@taylor_ukTaylor, ... you read all sorts of things online. You can always do nothing and keep your scars. This is a journey, a long one. It depends on how you heal. With cross we are raising your scar floor in hopes that the scar widens and then the skin can be resurfaced when it's textural. Do not treat nearby icepicks as they may join if supper close, rotate your treatments if you need.
If this is not successful, ... there is surgical punch excision, which is even more aggressive, ... it's a surgery. Start with several crosses and some energy work and then if you need to do punch excision you can.
You can always do a small test patch of icepicks and not the whole thing if your concerned.
Only TCA cross or punch excision can improve these kind of ice pick scars. Needling and retin A will do nothing in this case, only improve your texture.
Im a big enthusiast of TCA cross, i highly recommend this and is high likely thatyour scars/pores will improve tremendously if its well performed. The chances of damage your skin further with TCA cross are smaller than another invasive procedures since the application is limited to the scar area. I dont like to encourage and create false hope on people, so, dont expect any miracle, but keep the TCA cross plansince its cheaper and recommended for your scar type. You will need several sessions.
@taylor_ukSounds Good Taylor, ... yes a long journey, De Rerum also said good advice.