Our bodies are amazing and house many secrets! Are you curious to know some weird but normal body facts? If so, check out this article!
Body Hair
- Boob hair is a thing. Developing breast hair might seem alarming at first, but it’s totally normal and happens to most people with breasts.
- Nose hair protects us from getting sick. Nose hair prevents tiny particles in the air, like dust, pollen, and allergens from entering into our lungs and irritating the tissues. When our lungs aren’t irritated, they are better at protecting us from infection.
- Everybody has “peach fuzz.” Peach fuzz – that little bit of facial hair above your upper lip – is completely normal. It may be more noticeable on some people, but almost everyone has it.
- Eyebrow hair is more than just “on fleek.” Did you know that your eyebrows shield your eyes from sweat, oil, water, and tiny debris in the air? Also, the shape of our brows helps divert moisture (like sweat) from our eyes to the sides of our face.
Skin
- Like a snake that sheds, our skin renews itself every 28 days. New skin cells develop at the bottom of your epidermis – the outer most layer of our skin – and travel upward as they age. It takes about a month for each skin cell to reach the surface and shed off.
- Acne is normal during puberty. Changes in our bodies are normal during puberty, especially on the skin. Teenagers get acne on their face, neck, shoulders, upper back, or chest because of the hormone changes that come with puberty.
- Your skin is your largest organ. Skin accounts for about 12-16% of our body weight. In fact, adults carry around eight pounds of it.
The Penis
- Penises are longer than what meets the eye. Penises are actually 2x longer than they look. How is that possible? Around half of the entire length of the penis is housed inside the body.
- Penises come in different shapes and sizes. Like the people they hang from, penises are unique. There is no such thing as a “bad” size or shape. But it’s common for people to stress about penis size.
- There is very little difference between a circumcised penis and an uncircumcised penis. A circumcised penis does not have a foreskin (the layer of skin that covers the head of the penis). Besides appearance, there is not much difference between circumcised and uncircumcised penises. When a person with an uncircumcised penis gets an erection, the foreskin simply folds back, the head of the penis is exposed, and there is no noticeable difference during sex.
The Vagina
- Vaginas and vulvas come in all shapes and sizes. Not every vagina and vulva look the same! Every vulva (the outer parts you can see) and vagina (the internal tube) are unique and can vary significantly in length and shape.
- Vulvas come in different colors. Vulvas may vary in shade and the color. For example, labia (the “lips” around the vaginal opening) may range from pink to red to brown to purple – all of which are totally normal.
- The vulva and vagina will change throughout life. Like other body parts, the vulva and vagina are affected by changes that come with age and different life stages. For example, as we get older, the amount of lubrication we experience may change.
- The vagina cleans itself. Vaginas are like self-cleaning ovens. Because the vagina keeps itself clean all on its own, harsh soaps should not be used. How this works: vaginas are lined by a variety of glands that produce the fluids needed to both lubricate and cleanse the vaginal area.
The bottom line. Bodies are weird and wonderful. Like the stars in the night sky, we all come if different shapes and sizes. Our differences all make us all unique, and that’s pretty beautiful!
To learn more about your body, check out these resources:
- Girls Reproductive Anatomy
- Guys Reproductive Anatomy
- Puberty – Common questions from girls
- Puberty – Common questions from guys
Author: Stephanie Paz is a Tigua Indian of Ysleta del Sur Pueblo. She has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from The University of Texas at El Paso and is working towards a Master of Public Health in Health Behavior and Health Promotion from New Mexico State University.
