Tips for Communicating with your Partner About Sex

Communicating about your sexual needs is how to get them satisfied!

Communication is by far the most important ‘sexual enhancement’, because when you’re engaged in each other mentally it’s easier to connect sexually. There’s also the fact that your partner can’t read your mind, so helping them out by communicating your sexual needswill just make it that much more likely to get exactly what satisfies you!

There are a lot of reasons to keep the communication lines open when it comes to your sexual needs, however there is one aspect that is paramount. Recognizing that keeping your mind open to your partners needs builds intimacy & trust…two things that also result in hotter sex!

This article is about communicating your partner about your sexual needs as well as suggestions on how to be open to your partners desires. A list of tips for communicating duringsex will be coming up next!

Here are seven simple and easy tips to communicate effectively: 

1. Say what you mean and mean what you say.

2. Do what you say and say what you do.

3. Your thoughts and feelings, needs and wants, likes and dislikes are valid and legitimate. It is your job to own your internal experience. That means identify what is going on for you inside yourself, learn to language it and find the courage to express it. Ownership implies that you know and believe that you are okay with who you are, and how you experience and react to your inside and outside worlds. Other people do not have to understand or agree in order for your experiences to be valid, legitimate and respected. This is about you!

4. Other people's feelings are also legit. Just as your thoughts and feelings, needs and wants, likes and dislikes and internal experiences are valid and legitimate, so are those things of others. You may or may not understand. Please, respect their experience(s). Your response? Agree to disagree. Accept without agreeing. This is about them! This is not about you.

5. Pay attention to needs. When a need is unmet it becomes an issue. We have many opportunities to experience and express issues in our marriages. Common ways to respond, although unproductive and harmful, are to complain, blame and criticize. Next time you experience an issue try making a request. Identify what you need or want or what you want someone to do or say differently, then, make a request. Focus on what you want to happen, instead of what isn’t happening or what happened that you didn’t like.

6. Learn to tell your whole truth. Notice I didn’t say the truth. Your truth is your recognition of what you are experiencing inside yourself and outside of yourself at any given moment. If you are experiencing an upset or a disappointment, you may know or understand less about what you are experiencing than at other times. Find the courage to say as much as you can about what you think, feel, need and want. When you have more clarity or additional knowing be sure to share them with you partner.

7. Be a good listener. Listening is an essential and valuable skill. Becoming a good listener takes time and practice, and is enormously appreciated by others. When you are engaged in a meaningful conversation, say to your spouse, "Tell me more." This is a special invitation that conveys your interest, and intention to listen and really know them and understand the issue.

Tips for Communicating with Your Partner WRITE ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS AND CONCERNS.

Sure, you may not view writing about your feelings and concerns as communicating well, but it does help. When you are writing about your feelings and concerns, it will help you clarify the issues you are having by yourself. This is a good way to practice the way you are going to communicate with your partner.

WRITING A LETTER.

Remember back when you used to write love letters to your partner when things were just starting out? Sometimes, the best way to communicate with your partner about sex would be to write them a letter. Sure, this may sound old school, but sometimes, writing is better. Personally, I can communicate better writing letters with people. When you write the letter, you will also be looking at things from a different perspective.

PRACTICE TALKING.

If you are nervous about speaking with your partner, then practicing will help you. You can practice with a friend you can trust or you can sit in front of a mirror alone and talk.

GIVE YOUR PARTNER TIME.

When you are speaking with your partner about sex, give them time to process everything that you have said. Time will allow both you and the partner to respond correctly. This way, the both of you will not feel pressured or rushed. Take note that sexual communication is an ongoing process.

EYE CONTACT.

When you are communicating with your partner, it is important that you keep eye contact. This way, you will be able to connect with one another emotionally.

DON’T RAISE YOUR VOICE.

When you are communicating with each other, there is no need to raise your voice. If your partner does not see eye to eye with you, then do not get mad at him or her. Just tell them you wish they would think about what you are talking about. Tell them you will give it some time. Together, the both of you can come up with a way that you both agree on.

OPENING LINES.

If you are having a problem communicating with your partner about sex, then you can come up with an opening line that will ease those problems. When I say opening lines, I do not mean “I need to talk to you.” I mean, if you are having problems with premature ejaculation start off by something like “Do you enjoy your sex life?” After the opening line, see what your partner says and then take it from there.

 BE UNDERSTANDING.

There are chances that your partner is just like you and has a hard time communicating about sex. You need to be understanding. If they are quiet, then this is because they are embarrassed. Ask them if they are embarrassed, tell them not to be embarrassed that you just want things to be better.

