Greasy hair, oily skin, body odour, smelly feet… ah, the wonderful world of puberty. Suddenly, your sweet baby is stinking like a buffalo. These changes in skin and scents are entirely normal, says Toronto pediatrician Dr. Diane Sacks, who specializes in adolescent medicine. “Puberty includes the onset of more hormones and a change in the balance of old hormones.” These hormones produce the oils that are released through more active sweat glands. In most cases, the resulting smell is nothing that more frequent washing and deodorizing can’t control. Unfortunately, sometimes hygiene is not a high priority for your teen. And if parents get pushy about it, that can make it worse. “Teens are trying to find their own identity and trying to separate. They want it to be their idea,” says Brenda Henley, a family life educator and mom to two teenage boys, Scott and Mark, in Calgary.

So you can’t force them, nag them or scrub them yourself. Is there anything you can do to inspire your adolescent to keep himself presentable?

start teaching hygiene early

While there are no serious health implications from skipping showers, “there are social implications,” explains Dr. Sacks. “I make sure my children understand that hygiene is important in their lives,” says Jasmin Rauh-Munch of Pickering, Ont., who has taught her four kids, aged 8 to 20, to shower every day and wash every crack and crevice.

It may be that your teen doesn’t understand that once she starts menstruating, daily washing is crucial. Or if your son sweats and hasn’t started to use deodorants (which mask odour) or antiperspirants (which prevent wetness and mask odour), it might be time to let him pick one out on your next trip to the drugstore. Rauh-Munch suggests slipping a deodorant stick into his sports bag as a subtle hint. But bear in mind, “You can’t stand there after they’ve had gym and force them to put it on,” she says. Remember, also, to tell your teen that these products are not an alternative to regular bathing.

When it comes to their skin, teach teens to wash their faces twice a day (morning and bedtime). If pimples get out of hand, they can try a range of cleansers and lotions that are on the market designed for acne. Make an appointment with a dermatologist if these products aren’t helping.

keep your comments low-key

Tell your teen she can come to you if she has concerns about her skin or has questions about cosmetics. And if she hasn’t bathed in a few days, don’t make it into a massive deal. “You can say: I know it’s your body and your decision, but I’m a little uncomfortable because I think your body smells,” says Dr. Sacks. Sensitive issues should also be dealt with in private. “I wouldn’t address Scott’s hygiene in front of Mark — that would be inappropriate,” says Henley. “And you’re not going to discuss it after they’ve had a terrible day at school.” Some positive reinforcement also goes a long way. Let your teen know when she smells good or her hair looks silky from a fresh shampoo. Just don’t expect your comments to have as much sway as her peers’.

wait it out

Your kid won’t stay stinky forever. Whether triggered by peer pressure or a sudden romantic interest, at some point your teen will want to be clean and you won’t be able to get him out of the shower. Rauh-Munch says good hygiene has been very important to her 20-year-old son since he was 18. “I sometimes joke that he takes longer than my daughters to get himself ready when he’s going out!”

Lisa Bendall is a squeaky-clean freelance writer in Toronto.