Acne is the most common skin condition in Canada, affecting up to 5.6 million Canadians and approximately 80% of teenagers and young adults between the ages of 20 and 40. 52% of patients with facial acne also experience body acne, which refers to acne on the back, shoulders and/or chest.
It occurs when pores become clogged by dead skin cells resulting in accumulation of sebum, an oily substance produced by oil glands. Bacteria within pores, called Cut bacterium acnes (C. acnes), can contribute to pore blockage and inflammation – visible as redness, swelling and pus that may accompany acne spots.
While acne can be painful and leave physical scars, it affects more than just the skin. Studies show that people with acne can also experience anxiety, low self-esteem, and poor self-image.
Galderma, a global leader focused on meeting the world’s increasing skin health needs, announced today that Health Canada approved AKLIEF® trifarotene cream, 50 mcg/g (AKLIEF) for the topical treatment of acne of the face and/or trunk in patients 12 years of age and older. It is the first new retinoid molecule to receive Health Canada approval for the treatment of acne in more than 20 years. Also, AKLIEF is the first topical treatment specifically studied and proven to treat both facial (forehead, cheeks, nose and chin) and truncal (chest, shoulders and back) acne, offering healthcare professionals and Canadian acne patients another treatment option.
“This new approval marks an important milestone in effectively treating acne in Canada, especially truncal acne,” says Dr. Melinda Gooderham, a dermatologist and Medical Director at the SKiN Centre for Dermatology and the SKiN Research Centre in Peterborough, Ontario. “This next generation retinoid is exciting news for physicians and patients. The clinical evidence demonstrates that AKLIEF reduces inflammatory lesions on the face, back and chest while delivering low systemic levels. This ensures efficacy, safety and tolerability which makes AKLIEF particularly useful for the treatment of acne lesions that appear on large surfaces of the skin, like the back and chest of some acne patients.”
References