Galderma Canada Nemluvio Advisory Board
Sanofi Regeneron Advisory Board
Searchlight Pharma Inc. Advisory Board
UCB Canada Inc. Advisory Board
Lunch
Welcome and Introduction
Dr. Charles Lynde
A holistic approach to acne and acne sequelae: Combining retinoids, skin care regimens and cosmetic corrective procedures
Learning Objectives:
- Examine the molecular mechanisms by which topical retinoids influence key pathways in acne pathophysiology and how they impact treatment options.
- Evaluate the clinical use of topical retinoids in the management of acne and acne sequelae, with an emphasis on treatment selection, optimization, and integration across different stages of disease.
- Explore emerging and holistic approaches to acne and acne sequelae management, including the incorporation of skin routines and cosmetic corrective procedures as part of a comprehensive, patient centered treatment strategy.
Dr. Sonya Abdulla
Dr. Andrew Ferrier
A New Rx Option for Patients with Acne
Learning Objectives:
- Introduce the new combination of Tretinoin and BPO cream for the treatment of Acne
- Present the Twyneo clinical data and real world- experience
- Present the Twyneo microencapsulation technology
Dr. Jaggi Rao
Dr. Hilary E. Baldwin
Why Aren't Dermatologists Winning the War on Sun Protection?
This talk challenges dermatologists to confront an uncomfortable reality: despite decades of advocacy, we are not winning the war on sun protection. Drawing on novel melanoma mapping data, we reveal how geography and environment continue to shape risk in ways our messaging fails to address. We integrate emerging evidence from adolescents documenting rising intentional sun exposure, alongside the “sunscreen paradox,” where protection may paradoxically enable riskier behavior.
Moving beyond epidemiology, we explore the evolutionary and neurobehavioral drivers of UV-seeking (i.e., its links to reward pathways and even modulating romantic passion in youth) helping explain why sun exposure remains so persistent. Finally, qualitative data detail real-world barriers and facilitators to protection, exposing a critical gap between what is recommended and what patients actually do highlighting the need for a fundamentally new, targeted, behaviorally informed prevention strategy.
Learning Objectives:
- Interpret emerging epidemiologic trends in melanoma incidence and sun exposure behaviors, including demographic disparities by age, gender, socioeconomic status, and geography.
- Critically evaluate the “sunscreen paradox” and other behavioral patterns that may undermine current sun protection strategies despite increased public awareness.
- Identify gaps in current dermatologic prevention approaches and propose data-driven, population-level interventions to improve sun protection adherence and reduce melanoma burden.
Dr. Diana Diao
Dr. Ivan Litvinov
AI vs MD: Psoriasis Showdown: Clinical Decision Making in Scalp and Nail Disease
Managing psoriasis in anatomically challenging areas such as the scalp and nails requires nuanced clinical judgement and individualized treatment strategies. This interactive session will explore real-world decision-making in psoriasis management through case-based scenarios reflecting common clinical challenges.
This interactive session will incorporate an engaging “AI vs MD” format, where participants will be presented with paired responses to practical, case-based psoriasis questions and invited to determine which reflects expert clinical reasoning. As distinctions between AI-generated and clinician-authored responses become increasingly nuanced, this format provides a dynamic way to explore variability in clinical approaches while reinforcing key considerations in the management of scalp and nail psoriasis. Faculty-led discussion will focus on treatment selection, adherence, and real-world clinical decision-making.
Learning Objectives:
- Apply evidence-based treatment strategies for the management of scalp and nail psoriasis across a range of clinical scenarios.
- Differentiate practical therapeutic considerations such as dosing frequency, formulation selection, device usability, and storage requirements that impact adherence and real-world outcomes.
- Integrate patient-specific factors and disease characteristics into treatment decision-making for complex psoriasis presentations.
