hair on girls or at least not on the face where I can see it.

John Pickard: You know women doesn’t really bother me you know it’s all the rage now to have a Brazillian a Hollywood all that kind of thing but you know if its natural its fine with me.

*******

Dr Dawn: It’s quite usual in your teens to have greasy hair because hormones increase the production of oils.

This can by combated byÖ

Washing your hair once a day and after exercise.

Eating a low fat diet.

Not playing with your hair.

Not wearing hats all the time.

Using shampoos that suit your hair type.

And avoiding too many styling products like gels and sprays

Loads of you have commented on this website on hair issues.

From greying in your teens, to balding and dandruff.

Which only goes to show that you’re not alone.

For example, nearly one third of men are noticeably balding by the age of 30.

The most likely reason is genetics.

Premature greying is a similar story. If your Mum got grey hair in her late teens – then you probably will too.

**********

Girl 3: I haven’t worried about grey hair yet but i’m thinking when i do get gray hair in years to come i’ll just dye it over.

Boy 1: I wouldn’t really mind if my hair turned grey but i would be quite worried if i started to go bald. Probably end up wearing a toupee.

John Pickard: Well my Dad’s gone bald so i’ve probably got it to come – you know they says it’s hereditary don’t they. So I’ll have to take it on the chin so i’ll be happy if i’m bald.

Read the video transcript

Am I Normal: Hair

Dr Dawn Harper discusses what is and isn’t normal when it comes to body hair. For both girls and boys, growing up can lead to the development of body hair in some surprising places. Dr Dawn looks at some of the common concerns and gets the opinions of the cast of Hollyoaks.

If you’d prefer to watch this video on your mobile, then download our specially produced version for your mobile phone from the Channel 4 Mobile site.

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If you think your child may be going through early puberty, check our guide especially for parents on Embarrassing Bodies: Kids website.

With thanks to:
Hollyoaks
University of Birmingham Hockey Club
Llanelli Youth Theatre
Tetbury Hospital

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Comments and Questions

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I am 15 years old and I've been getting hair inside my bum cheeks..... i'm nervous about what will my boyfriend will think and he's getting more physical all the time and i dont want to like... have a really hairy body.





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Is it good to shave your pubic hair? please help.





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I am 13 years old, i dont want to shave because i am afraid of. I no it sounds silly but i dont want to because im unsure of were to shave. I am allways trying to avoid swimming because i dont want any to pop out when i get out of the swimming baths, HELP PLEASE.





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don't worry, just shave wherever you want all just down the sides. You don't even have to shave you can use special hair removal cream for down below or even wax!:) If your still worried speak to someone older you trust or even wear shorts when you swim just to cover everything up:)xxxx

hi im 17 an i have trouble with down below when shavin, il shave the day b4 an day after iv got red rashes an pricles comin back through, wot can i do so i im not constantly shavin down there, please help me!!





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i have a lot of hair on my lower back and bum i think this is really embarassin please help!





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when i shave pubic hairs they come back the next day but if i keep shaving everyday with a razor red spots + rashes come up + hair removal creams dont work. what do i do?





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i get the same problem "/

I shave my everythin even the hairs inside my bum its normal im a 21year old girl so please girls stop worryin or it will take over ur life gd luck :-)





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Hi, I'm a 15 year old girl and I have no idea what boys like when it comes to pubic hair... please give me feedback because I don't want my boyfriend to not like it if he sees. Thanks x





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U should ask ur self if u like ur pubic hair if yes then keep it if no then get it wax dnt worry wot ur bf thinks if he loves u then he would just want u 2 do wot u want about ur hair n a lot of boys like a bit of hair dwn there lol

Hey, im 16 year old female . and i have hair in the inside of my bum cheeks but theres quite alot there , i keep shaving in but it comes back the next day but i cant keep doing that everyday :/ . HELP pleasee .x





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Mee to :( HELP please xx

Do boys prefer shaved pubic hair or non-shaved?





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Some like it shaved, some like it bushy and some like it waxed. If you hate pubic hair but want a painless solution then shave it. Just look at your pubic area and shave it see how you feel. If you hate it then it will grow back.





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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