Teen Health and Beauty

Instructions

To ask the Team your own questions, simply use the comment field below. Then check back shortly to find your answers within this article.

Current Questions

I have a very small chest, a small B. I'm 16 years old and I feel like all the guys ignore me because of it. I always hear guys talking about other girls... I don't think they even notice me. I am really thinking about plastic surgery but I'm too young now. I just feel so insecure, and I keep comparing my body to the other girls. Please help, thanks. ~~Insecure

Advice from Melissa

Dear Insecure:

You are a small B? That’s great. Hold your head high, and stand up straight! Guys who only like girls for the size of their chest are idiots and shallow. Some of the most beautiful women in the world are not big busted--Kate Hudson, Keira Knightly, Natalie Portman, and Michelle Pfieffer... there is an endless list. Your insecurity is also normal and our media doesn’t help because it sends mixed messages, especially to young women about what “ideal” body type is. In the USA, we have lots of teens battling anorexia and bulimia. We also have 8 year olds wearing lipstick and poofing their hair because of image issues. It’s wrong and we have a lot of work to do as a society and as parents to help our daughters and sons with self esteem. Sorry for the rant. You are too young for surgery, and at 16 years old, you shouldn’t even consider it. So don’t go there. Find something special about yourself. I know there’s plenty for you to be proud of. Hang out with people who think you are terrific, just as you are. In the meantime, check out (2) sites: tbio.org and Campaign for Real Beauty.

~~Melissa

Advice from Katie

DEAR INSECURE: DO NOT GET PLASTIC SURGERY. That is the un-sexiest thing ever, I promise (only idiots like girls who look like that, I'm serious). And people WILL be able to tell they are fake. (I heard somewhere that if you bend your leg so that your heel touches the top of the thigh, and squeeze the calf muscle at the top of the knee- well, that's what a breast implant feels like. Not to mention the gnarly scars. (Ewwwwwwwwwww).

Why do you need to be large-chested? Being flat chested is fashionable (I'm completely serious- open up a magazine and take a good look. Unless it’s MAXIM or something, most of the models and actresses featured have smaller chests). When you have a large chest, whenever you wear something you have to worry about looking sleazy and sluttish (instead of being sexy and confident you're all, "Are my boobs falling out? Do I look like a pirate hooker?" And sometimes, you WILL end up accidentally looking like a pirate hooker, but it will be at someplace like your baby cousins bar mitzvah and all your great aunts will think that you are a woman of easy virtue).

And those boys who don't notice you? Trust me, the attention you get from guys who only notice your breasts is not attention that you want. If you're stacked, people automatically assume things about you that aren't necessarily true.

I know you want to be noticed, but you don't want to be lechered after either, trust me.

When you're young, the first girls to grow breasts are always idolized and considered soooo hot by the guys, but then as we all grow up, and most everyone has breasts- well, then the first girls aren’t that special anymore. So don't fret. And, instead of surgery, might I direct you to a Victoria's Secret or a Wonderbra from time to time? Breast-enhancing technology is an advanced and fascinating field.

~~Katie

I'm 16 years old and I really want to get a tattoo of my boyfriend's name on my arm but when I mentioned it, my parents came close to having a heart attack. I love him and he already has my name tattooed on his arm. I feel really guilty that I haven't already gotten the tattoo. Do you think I should get the tattoo or listen to my parents and wait? ~~ Karla

Advice from Melissa

Hi Karla:

I used to work in public health and I’ve seen horrible cases of infected tattoos because of dirty needles. So I can understand why your parents are concerned. But that’s not what you are thinking about right now—you’re in love and for you, it’s all about expressing that love. You’re sixteen, and while you are underage and living at home, you’ll have to abide by your parents wishes and expectations. Period.

If you and your boyfriend are still together when you are 18 years old, you can revisit that conversation with your parents. For now, try to have patience. You can bake him a cake, have his picture as a screen saver, you can buy a charm bracelet and have his name inscribed... there are many other options to show you care. As an aside, I will tell you that I have many friends who tattooed boyfriends/girlfriends names on their skin, and are desperately trying to remove it since they are no longer together. And they tell me it HURTS really bad!!!! (the tattoo removal part). Something to think about.

~~Melissa

Advice from Katie

Hi Karla:

Don't get a tattoo of your boyfriends name! haven't you learned anything from Johnny Depp's "Winona Forever" debacle? (Hint: it didn’t last. And they weren't sixteen, they were engaged). I'm not saying you and Mr. Boyfriend won't last, but it almost sounds like the only reason you're thinking about getting a tattoo is because he has a tattoo of your name and you feel guilty.

THAT IS A HORRIBLE REASON TO GET A TATTOO. It should be your choice, and not an obligation.

But even if you want to get a tattoo, don't get his name. Get a tattoo of something that reminds you of him (so that JUST IN CASE if things ever go sour, you can pretend the heart on your ankle is about how much you love...Doritos, or Unicorns, I don't know). Also, if your parents won't take you to get a tattoo, you'll probably have to go some place shady to get it done, and that will be icky.

~~Katie

I just started sixth grade this year and a lot of the other girls shave their legs. I don't want to be the only one who doesn't, but my mom says that I can't do it till I get period. How can I convince her to let me? ~~Maggie

Advice from Melissa

Hi Maggie:

Sometimes, mom’s don’t want their daughters growing up too fast and shaving sometimes is perceived as a rite of passage to young adulthood. Not everyone is shaving their legs. First of all, unless you really are having thick, unsightly hair on your legs, there’s really no cosmetic reason to do so. In terms of your mom making you wait until you have you get your period, I’ll bet you that will be negotiable. Some girls start developing, and getting hairy legs well before their periods start. Maybe for now, let it go for a little while longer, and then try talking to your mom again. It’s important to remain calm, and not get emotional, and don’t yell or scream—maturity counts. However, you’ll need a better reason than “everyone else is doing it.” Trust me, that won’t work. Patience, my dear.

~~Melissa

Advice from Katie

Hi Maggie:

Since shaving your legs is pretty harmless, I support a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy here. Or, you could just tell her that not shaving your legs is making you self-conscious and if she doesn’t let you shave you’ll develop some horrible complex and she’ll have to spend thousands of dollars on shrinks before you graduate from high school. Or fake getting your period. Or just tell her why doing this is important to you besides the fact that everyone else is doing it. Hopefully, she’ll listen.

~~Katie

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Growing Up

• Teen Health and Beauty.