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When to Expect Oily Skin and Hair

Question

When do their oil glands begin to produce enough oil that oily skin and hair are an issue?

Dr. Greene's Answer

As with underarm odor and hair, oily skin and hair typically begins anytime after the 8th birthday in girls and the 9th in boys, though it is often not seen until much later. The age for this varies even more than other parts of growing up. Even though almost all teens will eventually develop at least a pimple or two, as many as 20% of kids will have dry skin and hair throughout puberty. The average age to develop acne is about 12 ½ in girls and almost 14 in boys – but this commonly varies by years in either direction.

Reviewed By:
Khanh-Van Le-Bucklin M.D. & Rebecca Hicks M.D.
May 13, 2008
Published on: January 26, 2002
About the Author

Alan Greene MD

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Dr. Greene is a practicing physician, author, national and international TEDx speaker, and global health advocate. He is a graduate of Princeton University and University of California San Francisco.
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