While acne is a common skin condition that is not really deadly, it can leave ugly scars and blemishes on the skin especially in severe cases. There are many causes of acne and there are also different types, the most common of which is the so called acne vulgaris. This skin condition is often found in teenagers during puberty although some adults also have this. Since acne can unfortunately bring with it embarrassment and humiliation, especially to teenagers, healing acne, as well as knowing the many causes of acne, is something that should be taken into serious consideration.

Causes of Acne

Acne formation usually occurs when the pores are clogged with excess oil or sebum along with dirt, causing bacterial reactions that lead to inflammation. Among the various causes of acne, heredity is perhaps a major factor, as some individuals have genetic structures that are prone to this skin condition. These individuals often have extra productive sebaceous glands causing increased levels of oil piling up inside skin pores, usually beneath hair follicles. Some of them also shed skin more than other people causing the buildup of dead skin cells that will eventually block the pores.

Skin sensitivity is also one major factor among the different causes of acne. Some types of skin, for example, are allergic to certain products, such as shampoos or lotions, that otherwise wouldn’t have any adverse effects on other skin types. Hormonal changes, especially during puberty and before or during a woman’s menstrual cycle, can also lead to the formation of acne.

Diet is also one thing that should not be ignored with regard to identifying the different causes of acne. Eating foods with high sugar and oil content may contribute to the excessive production of sebum on our skin. Stress, which often results to lack of sleep, is another contributing factor to the formation of acne.

Healing Acne

In cases where acne formation is caused by food intake, staying away from fatty food is definitely a good way of healing acne. Medication, usually in the form of pills, is ideal for healing acne that results due to fluctuations in hormone levels. Topical applications of certain anti-acne substances can also help greatly not only in healing acne but also in controlling and preventing acne onslaughts.

Also, key to healing acne is cleaning the skin, especially facial skin, by washing it with a gentle soap and water or with a water-based cleanser on a regular basis. This is to prevent dirt and sebum from building up on the skin, thereby eliminating potential clogging of the pores.

Knowing the various causes of acne is very important so that anybody who suffers from the skin condition will be able to find a suitable and effective means of healing acne problems.