Adolescent Skin: How to Keep it Healthy.

In order to identify and successfully treat the age-specific problems of adolescence, the physician must have knowledge of the physiologic skin changes of adolescence. The physician should provide practical advice on the basics of skin care, including face-washing technique, cosmetic use and sun exposure, since other sources of this information may be misleading. Acne, warts, scabies, tinea versicolor and molluscum contagiosum represent common skin disorders that require an organized treatment strategy. Most teenage patients will comply with even the most complex treatment regimens if reasons for, and mechanisms of, therapy have been adequately explained.