Uh, What Is Toasted Skin Syndrome? The Very Common Habit That Causes It

As I often say: Everything is skin care. So many of our daily habits and lifestyle choices affect how our skin looks and feels, from how much we sleep and manage stress to what we eat. Add this to the laundry list of things that may be affecting your skin: where you place your laptop when working. 

A confession: Since the rise of at-home work, I've developed a habit of putting my laptop on my, well, lap! (It's in the name, after all.) I know it's not the best for my posture. I know it'd be much better for my neck, shoulders, and back if I was more consistent about sitting at my desk. I know that I'd probably stand taller if I committed to a more ergonomic setup. 

"If you ever wondered where you got this reticulated 'fishnet like' pattern of erythema and hyperpigmentation, it could actually be from your laptop, space heaters, or heated blanket—basically anything that causes repeated exposure to direct heat or infrared radiation," Lamm shares. 

"The direct heat that we get from repeated, prolonged exposure to laptops can cause the breakdown of elastic fibers and basal cells in our skin, thereby releasing melanin and resulting in a hyperpigmented rash," she told me later over email. 

Erythema and hyperpigmentation can be caused by several factors, such as the sun, acne, injury, and stressors—all of which trigger free radicals and inflammation in the skin. This inflammation can manifest in discoloration, either dark spots; pinkie, ruddy hue; or both. Hyperpigmentation (dark spots) happens when the cells that control melanin production become overactive and lead to extra pigment. Erythema, on the other hand, happens when tiny blood vessels in the skin become dilated and enlarged. 

This can be temporary. But when exposed to heat consistently and repeatedly, it can become harder to deal with. Hyperpigmentation, in particular, can take longer to fade. "Mild cases will resolve over the course of months, while more severe cases may persist for years or remain permanent. Think twice before next time you put your laptop on your lap, folks," she says. 

If you find that you're already dealing with some pigmentation issues, you'll want to look for body products with anti-inflammatory and brightening properties. Look for lotions packed with antioxidants, such as coenzyme Q10, niacinamide, fruit extracts, botanical oils, and vitamin E, which can help fight free radical damage and neutralize oxidative stress. You'd also do well to find soothing ingredients like oat extracts and aloe, as these can also help ease any heat-induced irritation. 

My personal go-to is mindbodygreen's postbiotic body lotion. It contains aloe, shea butter, coconut oil, a fruit complex, oat oil, moringa seed oil, CoQ10, and high-tech biotic ingredients. It has a silky smooth texture that can help support the skin barrier, ease reactive skin, and help fade dark spots.