BE COMFORTABLE.

When you are talking with your partner about anything, it is important that you are comfortable. As you are speaking with them, you should also have a clear mind and not be worrying about anything else.

Those are top tips on how to communicate with your partner about sex. Personally, I enjoy writing a letter (or an email) to my partner to get my problems out. I also enjoy talking with my husband through instant messenger. I find it easier to communicate this way, plus it is fun as it brings back memories of the old days. Do you have any problems communicating with your partner? How have you addressed these problems?

Get Health Boost in Bed...

You know sex feels good and does wonders for your mood, but did you know that it benefits your health (his too!) in a number of not-so-obvious ways? The reason, according to scientists, is that during lovemaking, our bodies produce a cascade of hormones (and other biological changes) that

can ease pain, lower cancer risk, boost immunity, and even offset menopausal symptoms. Taking care of your health has never been so much fun. 

It Reduces  ChRoNiC PaiN  

Next time you have a headache, justsay yes. Stimulation of your clitoris andvaginal walls triggers the release of endorphins, corticosteroids, and other natural painkillers. As a result, you’ll feel less pain from headaches and sore muscles during sex. The benefit, which begins before you orgasm, can linger for up to 2 days, says Barry Komisaruk, PhD, a Rutgers University psychology professor and coauthor of The Science of Orgasm. In his research,he found that women could withstand painful pressure to their fingers while they were stimulated with sex toys;during orgasm, pain tolerance doubled.And self-stimulation through the front wall of the vagina, where some find their G-spot, increases pain tolerance and pain detection thresholds by up to 50%, reports Komisaruk.

 It Lowers BReast CaNCeR Risk

 During arousal and orgasm, your levels of “happiness” hormones rise. Two of these—oxytocin and DHEA—may help keep breasts cancer free. One study showed that women who have sex more man once a month have a lower risk of developing breast cancer than those who are less sexually active. And Greek researchers found that men who had at least seven orgasms a month in their 50s had a significantly lower chance of developing male breast cancer.

It Gives YouR heaRt a WoRkout 

Cardiologists rank intercourse as a mild-to-moderate-intensity exercise that enhances heart health as well as brisk walking does. As with any workout, the more vigorous you are, the more your heart benefits. The positions you try matter too; being on top is especially cardiac-friendly because it usually requires more effort. Orgasm delivers a bonus: At your peak moment, yourheart rate may hit 110 beats per minute, comparable to what you might achieve when walking quickly or jogging.

It Protects his PRostate 

Catholic priests have an elevated chance of dying of prostate cancer, and studies point to celibacy as a factor. In 2003, research on middle-aged Australian men found that those who averaged at least four ejaculations a week had a one-third lower chance of developing prostate cancer than those who had fewer. “When you drain the pipes, as it were, you have less clogging,” says Irwin Goldstein, MD, head of sexual medicine at Alvarado Hospital. Though the results of the study were clear, the reasons they occurred were not, says Goldstein, who calls for more research. 

It Lowers stRess 

Got a big presentation coming up at work? A 2005 study found that men and women who had engaged in intercourse in the 2 weeks before a stressful day had an easier time while doing public speaking and some verbal arithmetic. During their presentations, their systolic blood pressure (the first number in a bloodpressure reading) increased less and then dropped back to its normal level at a faster rate than that of people who had no sexual relations or had other forms of sex, including noncoital interactions or masturbation. One theory about why this occurs is that intercourse requires more complex brain activity; another idea is that it stimulates a number of important nerves not triggered during other sexual activity

.it Revs Up YouR immuNe sYstem 

Research from Wilkes University showed that college students who engaged in sex once or twice a week had 30% higher levels of infectionfighting antibodies than did their abstinent classmates. In 2004, German scientists produced similar results: Blood tests showed that arousal and orgasm in men increased levels of certain pathogen-fighting white blood cells. The effect is comparable to that of other stress-busting activities, such as exercise and listening to music, which also boost secretion of certain proteins that defend the body against infection.

 It Defeats meNoPausal DRYNess 

Scientists in New Jersey found that postmenopausal women who had sexual relations more than 10 times a year had less evidence of vaginal atrophy than those who reported less frequent sex. That’s a sign of healthy tissues, says Sandra Leiblum, PhD, a New Jersey sex therapist who helped conduct the study. Arousal brings blood to the vagina, which delivers nutrients and oxygen. Keep using this part of your  body, and you’ll help prevent the tissue from becoming thinner and less elastic as you age, so intercourse can remain comfortable and pleasurable.

