GL's Top 10: Most personal body questions answeres - GL Body Q and A

Girls' Life, April, 2002

I HAVE A FEW SMALL HAIRS ON MY BREASTS. SHOULD I SHAVE THEM OFF?

Don't shave them off--you'll wind up with nipple stubble! As your body develops, 2 hair grows ail over--legs, underarms, stomach, pubic area and even breasts. Just pluck those suckers with tweezers.

I'M SO SCARED TO USE A TAMPON. DOES IT HURT TO PUT IT IN? WHAT IF IT GETS LOST OR STUCK INSIDE ME?

There are real benefits to tampons, so don't write them off lust yet. For one, you can say goodbye to messy bulky pads, and chill at the pool with no worries. First, read the instructions that come in the tampon box. When you're ready to insert the tampon into your vagina, it might be easier to sit down rather than stand up. Be patient and try to relax. Getting tense and nervous won't make the process any easier (your muscles will contract). If you want, use a hand mirror so you can see what you're doing. You can even use a bit of lubricating jelly, like Aquagel, on the tip of the tampon. It's not supposed to hurt so, if it does, you probably inserted it incorrectly. Be patient, and keep trying. Once you've put it in right, you won't feel a thing. As for the tampon getting lost or stuck, that's very rare. "It'il come out when you tug the string," says Dr. Hillard. "A little discomfort is possible when you remove it, because the tampon can dry the sides of the vagina since it absorbs fluid." And because the va gina muscles contract, you need to be relaxed to remove it. Start with a slim tampon until you're comfortable using them.

WHAT ARE THOSE HUGE PAINFUL PIMPLES I GET NEXT TO MY BIKINI LINE, AND WHAT SHOULD I DO?

They might look like pimples, but don't try to pop them! They're actually ingrown hairs. Shaving and even the elastic of your underwear rubbing against your bikini line can cause bumps. Dermatologist Dr Nancy Silverberg of Newport Beach, Calif., recommends using an anti-bacterial soap to wash the bikini area before shaving. Also, keep your shaving ritual to once a week, and don't rub body lotion on that area after shaving. If the bumps become inflamed, try an over-the-counter treatment cream, like Surgi-Bikini Relief by Ardell, to relieve redness and irritation. You might also want to try sporting looser underwear

I HAVE WARTS ALL OVER MY HANDS AND I'M REALLY EMBARRASSED HOW CAN I GET THEM TO GO AWAY?

First, make sure they're actually warts. "They should be either very fiat and pink or large and caulifiower-like in appearance," says Dr Nanni, who recommends an over-the-counter med that contains salicylic acid as the first fine of defense. He suggests using adhesive patches on larger warts and Compound W ilquid medicine on smaller ones. "Put the medication on the wart at bedtime, after you shower, for two to three weeks," says Dr Nanni. "The medicine penetrates moist skin better" Hope fully the warts will turn white and flake oft Once that happens, use a pumice to remove dead skin on larger warts. And don't worry if you see redness or inflammation--you want the pumice to stimulate the immune system, which kills the virus. And if the warts don't disappear, see your dermatologist for more dramatic measures--freezing, acids or laser treatment. c