Dr. Lyne Giroux
Dr. Kirsten Walker
Dr. Patrick Fleming
Dr. Parbeer (Perry) Grewal
Hair We Are: A Candid Conversation on Alopecia Areata
This interactive symposium explores the evolving science and management of alopecia areata through an in depth conversation between Dr. Hermenio Lima and Dr. Irina Turchin. They will discuss the immunopathogenic mechanisms driving the disease, with a focus on cytokine signaling and the JAK STAT pathway and examine the current clinical evidence supporting the use of JAK inhibitors. The session will also address practical considerations for selecting and monitoring JAKi therapy in clinical practice, helping clinicians optimize treatment decisions for diverse patient needs.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the immunopathogenic mechanisms underlying alopecia areata, including the role of cytokine signaling and the JAK-STAT pathway in hair-follicle immune dysregulation
- Evaluate clinical evidence and therapeutic strategies involving JAK inhibitors for the treatment of alopecia areata
- Discuss selecting JAKi treatment based on risks, benefits and monitoring patients in clinical practice
Dr. Hermênio Lima
Dr. Irina Turchin
Coffee Break
Optimizing Melanoma Care: Dermatologists’ Role in Risk Identification, Referral, and Ongoing Management
Learning Objectives:
- Apply key clinical and pathologic features to risk-stratify melanoma patients and guide timely staging and risk stratification
- Summarize indications, benefits, and safety considerations of immunotherapy across melanoma stages
- Promote active dermatology involvement in diagnosis, management, evaluation of clinical response and cutaneous toxicity
Dr. Joël Claveau
Dr. Maxwell Sauder
Acne Broadcasting Center News: Breaking down multi-modal acne management
Behind every prescription is a personal story that often goes untold in the exam room. In this session, we're stepping out of the clinic and onto the streets to capture the unfiltered reality of the patient experience.
Join our anchors, Dr. Jennifer Lipson and Dr. Bez Toosi, in the studio as we go live to the field for an investigative look at the real-world experiences of patients with acne. Back in the studio, our anchors will break down these field reports, providing real-time, individualized, multi-modal management strategies, while connecting these stories to clinical data to explore how therapies can tackle underlying acne pathophysiology. Don't miss this exclusive broadcast connecting on-the-ground patient experiences and cutting-edge acne care. Tune in and get ready to make headlines in patient outcomes!
Learning Objectives:
- Interpret how acne therapies target underlying pathophysiology and the implications for acne management in clinical practice
- Apply an individualized, multi-modal approach to acne management across varying patient presentations
Dr. Jennifer Lipson
Dr. Bez Toosi
Cleanse, Moisturize, Protect: Building a Practical Foundation for Everyday Dermatology
This session provides an overview of the core steps of daily skin care – cleansing, moisturizing, and photoprotection – and their role in supporting overall skin barrier function and skin health. Faculty will review recognized ingredients and technologies, introduce upcoming product innovations in the category, and share practical insights to help clinicians guide patients in selecting and integrating appropriate routines based on individual needs and clinical assessment.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand how cleansing, moisturizing, and protection support skin barrier integrity
- Identify key ingredients and technologies that reinforce these foundational steps
- Apply practical and evidence-based recommendations for patient care
Dr. Renita Ahluwalia
Dr. Zaki Taher
PURE: 10 Years of Impact
This session outlines the 10 year journey and closure of the PURE registry with acknowledgement of Canada's dominant contribution to its success (patients and investigators). We will highlight scientific contributions beyond the obvious safety and efficacy data of secukinumab. Having given rise to 43 publications, there is strong evidence supporting the real world clinical understanding of psoriasis management in Canada, longitudinal screening practices, and therapeutic implications during disruption (COVID). Via specific examples, we will illustrate how a high quality real world registry can complement clinical trials, inform clinical decision making, and strengthen the dermatology research community.
Learning Objectives:
- Gain key clinical and practice-relevant insights generated by the PURE registry
- Appreciate how high quality registry design and governance can provide benefits beyond data collection
- Recognize the broader impact of the PURE registry, (publications, engagement, research capacity, etc.)
Dr. Jennifer Beecker
Dr. Charles Lynde
Welcome Reception
Breakfast
Beyond the Visible Flames: The Fire Beneath the Canopy in Psoriasis
Psoriasis can be viewed as a “fire beneath the canopy,” where visible skin lesions represent only the surface flames, while deeper, systemic inflammation continues to smolder and drive disease progression. This session will use this framework to emphasize the importance of achieving deep and sustained disease control, targeting key inflammatory cytokines such as IL-17A and IL-17F to fully extinguish underlying disease activity. Clinical data on bimekizumab will be explored, highlighting its dual mechanism of action, high rates of complete skin clearance, and durable efficacy over time. Extending beyond the skin, the session will examine how effective suppression of these “hidden embers” may reduce the risk of psoriatic arthritis progression and support improved long-term outcomes, positioning early, comprehensive intervention as a strategy for true disease containment.
Learning objectives:
- Understand the importance of complete inflammation control and achieving better patient outcomes in psoriasis.
- Discuss the concept of dual inhibition of IL-17A and IL-17F as a strategy to target key inflammatory drivers.
