Sixteen Year Old Guy Concerned About Body Hair

Reader’s Question

Hi, I am a sixteen year old guy. I am an athlete and am happy for the most part with my body. My big downfall that causes me some depression is my hair on my chest and abs. I have more hair than 95% of my friends. I know that many adult men have a hairy chest, but at my age it is pretty rare. Sometimes my friends will make fun of me or give me grief about my hair. Most of the time it doesn’t bother me but sometimes I let it get to me. I have tried shaving it but I usually get red bumps on my body. What should I do?

Our Consulting Clinical Psychologist’s Reply

Chest hair is a secondary sexual characteristic that usually surfaces in the late teens. You have probably received yours early. What you are describing is normal. You are also describing something else that is totally normal — teenage teasing. As a teen, everyone gets teased about something — too tall, too short, too skinny, too heavy, too smart, etc. You’ll find that most people handle teasing with humor. In truth, those teasing you don’t understand why they don’t have hair yet. Teenage males and females compare their physical development with their friends and you are physically maturing earlier and faster. You might remind them that when they reach puberty — at 25 — they’ll probably have hair as well. In other words, don’t take it personally and use the teasing as an opportunity for light-hearted conversation and joking.

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