Tips to Remove Fine Lines and Wrinkles on Forehead

Fine lines and wrinkles on forehead are evidences of aging skin. The wrinkles and lines show up once they loses moisture and elasticity. It may be due to long exposure in the sun without proper skin care, the natural process of aging, stress or other factors. Fortunately there are things you can do to lighten and possibly remove the wrinkles on forehead and delay them from showing up. 

Get a smooth, wrinkle-free brow with these clever shortcuts from the experts.

1. Layer makeup

A light-reflecting primer such as Laura Geller Spackle Tinted Under Make-Up Primer ($25; laurageller.com) camouflages fine lines. Follow with sheer liquid foundation. Bonus: Primer keeps makeup from settling into—and emphasizing—furrows.

2. Cut side-swept bangs 

Soft, brow-skimming bangs are the easiest and most stylish veil for wrinkles, says hairstylist Rodney Cutler, owner of Cutler Salons. "Make a low side part right above your pupil," he says. "A center part only draws attention to the forehead by framing it."

3. Use plumping creams 

Moisturizers with peptides or retinol stimulate collagen to plump skin, says David Bank, MD, a derm in Mount Kisco, NY. Use peptide-packed Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Ultra Lift and Firm Moisture Cream SPF 30 ($68; elizabetharden.com) during the day and Neutrogena Anti-Wrinkle Deep Wrinkle Filler from Ageless Intensives ($19; shop.neutrogena.com) with retinol at night—its narrow tip traces directly over lines. 

4.Wear Frownies to bed 

"If you wake with creases from scrunching your face in your sleep, these patches are helpful," says Los Angeles-based derm Jessica Wu, MD. Frownies Forehead & Between Eyes ($20 for 144; frownies.com)—a cult favorite—are stiff adhesive "bandages" that hold skin in place to prevent furrowing.

5. Invest in the big guns 

Botox and Dysport are the only surefire forehead smoothers, says Dr. Bank. You'll need to get injections every 3 to 6 months to maintain the effects. Cost: about $400. To plump out especially deep lines, fillers such as Juvederm or Restylane (about $700 per syringe; results last up to a year) may be needed.

Home Remedies for Eliminating Forehead Wrinkles

Coconut and Olive Oil: 

These are the healthiest oils rich in essential fatty acids. They help to lighten and eliminate the wrinkles and also serve as moisturizers. For best results, always exfoliate and wash the face before rubbing the oil onto those lines. Be forewarned that if you have sensitive skin, you should not exfoliate the face daily. Once a week is good enough, but you should cleanse the face before massaging your face with the oil. 

Grape seed Oil:

 This is the other beneficial oil not only for fine lines and wrinkles on forehead but those on other part like wrinkles near eyes and around lips as well. In fact, you can think of sunflower seed oil as a multiple purpose oil as it can lighten age spots and dark spots as well. Further more, it can also be used to remove makeup and serves to moisturize the skin just the way like coconut and olive oil. 

Aloe Vera:

 This ugly looking succulent may not look attractive but it's loaded with benefits for fine lines and wrinkles. When uses on the forehead, it hydrates and repairs the skin. 

Ice Cubes: 

Surprisingly, this is one of the most overlooked home remedies for treating fine lines and wrinkles on forehead. By applying it onto the wrinkles, it improves blood circulation to deliver important nutrients and vitamins to the skin. This helps to repair and rejuvenate the skin to return you the lost glow and radiance.

Commercial Remedies for Eliminating Forehead Wrinkles

Moving on, let's look at commercially available remedies for eliminating forehead wrinkles.

In this group, the most affordable remedy has to be anti-wrinkles creams. 

Anti Wrinkles Cream for Deep Wrinkles: 

Once those lines become visible on the forehead, it means that you are working with deep wrinkles. Ordinary anti-wrinkles creams will not be effective for deep wrinkles. You need to do more. Other than using products with ingredients likeCynergy TK and hyaluronic acid, you need to be using only the best night cream to facilitate skin repair while you are sleeping .

Cynergy

 TK is a functional type of keratin. It promotes collagen and elastin production. On the other hand, hyaluronic acid absorbs and retains moisture in the skin. With regularly usage, facial cream with both ingredients will give you the smoother, softer, and younger skin you desire.