- Explore the role of complete inflammation control in reducing the risk of psoriatic arthritis progression and improving long-term outcomes, supported by emerging clinical trial evidence.
Dr. Parbeer (Perry) Grewal
Dr. Vimal Prajapati
Unlock the Vault: Rediscover Photodynamic Therapy for Actinic Keratosis
Step inside the vault to crack the code on actinic keratosis (AK). Guided by Dr. Jaggi Rao and Dr. Lyne Giroux, attendees will use their "security clearance" to access files and uncover key secrets about AK management with photodynamic therapy (PDT). As the heavy doors swing open, you'll be exposed to the high-stakes reality of AK progression and the "red flags" that demand immediate intervention. The archived blueprints you uncover will provide a strategic map of the Canadian landscape, highlighting where PDT fits as a high-value asset in your therapeutic arsenal. Finally, we'll declassify the clinical evidence and real-world data needed to secure your clinical decisions and optimize patient outcomes. It's time to re-open the vault and rediscover the power of photodynamic therapy for AK management.
Learning Objectives:
After attending this program, attendees will be able to:
- Characterize the clinical spectrum of actinic keratosis (AK) and drivers of progression to justify early intervention
- Navigate the Canadian AK treatment landscape and evaluate key factors guiding individualized treatment selection
- Evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety evidence supporting photodynamic therapy to inform clinical decisions and practice
Dr. Lyne Giroux
Dr. Jaggi Rao
Beyond the Micro-Needle: Optimizing Clinical Outcomes with Integrated Skincare Protocols
While mechanical micro-injury is a cornerstone of collagen induction therapy, the ultimate clinical success relies on the biological management of the recovery phase. This panel discussion explores the clinical synergy between mechanical micro-injury and pH-optimized Vitamin C, E, and Ferulic acid serum. We will analyze how neutralizing the immediate post-procedure oxidative response facilitates a more efficient healing cascade, effectively shortening downtime, and amplifying improvements in skin firmness and tone. Through evidence-based clinical data and patient case studies, we will define a procedural framework that balances controlled injury with molecular recovery to restore skin integrity and enhance clinical outcomes.
Learning Objectives:
After attending this program, attendees will be able to:
- Examine the interplay between procedural micro-injury and the inflammatory cascade to define the role of topical antioxidants in managing procedure-induced oxidative stress.
- Analyze clinical endpoints in the treatment of facial photoaging to understand how integrated protocols drive statistically superior improvements in dermal elasticity and melanin index resolution.
- Synthesize clinical experiences and patient case studies to develop evidence-based protocols that optimize the healing environment and enhance patient outcomes.
Dr. Diana Diao
Dr. Harry Liu
The First-Round Pick: Scouting Systemic Treatments for High-Burden Atopic Dermatitis
Step up to the plate and scout for the best talent in treating atopic dermatitis (AD). In this high-stakes session, you'll break down the film on high-burden sites, with a focus on atopic hand eczema (AHE) in moderate-to-severe AD, to recognize the unique impact and associated treatment challenges. League Commissioner Dr. Chih-ho Hong will oversee the draft, as General Managers Dr. Irina Turchin and Dr. Andrei Metelitsa evaluate the latest clinical evidence for systemic treatment prospects in AHE. As the Official Scouts in the stands, you will apply evidence-based decisions to determine which systemic therapies deserve a first-round pick in your treatment lineup for the management of a patient case with moderate-to-severe AD with significant AHE. Get ready to build a championship-calibre treatment plan and knock AHE out of the park. The draft is officially open.
Learning Objectives:
After attending this program, attendees will be able to:
- Recognize the impact and treatment challenges associated with high-burden sites in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD)
- Evaluate clinical evidence supporting systemic treatments for high-burden sites, with a focus on atopic hand eczema (AHE) in moderate-to-severe AD
- Apply evidence-based decisions to the case of a patient with moderate-to-severe AD and significant AHE
Dr. Andrei Metelitsa
Dr. Irina Turchin
Dr. Chih-Ho Hong
Five Years Later: The Evolution of Oral JAKi Use in Moderate-to-Severe AD
Learning Objectives:
As a result of this program, participants will be better able to:
- Describe how oral JAKi decision-making in moderate-to-severe AD has evolved with real-world clinical experience
- Identify patients appropriate for earlier use of oral JAKi
- Evaluate whether the upfront investment in counselling and monitoring with oral JAKi improves long-term outcomes and practice efficiencies
Dr. Andrew Ferrier
Dr. Mark Kirchhof
Dr. Fiona Lovegrove
Lunch
The New Era of HS Management: Efficacy, Safety & Simplicity in Practice
Learning Objectives:
- Explore how the evolving therapeutic landscape of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is simplifying clinical decision-making
- Discuss how the favorable benefit–risk profile of targeted therapies iL17A can translate into a more streamlined treatment approach for patients with HS
- Share actionable insights and real-world experience to support clinicians in their day-to-day management of HS
Dr. Susan Poelman
Dr. Geeta Yadav
Targeting IL-17 in High Impact Sites: Elevating Psoriasis Treatment Outcomes Where It Matters Most!
