Technology-savvy teens with acne used their medicines more often when they also took part in an internet-based communication, a study from dermatologists at Wake Forest shows.The study is published in the October issue of Archives of Dermatology. For this investigator-blinded, randomized, prospective study, Steve Feldman, MD, a dermatologist, and colleagues enlisted 20 male and female participants, aged 13 to 18 years, with mild to moderate acne. The teens were prescribed topical benzoyl peroxide, 5 percent gel, daily for 12 weeks. They were randomized 1:1 to a control group or to an Internet-based survey group. Those in the Internet survey group were sent a weekly e-mail containing a link to a survey assessing their acne severity and treatment. They answered a total of six questions that addressed how they used the medication.Medication use was monitored objectively with electronic monitors that recorded the date and time when the medication containers were opened. Adherence was rated as a percentage of days the medication container was opened. The mean adherence rate was 89 percent for the Internet survey group and 33 percent for the control group.I have found that communicating with my teen patients is critical in improving their compliance with treatment.  They are teenagers after al!