Ultimate Scar Care Guide

Scars stay with us for life, and so does our capacity to support them.

This guide is designed to support people living with scars to understand their recovery and learn how to support their scar and healing journey. It focuses on general lifestyle support, not medical grade care or advice. 

At 13 months old I suffered a major 3rd degree burn to my left arm. I’ve lived with scarring basically my entire life. This guide is a reflection of thoughts and experiences I’ve had along my journey.  

Recovering from scarring can be multi-layered and complex. The impacts of the scar and healing can be quite extensive on the body. And there is also the emotional impact of the scar itself, let alone the trauma that may have caused it. These impacts can sit in your body for a long time, beyond the scar healing.  

There are many ways to support your scar, whether it’s recent or 20, 30, 40+ years old. Scar care is self care. It’s not going away, but there are a lot of things you can do to help your body, and yourself, deal with this change. 

So, whether your scar is something you've lived with for a while, or is relatively new, or you're supporting someone through their recovery, I hope this guide gives you some relief, guidance and support. 

If you have any suggestions, feedback or just want to reach out, you can contact us at info@brownerabbit.co.nz  

Tracy 
Founder, Browne Rabbit 


Table of contents

  1. Understanding scars and why they form
  2. The different types of scars
  3. Immediate scar care
  4. Living with scars long term 
  5. Somatic recovery and scar healing 

 

Section 1: Understanding scars and why they form

Scars aren’t random, they’re the body’s built-in repair system at work. To care for a scar, it helps to know what it actually is and what your body is doing as it heals.

This section breaks down the biology behind scar formation, helping you see the structure of your skin, how wounds heal, and why scars look and behave the way they do. When you understand the process, the rest of your care routine starts to make sense.

 

Section 2: The different types of scars

No two scars are the same, and neither are their needs. Scars can be flat, raised, indented, stretched, or mixed‑pattern, and each type forms for different reasons.

This section helps you identify what kind of scar you’re working with so you can choose the most supportive care approach.

  1. Flat scars
  2. Hypertrophic scars
  3. Keloid scars
  4. Atrophic scars (acne, chickenpox, indented)
  5. Contracture scars
  6. Stretch marks (striae, dermal scarring)
  7. Mixed-Pattern scars

 

Section 3: Immediate scar care

The first weeks of healing shape the long‑term outcome of a scar. This is when your body is working the hardest, and the care you offer now can make a meaningful difference later.

In this section, you’ll learn what’s happening beneath the surface, how to keep your scar clean and protected, and how rest, hydration, and gentle pacing support your body’s repair processes. Think of this as your roadmap for the earliest, most active phase of healing.

 

Section 4: Living with scars long term

Once the initial healing has settled, your scar enters a slower, more subtle phase of change. This is where long‑term care matters, not in a rigid or demanding way, but through small, consistent actions that support comfort, mobility, and appearance over time.

This section explores what you can expect in the months and years ahead, how to care for mature scars, and when professional treatments may be helpful.

 

Section 5: Somatic recovery and scar healing

Scars don’t just affect the surface, they can influence how your body feels, moves, and responds to the world. This section explores the deeper layers of scar healing: the nervous system, the fascia, the emotional landscape, and the subtle ways scars can shape your sense of ease.

Here, you’ll learn how somatic practices, touch, and biomimetic care can support both the physical and internal experience of healing, helping your body soften, integrate, and restore balance over time.

 

This guide is designed as lifestyle support, it is not medical advice. If you are ever concerned about your scar, contact your medical team or GP. If you have access to EAP services or similar, this can also be helpful.