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze the current landscape of high impact sites in patients with psoriasis
- Understand the burden on the patients and clinicians and the definition of treatment success in psoriasis management when high impact sites are involved
- Summarize the current evidence on the role of I-17 treatments in the presence of high impact sites
Dr. Jeffery Cowger
Dr. Sam Hanna
A Pain in the Rash: An Open Mic Podcast on Herpes Zoster Prevention
We're going "on air" for a high-energy, live podcast focused on the frontlines of herpes zoster prevention in dermatology!
Join our experts, Aaron Sihota and Dr. Jan Dutz, as they mic up to navigate shingles management within a modern dermatology practice.
Our hotline is now open for listeners to leave voicemails, place calls, or share their clinical pearls. Want to join the conversation? Scan the QR code to text the show in real-time. This fast-paced format delivers the actionable insights you need to level up your patient care.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Identify the specific burden of herpes zoster and related complications within the dermatology patient population
- Translate current Canadian immunization recommendations for herpes zoster into actionable vaccination strategies for clinical practice
- Apply the clinical evidence supporting the use of recombinant zoster vaccine in at-risk patients in routine clinical practice
Dr. Jan Dutz
Aaron Sihota
Molecular Maintenance: The Role of Ceramides in Barrier Normalization from AD Flare to Remission
While clinical clearance is the primary goal of AD therapy, molecular dysregulation often persists in non-lesional skin. This session explores the role of IL-1α as a critical stress-induced alarmin that drives subclinical inflammation during remission. We will analyze how ceramide-dominant therapies can quiet this "molecular alarm," normalizing the skin barrier and raising the threshold for future clinical flares.
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze current guidelines to define the foundational role of therapeutic skincare as both monotherapy and adjunctive to systemic treatments in atopic dermatitis
- Examine the pathophysiology of subclinical inflammation in non-lesional skin, specifically the role of IL-1α as a stress-induced 'alarmin' and a primary driver of barrier-defect persistence
- Evaluate the role of ceramide-based therapies in normalizing skin-barrier deficiencies during AD flare ups and remission phases
Dr. Chih-Ho Hong
Dr. Maxwell Sauder
One Size Does NOT Fit All: Dosing Matters
Atopic dermatitis, as a chronic inflammatory skin disease, remains complex to manage, particularly across different life stages where variations in skin physiology, barrier function, and immune response can influence drug exposure and treatment outcomes. These differences present unique challenges for therapeutic decision-making and highlight the importance of age-appropriate considerations in clinical trial design, including dosing strategies and safety assessments.
Join us for an open presentation where our expert speakers, Dr. Tiffany Chen, Dr. George Christodoulou, and Dr. Allison Gregory, will deliver key insights into the role of skin physiology and pharmacokinetics alongside clinical considerations for managing the heterogeneity of atopic dermatitis across a patient's different life stages. In this presentation, the implications of developmental differences in skin structure and function will be reviewed alongside how pharmacokinetic data inform posology decisions, particularly in pediatric populations. Through the review of clinical data, the audience will hear from these experts who will provide practical guidance on selecting and optimizing advanced targeted topical therapies in pediatric atopic dermatitis.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss implications of skin physiology at various life stages and their impact on dosing considerations
- Assess how pharmacokinetic studies inform intentional topical dosing decisions
- Review the latest clinical trial data on advanced targeted topical therapy options in pediatric atopic dermatitis
Dr. Tiffany Chen
Dr. George Christodoulou
Dr. Allison Gregory
Dermatology Update, Spring 2026 Closing Comments
Dr. Charles Lynde
Arcutis Canada’s CLARITY™ Expert Working Group
Bausch Ad Board TBA
Galderma Acne & Rosacea Advisory Board
UCB HS Consulting Meeting
Are you a dermatologist or a family physician?
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