Botox Injections:

 By far, the most popular choice for those who want fast and instantaneous result. All it takes is a shot to reduce the fine lines and wrinkles on forehead. It also delays new lines from appearing too. Botox treatment is fast with no down time. If done by experienced and skilful specialist, it is highly effective. On the other hand, a poorly done job can paralyze the face muscles resulted in the "deadpan look". There is another problem with Botox - it is a temporary remedy. Every 3 to 6 months, you need to "renew" your youth with another injection. 

Microdermabrasion: 

Although costly, it is an effective treatment for wrinkles on forehead. Microdermabrasion takes years off you by abrading and exfoliating the dead skin cells. It also softens and flattens the wrinkles at the same time. Microdermabrasion is also effective for removing skin discoloration and age spots at the same time thus improving your overall appearance. However, if cost is a concern, don't forget to check out these affordable wrinkles prevention tips.

While these options can help to remove fine lines and wrinkles on forehead and other part of your face, you can further delay the lines from showing by forming good habits and healthy lifestyle. For examples, drink at least 8 glasses of water daily, put on sun protection cream before stepping out of the house, stop smoking and get 8 hours of sleep daily. By no means is this the comprehensive list but I'm sure you get an idea what other things helps to delay the fine lines and wrinkles on forehead or other part of your face from showing up.

Healthy Tips for Your Healthy Life...

Replace your disposable bags and plastic containers with eco-conscious lunch totes. These reusable resources reduce the risk of potentially harmful chemicals leaching into your food—and help save money and eliminate waste

Instead of VINYL lunch Boxes, Use...Tasty Lunch Tote:

This lightweight neoprene sack is a safe alternative to vinyl, which may contain lead, says the center for environmental health. The bag keeps food hot (or cold) for up to 4 hours.

Instead  of Plastic containers, Use... Lunch Bots Pico:

This rust-resistant container is made of stainless steel that contains no chemicals or toxins, including BPa

Instead of Plastic Bags, Use... Fresh Snack Pack:

Made of ethylene-vinyl acetate, a plastic deemed safe for food storage by the ePa and fDa, this reusable and washable pouch acts like a plastic bag but won’t end up in a landfill, where it could harm soil and water supplies.

4 Surprising Causes of Back Pain

Back pain affects up to85% , but age and overuse aren’t the only culprits: New research reveals that discomfort could stem from one of these stealth causes.

1 You don’t get enough vitamin D.

 “Patients with chronic back pain not due to injury or disease often have inadequate Levels of vitamin D,”says Stewart B. Leavitt PhD, a pain management specialist. The lower back seems particularly vulnerable to poor bone health related to low D levels.Talk with your doctor about taking a bigger dose; with 2,000 IU of D3per day, the pain either disappears or is reduced significantly, Leavitt says

.2 You’re not very“regular.” 

Blockage in the lower intestine can cause pressure in the lower back—and discomfort worsens if the condition persists. Drink more water,eat fiber-rich produce and grains, and exercise to prevent constipation.

3 You’re in a mental funk. 

Mood plays an Important role in how the body perceives pain, soa distressed emotional state can cause your back to hurt. Depression and stress can magnify relatively minor pain.

4 You have undiagnosed scoliosis.

A mild case might have been overlooked, or, as you age, a lack of calcium and weak back muscle scan cause the spine to become misaligned.Diagnosing adults can be tricky because doctor shave to differentiate pain caused by scoliosis from pain caused by disk problems or overuse injuries.Degenerative scoliosis is at least partly preventable if you adopt healthy habits(maintaining a healthy weight, doing exercises to build back strength, and not smoking) early on.

Eye Makeup And Tips to keep Your Eyes Healthy

Eye makeup can define how natural or dramatic your look is. Whether you want to learn a process you can use every day or look stunning for a special occasion, here's how to get it right.

Start with a clean slate.:

 Wash your whole face with a gentle cleanser before you begin, paying particular attention to any leftover mascara or eyeliner. If you're having trouble removing residual eye makeup, try using cold water or regular lotion on a cotton swab. If you have dry skin around your eyes or suffer from eczema, rub a little moisturizer underneath your eyes, as well as between the outer corners of your eyes and your temples. Don't put moisturizer on your eyelids - this will make them greasy, and the makeup you apply will run off.

Prep your eyes with concealer 

Concealer can be used to cover up under-eye circles or just the bluish discoloration just under your inner eye. To cover dark undereye circles, apply three dots of concealer under each eye. Start at the inner corner where skin tends to be darkest, then under the pupil and the third on the outer edge. Pat, never rub with your ring finger (this finger tends to have the softest pad) until it disappears.

