Puberty can be described in one word - revolution. The transformation from child to adult involves not only external change, but also internal change. During the transition, trichological problems can arise. We looked at this correlation in girls.
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Adolescence is divided into 3 stages. The first is preparatory to the full bloom phase. It lasts from approximately 8.-9. to 10.-12 years of age. The second - proper puberty. It starts from 11.-12 years of age and ends when the child reaches 15.-16 years of age. The final stage, on the other hand, full puberty, lasts until 16.-18 years of age. Puberty in girls, which incidentally lasts for almost 10 years, is an extremely extensive period. Among other things, there is a sudden change in growth, the first menstrual period appears and fertility ability. Such great changes in the body also affect the psyche.
First hair problems
Anyone who has experienced puberty knows very well what a specific and, often, difficult period it is in our lives. The emotional problems and stress that accompany us during this time have a number of side effects, including hair problems. The most common are seborrhoea, itchy skin, folliculitis, dandruff or hair loss. Let's take a closer look at these problems.
Seborrhoea
Seborrhoea, as the name suggests, is associated with excessive sebum production by the glands. The condition is particularly common during puberty and the sebaceous glands are highly regulated by hormones. Their function is to inhibit or stimulate the cells to behave in a particular way, depending on the situation. Complications arise when there is an imbalance between them - one is dominated by the other. The skin on the face and scalp is most vulnerable to the side effects, so these areas of the body get the most oily.
Of course, we cannot blame puberty alone. The tendency to seborrhoea is also genetically determined. However, it is all based on the hormonal economy, which is also passed on to us with our genes.
Also to blame for our poor facial skin and hair condition are... stress and hyperactivity. Cortisol and adrenaline are secreted very rapidly in times of emotional tension and, as the receptors for these hormones are located in the sebaceous glands, this is reflected in our outward appearance.
It is worth remembering that if we are confronted with the problem of seborrhoea, daily and appropriate care is extremely important. If we do not take special care of these parts of our body, microorganisms proliferate, which in turn cause itching and irritation.
Itching of the skin
Irritation of the scalp manifests itself primarily through itching, but also through redness, burning or flaking. There can be many reasons for this, but the most common are improper hair care, stress, improperly performed hair treatments and increased seborrhoea. The main culprit is the bacterial flora, which, with its altered composition, causes micro-organisms to multiply excessively.
Falling out hair, photo: panthermedia
Folliculitis
A folliculitisproblem occurs when bacteria begin to enter the hair follicle through the mouths of the glands. Inflammation then develops, which can spread to other follicles - by scratching the hypersensitive area.
Inflammation can appear in 2 different forms. The first, which is non-infectious, is mainly caused by agents that irritate or excessively dry the skin. Inflammation may follow. The second form of inflammation is more problematic because it is infectious. It is caused by bacteria called purulent streptococcus and staphylococcus aureus. Both the first and second infections are caused by damaged skin, which the bacteria can easily penetrate. Excessive sweating or seborrhoea also does not help.
Dandruff
Dandruff is a common term for excessive keratinisation and is associated with increased exfoliation of the epidermis within the hairy skin. It can occur dry or greasy.
Dry dandruff most often occurs when the pH of our skin is disturbed, which is an ideal environment for the growth of yeast. The consequence is a fine flaky scaling of the epidermis. In addition, irritation of the scalp and hair loss are equally troublesome symptoms.
Oily dandruff, on the other hand, develops in people whose scalp tends to become oily. It is caused by a yeast-like fungus and manifests itself as sebum-soaked, small and compact flakes of skin. Excessive keratinisation can also be associated with other conditions such as ringworm, seborrhoeic dermatitis or psoriasis.
Hair loss
The problem associated with excessive hair loss is, unfortunately, common during adolescence. Often the culprit is not a genetic effect or a health disorder, but the pursuit of the ideal - especially for girls. A lack of a balanced diet or overly restrictive nutritional standards have a direct impact on the condition of skin and hair. A lack of vitamins, proteins or nutrients necessary for the body to function properly leads to significantly weakened hair. Seborrhoea and itching can also cause hair loss, which is why proper hair care is extremely important to eliminate unpleasant symptoms.
How to help the young person?
Adolescence is the most important time of our lives. This is because we are turning into adults and not only our external appearance, but also our personality is being formed. A number of changes mean that young people may find it difficult to accept their new self, so it is very important to take an individual approach and explain the mechanisms of the problems resulting from puberty.
