Includes bibliographical references (p. [250]-263) and index.
Contents:
Skin -- Boobs -- Down there -- Hair, mouth, nails -- Shape. [pt. 1]. Safe tattooing My face is a zit factory -- Types of pimples -- How to : give yourself a facial -- I have acne on my butt and back -- Other types of body bumps -- Cold sore, herpes, or both? -- I sweat more than other girls do -- I bathe every day but I still smell -- I'm addicted to tanning -- FYI : detecting skin cancer -- How to : get the perfect fake bake -- My skin is full of stretch marks -- I confess: I've bought scams from quacks -- Some parts of my body have darker skin than others -- FYI : birthmarks -- My skin is rough and dry -- My thighs look like cottage cheese -- How to : make your own skin care products -- My piercing isn't healing well -- FYI : Keloids -- How to : find the perfect piercer -- Safe tattooing [pt. 2]. Boobs -- I feel lumps and/or hard stuff in my breast 99 nicknames for boobs -- My breasts are too heavy and cause me pain -- How to : strengthen your back -- One of my boobs is bigger than the other -- FYI : a brief bra history ... and the history of nipple piercing -- My breasts are too far apart and I don't have and cleavage -- FYI : third nipples -- My breasts aren't perky enough and/or don't bounce -- FYI : what a difference a bra makes! -- Cultural chest pains -- My nipples are always hard -- Find a bra that fits -- My nipples are always flat and never point out -- How to : do the Hoffman (evert your nipples) -- How to : measure yourself for a bra -- My breasts often itch and/or are sore -- How to : cool the itch -- Booby emoticons -- I have many little bumps around my nipple -- I have discharge coming from my nipples -- I feel lumps and/or hard stuff in my breast [pt. 3]. How to : pick the right panties I hate the way I look down there -- FYI : labiaplasty -- How to : explore your body -- Photographing vulvas isn't easy! -- Nicknames for vulvas -- I confess : I had a bump down there -- It's bumpy and lumpy down there -- My vagina smells -- I confess : I had BV while writing this book -- My vagina secretes stuff -- FYI : don't douche! -- STIs -- How to : get reliable and anonymous supplies, testing, and advice -- 21 nicknames for your period -- My period is way too heavy or too long -- FYI : toxic shock syndrome -- How to : avoid (and get rid of) period stains -- I get really bad cramps -- The pill -- FYI : giving bloat the boot -- Taking PMS seriously -- I'm a virgin, but I missed my period -- What if I'm not a virgin? -- More on contraception -- How to properly use a male condom -- It hurts to pee and it feels as if I have to all the time -- I go poo too much or not enough -- Common poo problems -- When it hurts to go poo -- Booty emoticons -- I get skid marks in my underwear -- FYI : poo deodorizers -- How to : pick the right panties [pt. 4]. Smoking kills It's a forest down there -- FYI : pube-dos -- My legs feel like chicken skin after I shave -- How to : shave properly -- There are moving dots in my scalp or pubic hair -- I have a mustache -- How to : properly tweeze your brows -- Hair removal methods -- I confess : I had a terrible waxing experience -- How to : choose the proper place for nail services and hair removal -- I fried my hair -- How to : deep condition your hair -- When I scratch my head, white flakes fall on my clothes -- Hair lost & found -- I chew or pull on my hair or nails all the time -- FYI : nail color and health -- I have yucky stuff underneath my nails -- My teeth aren't white -- FYI : braces -- My breath is harsh! -- Smoking kills [pt. 5]. All about doctors. I feel fat -- Body mass index -- What is body image? -- No, seriously, I am overweight -- I confess : people can be mean -- I want to get fit and eat right, but it's expensive! -- FYI : portion control -- How to : read a food nutrition label -- I eat the same as my friends, but I'm the only one who gains weight -- The proper way to crunch -- I'll never be thin enough -- FYI : dieting can make you gain weight -- I'm depressed -- I confess : I went to therapy -- I'm harming my body -- When someone else harms your body -- A word about professional help -- I'm obsessed with my looks -- FYI : body dysmorphic disorder -- I confess : I had to scale back -- I need cosmetic surgery bad -- FYI : nip and tuck nightmares -- The truth about photos -- The truth about beauty -- All about doctors.
Summary:
From fashion magazines to taboo Web sites, curious young women have access to tons of old wives' tales about and thousands of airbrushed and inaccurate images of the female body--misinformation and harmful portrayals that can lead to low self-esteem, self-destructive acts, or even disturbing plastic surgery procedures. Teaming up with a leading physician specializing in adolescent health issues, Harvard graduate and former Miss Virginia Nancy Redd now offers a down-to-earth, healing, and reassuring response to those damaging myths. Here, Redd gives girls insight into the issues they're often too ashamed to raise with a doctor or parent. She also reveals her own experiences with the culture of "American beauty," and shows readers all the many versions of "normal."--From publisher description. In a question-and-answer format, educates teenage girls about skin, breasts, the genital area, hair, nails, shape, and weight, discussing what is normal, how to deal with problems relating to each, and why everyone is a little bit different.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.