Apply eye base to your lid Eye base is the secret to keeping your shadow in place for hours. Without properly priming your lid first, your eyeshadow will likely end up a greasy line in your crease.

Follow with eyeliner 

Dark eyeshadows work great as eyeliners. Wet a slanted brush, then dip in a dark eyeshadow. Line eyes as close to the upper lashes as possible from the inner corner to the outer corner. Follow with liner on bottom eyes, but only line from the middle of the eye out. Smudge the bottom line with a Q-tip or your finger. You don't want a prominent line. For a smokey eye, use a brush to pat in a dark eyeshadow along the upper lid and below the lid. You don't want a stark line, instead you want to blend it so it's "smudge-y."

Apply eyeshadow. 

You can use one color, or several. Here's a basic three-color plan.

• Apply a medium color on your eyelid. Your eyelid is the area running from your eyelashes to your crease (the slight dip between your eyelid and your brow bone). Pick a medium pink, light brown or any other middle-of-the-road hue for this area.
• Apply a light color on your brow bone. Most people have an area of their brow bone that sits beneath the eyebrows proper. Highlight this area and make more light bounce off of it by brushing on a pearly off-white, light gold or other delicate color that matches your eyelid color in tone.
• Apply a dark color on your crease. Use light, little strokes to deposit little bits of darker powder on the crease of your eye. Go from the outer corner of your crease and follow the arch about 2/3 of the way in toward the inner corner of the eye. Try a violet, brown or other dark color that matches up with the first two colors you used.

Brighten your eyes with a highlighter 

This step involves only the inside part of the eye. Putting a bit of your lightest eyeshadow in the inner corner of your eye will brighten it significantly (this is the makeup artist's secret and I use this trick all the time). I usually dab a finger into my lightest eyeshadow and then I press it into the inner corner of my eye where the upper lid meets the bottom lid. This totally makes eyes "pop."

Highlight your brow 

Take the same light eyeshadow and dab it on your browbone, concentrating on your mid-brow outward. Blend with your finger. I like to use Yves Saint Laurent's Touche Eclat just below my brow and just above it, but a super light shadow will do you.

Curl your lashes. 

Use an eyelash curler to grip your upper lashes. Hold the clamp for about five seconds. Accessing your lashes is easiest if you half-close your eyes. Remember, always curl before you apply mascara, never after.

Apply mascara. 

You can apply a little or a lot, and there are many different brands and formulas for volume, length and definition. Find a product you're happy with. Start at the base of your upper lashes and slowly sweep upward. For a more dramatic effect, apply mascara to the lower lashes as well. If you want to apply multiple coats, do it while the first coats of mascara are still wet - applying a new coat to dry mascara will result in clumps.

Follow these tips to keep your eyes healthy as well as beautiful:

• Throw away eye makeup after three months. Infection-causing bacteria grow easily in creamy or liquid eye makeup. If you develop an eye infection, immediately toss all of your eye makeup.
• Never share eye makeup, and when sampling makeup in stores use only fresh applicators and samples that have not been contaminated by multiple users. (The safest choice is to avoid store samples altogether.)
• If you tend to be allergic, introduce only one new eye makeup or care product at a time. If there is no reaction, add another new product, and so on. If you notice an allergic reaction, find out what the ingredients are and let your doctor know. Avoid products that contain untested or harmful chemicals.
• Before applying makeup, be sure your face and eyelids are very clean. Always apply makeup outside the lash line, away from the eye, to avoid blocking the oil glands of the upper or lower eyelid. These glands secrete oil that protects the eye’s surface. Never apply makeup while in a moving vehicle.
• Do not separate your mascara-clumped lashes with sharp items.
• If you tend to have dry eyes, avoid metallic/glitter, powder or other makeup that flakes. Flakes can get into the tear film and increase your eyes’ irritation. Glitter eye makeup is a common cause of corneal irritation or infection, especially in contact lens users.
• Remove all eye makeup at night before sleeping, especially mascara that can stick to the lashes. Brush a clean cotton swab along the base of the eyelashes to remove all makeup remnants. If you use eye makeup remover, avoid getting it in your eyes and thoroughly rinse remover off your eyelids.
• 
  
• If you have eye surgery, do not wear makeup around the eye until your ophthalmologist tells you it is safe to do so, and then use only fresh, new makeup.

How to Care for Children's Hair

Caring for your child’s hair can be confusing with so many products on the market. As a parent, you may wonder which products to use and whether to go for the latest fad products marketed for kids. Experimenting will help you to arrive at the best haircare routine for your child.

