expert advice: from dr. neal schultz, dermtv.com

Attention all moms of toddlers: You may be wondering why your knees have been feeling a bit dry and scaly lately. Maybe because you're always kneeling to clean dirty faces, feed hungry mouths or pick up and put away loose toys? In fact, there's a good chance your two- or three-year old has been keeping you on your knees pretty often. I asked Dr, Neal Schultz, cosmetic dermatologist and host of dermtv.com for some expert advice...

“Dry rough patches on the knees is really not dry skin at all," he says, "but rather thickened skin which has so many layers of dead cells that it appears scaly or flaky. From the presence of scales or flakes, we are misled to believe that it's dry skin but scales/flakes are the result of many different problems or conditions…in this case from thickening of the skin."

He explains that "dry” rough patches on the knees occurs because of one of two reasons: Either an inherited, genetic basis (it tends to run in families) or from rubbing the skin of the knees either by kneeling on your knees or anything else that causes repeated pressure or rubbing of the knees.

Since it really represents extra thickened dead skin, moisturizers won’t work, and most over the counter callous creams just aren't strong enough exfoliants to dissolve that extra thick dead layer of cells. Louffa is a fairly gentle form of physical exfoliation and probably not powerful enough to help this although if used in combination with stronger chemical exfoliants may be helpful. "For this I recommend chemical exfoliants and, in particular, potent glycolic products as they are strong enough to do the job and yet not cause irritation of the surrounding skin if used properly and as directed," says Schultz. "The cream that I recommend for my patients is Stallex Glycolic Therapy 20 cream for feet which is a 20% glycolic product used for excessive thickening of dead skin on feet, knees, elbows and knuckles. Because it’s pretty strong it must be used in a very small amount very lightly twice daily, avoiding the surrounding skin. After applying it, any cream on the fingers should be rinsed off. Allow approximately two to four weeks to see improvement. If the problem is on the basis of a hereditary tendency then the cream needs to be used on an on-going basis. If the thickening of the skin on the knees is from excessive rubbing (like callous formation) then if the rubbing that causes the thickening is stopped, then treatment with the cream is no longer necessary. For less resistant cases I recommend Stallex Glycolic Therapy 15 gel, used the same way. Other less potent treatments include any over-the-counter 5% to 12% glycolic products again used twice daily but usually that strength is not as effective at removing the type of thickened skin that appears on the knees."

For more expert advice and answers to your most pressing dermatology questions, visit www.dermtv.com.

a round of applause!

Spongeables® deserves a hand! The company has come up with a way to make hand-washing fun. Instead of ordinary soap, APPLAUSE Hand Buffers™ ($6.49) provide an all-in-one beauty/rejuvenation treatment for hands and nails. The soft sponge is infused with Shea Butter for moisturizing and Vitamins A and E for antioxidant and antiaging protection. A SalSphere™ Seaweed delivery system boosts moisture retention, and releases moisture slowly for long-term hydration. Even the Applause texture works to make hands look better. One side is soft and silky, the other has a scruffy texture that helps boost circulation for healthier skin and cuticles and stronger nails (plus, it feels like a light massage every time you use it!). My kids love the Spongeables Ducky ($4.99--shown here), a duck-shaped sponge that soaps up as you use it, lightly moisturizes and boasts a fruitilicious scent. Fortunately, they come in yellow and pink, my son's and daughter's favorite colors respectively--so there's no arguing at bathtime! Look for Spongeables Oodles of Suds at major drug chains or at www.spongeables.com.

sunscreen: don't leave home without it

With July 4th behind us, we find ourselves in the heat of summer. The only accessory we need? A great sunscreen. Cetaphil--a name we've trusted on our kids for years--recently debuted its new UVA/UVB Defense sunscreen with SPF 50 ($13.99)--the highest SPF available for a moisturizer designed specifically for the face. Awarded the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation as an effective UV facial sunscreen (thanks to micronized Titanium Dioxide) and as an effective aid in the prevention of sun-induced damage to the skin including sunburn and possibly, premature aging, it's great for you and your kids. Plus, it nourishes and hydrates skin for up to eight hours. The best part: The palm-sized tube fits neatly into your diaper bag or beach bag. Stock up at CVS.com, Drugstore.com and Walgreens.com.

the great escape

Summer is the perfect time to get away...and family travel is affordable and easy to arrange this summer, thanks to new and exciting deals from Trafalgar Tours. Whether you want to show your kids the castles of the British Isles or the great plains of the Old West, Trafalgar's specially designed Family Tours cater to your every need. With Trafalgar, you can save you up to 40% off the cost of putting together a similar vacation on your own. And kids 14 years old or younger who share triple or quad accommodations with two adults save up to an additional 40% off the adult fare (special savings are also available for children 15 to 17). Choose from these great packages...

European Adventures. Your clients will see it all - from the White Cliffs of Dover to the Toy Museum in Prague, the Glockenspiel in Munich, and the Eiffel Tower in Paris. This is a 15-day journey for everyone and includes a sweep of England, Belgium, Holland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and France - nine countries filled with history and culture -- from $2,250 per person.

