Raised acne scars I think?

When I was around 14 years old my aunt gave me some make up for Christmas.  Although my memory isn't too clear from this time because it was quite some time ago as I am 25 now...I do remember that because I put on that make up I got some really painful pimples on my nose that I refused to let my mother "pop" because they hurt so bad!  The pimples never went away and I now have these raised scar like pimples on my nose.  You can see the white heads in them but they aren't red, don't hurt, and aren't "popable" . I have tried to pop them in the past which resulted in an abrasion and little other result.  The white "stuff" that did come out seemed hard...almost calcified and the bump never went away. As the years have gone by especially after being pregnant for 3 years (I have 3 children 3yrs and under!) they seem to have gotten worse.  When I was a teenager I was prescribed retin A? I think that was what it was called...but I stopped using it because I was a silly teenager who didn't like the way it made my skin looked.  I wanted to be able to wear make up and didn't like my skin always peeling.  Then I got married and was unable to do anything about my acne because I got pregnant.  After I had my first daughter I went to the dermatologist and she really couldn't tell me what kind of acne I had on my nose nor could she give me any type of clear of answer of how to fix it with the exception of that retin A stuff which I couldn't use because I was nursing my daughter...fast forward about 2 years later I'm still in the same boat.  It's very frustrating because it does effect my self esteem as well as it really prevents me from wanting to be in pictures with my daughters which makes me sad.  I have flirted with the idea of some type of laser treatment after I wean my 3rd daughter but I still just want to know what this is and why I have it! I have really large pores which might have something to do with it but I rarely have new pimples.  Also it would be nice to know what kind of treatments I could do that would be the quickest in terms of getting this stuff gone.  It know no matter what treatment I get, it will take a little time and not be an over night cure...but the retin A stuff for instance just seems like it would take a LONG time to get ride of these things.  

[loiloi]

Hi. Oily make-up may not have helped, but it sounds like your acne is hormonal not cosmetic acne. Acne occurs when patients have high levels of androgens (hormones like testosterone).This is common during times of hormonal change such as puberty and pregnancy. Androgens stimulate the sebaceous (oil) glands in the skin. Bacteria on the skin feed off this excess oil (called sebum) blocking the pores and resulting in acne.
You have lots of choice of how to heal your acne (once you have weaned your daughter):
i) A topical retinoid like Retin-a or Differin. These are applied at bedtime so you can still wear make-up in the daytime.
ii) A course of oral antibiotics such as Oxytetracycline 250mg twice daily.
iii) An anti-androgen contraceptive pill such as Yasmin, Yaz or Diane35.
iv) A non-hormonal anti-androgen medicine called Spironolactone.
v) Oral Isotretinoin (formerly called Accutane). This is the stongest acne medicine available which is only prescribed when other medicines have failed.

Do not pop acne pimples. This spreads bacteria under the skin leading to more spots in the same place, delayed healing time and (if done repeatedly) long term scarring.
Best Wishes, Eloise.