Rosacea is a skin condition that mainly affects the face. Flushing, lasting color (red, violet, or brown), acne-like breakouts, or visible blood vessels are all signs and symptoms of rosacea. In more severe cases, some people develop irritation around their eyes or thickening skin. The exact causes of rosacea are unclear, but some researchers believe it is linked to your body’s inflammatory response. Inflammation is a key part of your body’s ability to fight off infection and heal injuries – this means that the immune system activates cells that lead to inflammation. It’s possible that when so ..read more

By David Fieleke, MD, FAAD Ensuring our children are protected from the sun’s harmful rays should be a top priority for every parent. With so many sunscreen options available, I know it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. Fear not! In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explore the best sunscreens for kids – ones that I’m happy to use both as a dad and a board-certified dermatologist and skin cancer surgeon. Importance of Sun Protection for Kids Before getting into specific sunscreen recommendations, it’s crucial to understand why sun protection is vital for children. Young, delicate skin ..read more

What to Expect from Your Dermatologist During Your Annual Skin Cancer Screening By David Fieleke, MD, FAAD The first thing that goes through many people's minds when they schedule a skin cancer screening is, "Do I have to take off all my clothing?" Your health and safety are our top priority, so we’ll need to inspect every inch of your skin to make sure we don’t miss a thing. Yes, you’ll need to don a gown, but we always do our best to ensure the most comfortable experience for you at Cornerstone Dermatology & Surgery Group. Knowledge is power, and it can inspire confidence. By outlining t ..read more

By Kate Parks, FNP-C When we think of bunnies, cute cuddly creatures hop into mind. But bunny lines on our faces … now that’s a different story.  Bunny lines are the wrinkles that appear on the bridge of the nose. They tend to begin as ‘dynamic’ wrinkles or those that appear with movement beginning in our 20’s or 30’s. They become more ‘static’ or permanently apparent with little-to-no movement as we age. Patients who spend a lot of time in the sun, smoke or are under sustained stress are more susceptible to developing bunny lines. Stress produces the hormone cortisol, which actively bre ..read more

Retinoids are a cornerstone of successful acne treatment, and when paired with sun protection, they’re also the foundation for effective anti-aging regimens. They provide excellent defense against fine lines and help to give the skin a healthy glow. Because of these broad-reaching effects, retinoids are a gold standard in skincare.  You can find retinol in a multitude of over-the-counter skin care products, and retinoids are commonly prescribed for both medical and aesthetic dermatology purposes. So how is retinol different from retinoids and which one should you use? In this article, we ..read more

With below-freezing temperatures and heaters running full-blast in our homes and cars, many of us are experiencing dry winter skin. On the surface, a change in the humidity can cosmetically make fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable. But dry skin is also a serious medical problem for many. In the winter, our skin can itch, flake, crack and even bleed, causing pain and discomfort as we go about the day. Dr. David Fieleke, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Cornerstone Dermatology & Surgery Group in Lee’s Summit, offers tips for preventing dry winter skin and recommends some of ..read more

By David Fieleke, MD, FAAD  As we move into warmer months, we increasingly reach for the sunscreen as we spend more time enjoying the outdoors. But while sunscreen is essential for protecting our skin from cancer-causing UVA and UVB rays, it shouldn’t be our only strategy.  Research estimates that non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), affects more than 3 million Americans a year. (1, 2). Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, but the good news is it’s highly preventable. (3, 4) To help ..read more

Out of all the skincare products and treatments available to me over the years living in a dermatology household, microneedling, or collagen induction therapy, has yielded the most transformative results for me. That’s why I’m thrilled that we’re now offering this minimally-invasive procedure at Cornerstone Dermatology & Surgery Group! Microneedling is an advanced form of dermal restructuring that uses tiny needles to create micro injuries in the skin. These micro injuries stimulate collagen production at the cellular level. This stimulates new cell growth during the wound-healing process ..read more

October is Eczema Awareness Month, and if you suffer from this condition, you may be noticing your symptoms beginning to flare thanks to the arrival of cooler, dryer weather.  In fall and winter months, extra pampering becomes even more important, especially with all the washing and sanitizing we’re doing these days, says board-certified dermatologist Ross Reule, MD.  “Eczema is often exacerbated by lack of humidity during the winter months. Cranking up the heater helps keep us cozy, but has the unfortunate side effect of drying out the air and our skin,” Reule says. “Finding the ri ..read more

By Ross Reule, MD One in five Americans will have skin cancer by the age of 70.  It’s widely known that excessive sun and ultraviolet radiation (UV) exposure is a major contributing factor to the development of skin cancer.   July is UV Safety Awareness Month and the perfect time to discuss how we can protect ourselves from harmful UV exposure. I’m not going to tell you to live in a dark basement for the rest of your lives.  I love biking, running, hiking, and playing sports with my two active boys.  We are outside ALL THE TIME.  For our famil ..read more