So how do you as a parent, avoid, annoying the stylist, upsetting your child and getting yourself stressed? Well this is where your best child psychology skills come into play! Sometimes your child will have unwarranted fears and you have to help to overcome them. Creating trust by taking their concerns seriously is the first and most important step. Promising a treat can also help.

Best of all is to check in your local area to see if there is one of the growing number of new specialized children’s salons available. Salon chains like Cartoon Cuts are designed to make the hair cut experience more positive and entertaining for small children: toys, video games, specially shaped chairs and specially-trained stylists, all help to ensue the experience is more like going to a theme park rather than a visit to the doctor.

Causes of Hair Loss in Children

* One of the most common causes of hair loss in children includes fungal infections like scalp ringworm.

* In today’s world children of all ages are also put under a lot of stress, especially when it comes to performing in school, which could be the leading cause of hair loss, not just in children, but also in adults.

* There are also certain medical conditions and diseases like typhoid, which can lead to temporary hair loss in children and adults.

* Children who are undergoing chemotherapy as a part of cancer treatment would also experience hair fall. The same reaction may be seen in children who are on certain strong medication.

* In several cases, problems of hair loss in children could be either due to an unhealthy diet or because of the excessive use of hair products that contain harsh chemicals.

* Hair loss problems in children could also be caused by genetic factors.

Instructions

1. Brush your child's hair before shampooing. This will not only make it easier to brush after the shampoo, but will also help prevent breakage caused by brushing wet hair.

2. Shampoo with a mild water-based, sulfate-free shampoo that is less likely to sting the eyes. According to parenting.com, toddlers should have their hair washed at least three times a week, and children that are preschool age and up should have their hair washed every other day.

3. Use a detangling spray. A detangling spray is lighter than conditioner and will allow the hair to be easily combed without being weighed down.

4. Use a wide-toothed comb to detangle hair once the spray has been applied. A wide-toothed comb will help prevent breakage.

5. Blow-dry hair on a cool setting. If the heat from the blow dryer is too hot, it can damage the hair and dry out the scalp. Due to the sensitivity of children's skin, it may also burn.

Whether your child's hair is long, straight and thin, or short, thick and curly or some other combination, it requires care and upkeep to stay healthy. A suitable hair care regime will vary depending on hair type and lifestyle, according to KidsHealth.org. Basic hair care for kids includes regular shampooing, daily grooming and frequent cuts. Learning proper hair care techniques in childhood can lay the groundwork for maintaining healthy hair throughout life.

Washing - wash hair using a mild shampoo that doesn't sting their eyes. When they are old enough, teach them how to shampoo and rinse their own hair. Use conditioner when your child is older and has longer hair. Avoid putting conditioner on the scalp.

Tangles - detangling is best done before you wash your child's hair. Use a wide tooth comb and start at the bottom of the hair, working your way up. Tangles can cause terrible battles between you and your child. To reduce the pain of combing tangled hair, hold taut the section of hair you are trying to comb. For problematic tangles, you can spray in a good detangler.

Combing/Brushing - encourage your child to comb/ brush their own hair. Don't believe the myth about brushing hair 100 strokes before bedtime - this over stimulates the sebaceous glands and leaves hair very greasy. Use a comb, not a brush on hair that is wet. It promotes shine and minimizes hair breakage.

Accessories - use good quality brushes, combs and accessories for your child's hair. Kids love having fun clips and hair ties. Avoid hairclips with sharp teeth, as these can hurt the scalp and cause hair damage. Keeping hair neatly tied back is a good way of avoiding hair tangling.

As your children get older, they will begin to have preferences about the hairstyles they like. This is a natural identity issue that stays with us into adulthood. By teaching your children good hair care techniques when they are young, you will be guiding them to a lifetime of healthy hair.

Shampoo savvy

Babies: Washing hair once or twice a week is usually enough. If your baby has cradle cap, which (despite the flakes) is an oily-skin condition, wash with a dandruff shampoo two or three times a week after massaging a little olive or baby oil onto his scalp to loosen the flakes, says Ari Brown, M.D., a pediatrician and coauthor of Baby 411.

Toddlers: Three times a week is fine (more often if he's got a penchant for mashing bananas on his head).

Preschoolers and up: As your child's hair gets longer, wash it every other day (less often for very curly, dry, or African-American hair; in these cases, you can use conditioner once a week, too).

At any age: Always shampoo at the end of the bath so your child's not sitting in the sudsy water, which could irritate sensitive skin.