(Reuters) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first dermal filler to treat scarring caused by acne, the most common skin disorder in the United States afflicting 40-50 million people.
Bellafill, developed by privately held Suneva Medical Inc, has been developed to treat moderate to severe acne scars on the cheeks of patients over the age of 21.
A cure for acne has long eluded drug developers. And from topical gels to lasers, nothing so far has satisfactorily treated scarring that affects up to 95% of acne sufferers.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared a laser treatment for acne scarring in July, but adoption for this kind of therapy is limited by its high cost, associated pain, and the need for repeat treatments.