Castles, Highlands & Heritage. The vast beauty of Great Britain is revealed on a 15-day tour through England, Wales, and Scotland, with fascinating sites including Stonehenge, Shakespeare's home, a journey to Loch Ness, and a visit to St. Andrews. Rates start at $2,050 per person.

Gladiators, Gondolas & Mountains. Families can travel, dine and explore their days away within the breathtaking beauty of Italy, France, Monaco, and Switzerland on this 13-day tour that visits Rome, Florence, the Tuscan Hills, Nice, Geneva, Zermatt, Italian Lakes, and Venice. Rates begin at $2,175 per person.

If you want to stay closer to home, check out these amazing itineraries right here in the US...

Adventures in the Wild Northwest. Vacationing families will wander the great North Woods enshrouded in canopies of centuries old giant redwood trees. They will ride dune buggies in the sand, race jet boats on the Rogue River, zoom to the top of the Space Needle and more in a wild 9-day journey of the Northwest that runs from San Francisco to Seattle. Rates start from $1,935 per person.

Pioneer Adventures of the Old West. This sojourn in the vast high desert includes all the great American memories that kids will hold dear for the rest of their lives. They will see Montezuma's Castle, take a ride on the Grand Canyon Railway, swim in Lake Powell and see the Old West in style on an 8-day escapade from Phoenix to Las Vegas via Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon national parks. Rates begin at $1,550 per person.

Wild West, Cowboys and Buffaloes. What child would say no to a chance to explore Cowboy Country - where the Wild West began. Children of all ages will have a rip-roarin' good time on this 8-day adventure through the true cowboy towns of Jackson, Cody, Sheridan and Keystone. Even the most reticent of travelers will want to ride a genuine 1880 steam train in Yellowstone and gaze up to the famous faces at Mt. Rushmore. Rates begin at $1,550 per person.

All rates are per person, double occupancy and do not include airfare. They include top quality hotel accommodations, luxury transportation by motor coach, rail or cruise ship, outstanding cuisine, daily sightseeing and optional excursions with expert local guides, and personal concierge services. For more info, see your travel agent, call 866.544.4434, or go to www.trafalgartours.com.

baby on board

Summer means getting away from it all and we all know how important it is to travel light when there's a baby involved. Now you can do so and still bring the products you need and love--thanks to the Weleda Baby Starter Kit ($12). It's composed of five essential Weleda products designed to calm, soothe and protect in an easy-to-carry, reusable bag that meets TSA size requirements. Formulated with Biodynamic® calendula, the Weleda Baby Calendula Care collection softly cares for a baby’s ultra-sensitive skin. Plus, it smells baby fresh! The Calendula Baby Cream gives skin a protective layer from dry indoor air or the ravages of the great outdoors. Calendula Oil, formulated with organic chamomile, is ideal for after a bath or to pamper your baby with a soothing massage. Calendula Lotion with sweet almond oil, organic sesame oil and calendula moisturizes and soothes delicate skin. Calendula Shampoo & Body Wash, with plant-derived, sugar-based cleansing and foaming agents, is gentle on eyes and skin. And--my favorite--Calendula Diaper Care, complete with a medicinal blend of zinc oxide and other calming ingredients, offers quick relief from diaper rash and minor skin irritations. Plus, it eliminates unwanted odors and leaves your little one smelling sweet. Get your kit at www.usa.weleda.com.

in the swim: post-baby body

We're not all built like Heidi Klum. If you've had a baby, your body probably isn't what it used to be. So chances are the first summer or two after your baby is born, you're going to feel a bit self-conscious about what kind of swimsuit you choose and which of your body parts are being flaunted. Fortunately, swimwear guru Lisa Curran, who grew up in the beach town of Cape May, New Jersey and has been making women look and feel amazing for more than 10 years, you've got options. Her latest styles boast incredibly flattering fits that will make you feel confident and sexy when lounging beach or poolside. Some of her biggest spring trends include ruffles, stripes, white, prints and the reinvented one-piece, like the shapely silhouette shown here. It covers tummy bulges, isn't cut too high on the leg and features a subtle ruffle along the neckline to draw attention to the upper body and away from more probable problem areas. Even her sexy two-pieces have strategically placed shirring and/or side ties to divert the eye. Penelope Cruz, Gwenyth Paltrow, Evangeline Lilly and Teri Hatcher are among her clients. You can be too. Go to www.lisacurranswim.com to place your order.

father's day: travel light

For guys who are always on the go, this compact travel kit will save time otherwise spent on refilling travel bottles or searching for products in their miniature form. The rich shave cream features a blend of absinthe extract, jojoba oil, vitamin E, active aloe, and pro-vitamin B5 to help the razor glide over skin and ensure a close shave. It also soothes skin and protects it from irritation. The light-textured aftershave balm features marigold and ginseng to soothe and comfort skin after shaving. The toning and hair strengthening shampoo, with magnesium and wheat protein, the juniper and rum shower gel, and the ruscus and chestnut eye cream make up all the necessities of a daily skin care routine. Metrosexual or not, it's a gift he won't be able to do without. Available at www.sephora.com and Korres Natural Products stores in New York City.