Skin Health & Scarring

Thinking more about a scar, your skin, or how it has changed over time?

Scars and changes in our skin are a normal part of life — but they're also something many people would like to understand and look after better. Cocoon offers guided, at-home hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) that some people choose to explore as part of their wider wellbeing plan, alongside the advice of their own doctor or skin specialist.

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A person outdoors looking comfortable and at ease

What brings people here

When you're paying closer attention to your skin

People start thinking about their skin for all sorts of reasons. If any of these feel familiar, you're in good company.

Surgical scars Injury scars Acne scarring Stretch marks Skin texture Skin that's changed over time Skin after surgery General skin health

These are common reasons people start paying more attention to their skin. Any specific skin concern is best assessed by a doctor or skin specialist — and some people also look for additional ways to support their wider wellbeing.

Understanding skin

How your skin repairs — and how scars form

Skin is the body's largest organ, and it renews and repairs itself throughout life. When it's broken — through surgery, injury or other causes — the body sets about repairing it.

A scar forms as a normal part of that repair. How a scar settles depends on many factors, including the type of wound, where it is on the body, and the individual.

Every scar is different

Every scar tells a different story

Scars form for different reasons. Some come from surgery, some follow an injury, and others are linked to acne or other skin conditions. How a scar looks, and how someone feels about it, is personal.

Because every scar is different, there's no single approach that's right for everyone, which is why a specific scar or skin concern is best looked at with a doctor or skin specialist who can advise on your own situation.

About the therapy

Why some people explore HBOT for skin health

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy isn't a treatment for scars or skin conditions, and it doesn't replace the advice of a doctor or skin specialist. But some people choose to explore HBOT as one part of their wider wellbeing plan. Here's what it actually involves.

01

Oxygen under gentle pressure

During a session you breathe oxygen-enriched air while the chamber is gently pressurised, allowing more oxygen than usual to dissolve into your bloodstream.

02

Dissolved oxygen circulates through the body

That dissolved oxygen circulates in the blood throughout the time you spend in the chamber, reaching tissues around the body.

03

Part of a wider routine

People generally use HBOT as one part of a broader routine — alongside rest, good everyday skin care and the advice of their own health professionals.

Whether HBOT is a sensible fit depends entirely on your situation, and it isn't right for everyone. We'd always encourage you to talk with your doctor or skin specialist about any specific concern, and our team will talk it through with you honestly before you decide anything.

The Cocoon difference

Why at-home HBOT is different

Most hyperbaric therapy means travelling to a clinic for short, scheduled appointments. Cocoon brings the chamber to you — which changes how easily it fits into your life.

Traditional clinic-based HBOT

  • Travelling to and from each appointment
  • Fixed, limited session times
  • Fitting around the clinic's availability
  • Waiting rooms and parking

At home with Cocoon

  • Your chamber is installed in your own home
  • Unlimited sessions across your programme
  • Use it at the times that suit your day
  • No travel, no waiting rooms

Consistency is often one of the biggest challenges in any recovery programme. Having your chamber available at home can make it easier to build therapy into everyday life.

Dr Gary Dennis, founder of Cocoon Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Meet your guide

Guidance from Dr Gary Dennis

DC (USA) · MMC (AUS) · Dip HBOT (USA) · NZCA

Dr Gary Dennis has spent much of his career supporting people with complex and chronic health challenges, with a special interest in neurological recovery and dysautonomia. His own experience recovering from a serious brain injury led him to explore hyperbaric oxygen therapy and the role that consistent access can play within a broader recovery programme.

Every Cocoon programme begins with a personal conversation with Gary to understand your situation, answer your questions and determine whether at-home HBOT may be appropriate for your goals. From installation through to ongoing support, you'll have direct access to guidance throughout your programme.

How it works

Your Cocoon programme

Recovery takes time, and everyone's path is different. Here's how a Cocoon programme works — from the first conversation through to ongoing support.

1

Consultation

We start with a conversation about your symptoms, history and goals, to understand whether HBOT is a sensible fit for you.

2

Personalised HBOT programme

If it's appropriate, we map out a programme — session length, frequency, and how it fits around your routine.

3

At-home therapy

Your chamber is installed in your home, giving you convenient access to HBOT without travelling to appointments or fitting sessions around clinic schedules.

4

Ongoing support

We stay in touch throughout your programme, checking in and adjusting your plan as you go.

A Cocoon hyperbaric chamber set up in a calm home room

What you can count on

Why people exploring skin health choose Cocoon

Guided by Dr Gary Dennis

Every programme is personally guided from your first conversation through to ongoing support.

Consistent access at home

Daily access makes it easier to stay consistent with your programme and fit sessions around your life.

Delivery & setup included

Your chamber is delivered, installed and explained by our team so you can get started with confidence.

Ongoing support

Regular check-ins throughout your programme mean you're never left to navigate the process alone.

Common questions

Skin, scarring & HBOT, answered

Why do scars form?
A scar is a normal part of how the body repairs itself after the skin is broken — through surgery, injury or other causes. How a scar looks and settles over time depends on many things, including the type of wound, where it is on the body, and the individual. A doctor or skin specialist can advise on any scar you're concerned about.
Why does skin change as we get older?
Skin renews itself throughout life, but as we age — and with influences like sun exposure and time — its structure and appearance naturally change. This is a normal process, and how it shows up varies from person to person.
Can HBOT help with scars or skin health?
We can't claim that, and HBOT isn't a treatment for scars or skin conditions. Any specific skin or scar concern is best assessed by a doctor or skin specialist. Some people choose to explore HBOT as one part of their wider wellbeing plan, but whether it's appropriate for you is individual.
Why do people explore HBOT for skin health?
People explore HBOT for different reasons. Some are interested in learning more about how it works, while others are looking at it as part of a broader wellbeing plan. Whether it's appropriate depends entirely on the individual.
Can I use HBOT after surgery?
That depends on the type of surgery, how your recovery is going and the timing, so it needs to be discussed with your surgeon or medical team first. Every Cocoon programme starts with a conversation to check whether it's appropriate.
What does a typical HBOT programme at Cocoon involve?
A typical Cocoon programme runs over about six weeks using a chamber installed in your home. Session length and frequency are mapped out with you based on your situation, so the routine fits around everyday life.
Is HBOT safe?
HBOT is generally well tolerated, but it isn't suitable for everyone and there are some conditions where it isn't recommended. That's why every programme starts with a conversation to check whether it's appropriate for you.
Is it covered by insurance?
Coverage varies and isn't guaranteed. Some people check with their private insurer, or — if a scar relates to an injury — with ACC. We're happy to provide information you can pass on, but we can't advise on individual claims.

Talk to us

Find out whether HBOT could fit your wellbeing plan

Have a conversation with our team about your situation, and we'll help you work out whether an at-home HBOT programme is a sensible fit alongside your doctor or skin specialist's advice. No pressure, no obligation.

Talk to our team

Call 022 067 2277  ·  info@cocoon.net.nz

“The cocoon hyperbaric oxygen chamber is sensational. I don't know, but feel sure, that it has been a life saver. Thanks Gary. Your professionalism and dedication and support is remarkable. I warmly recommend the cocoon to anyone considering the benefits of HBOT. Thank you.”

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- AR