I Ruined My Skin, so please don't do this!

Have your ever heard of Toasted Skin Syndrome? It is a skin condition called Erythema ab igne. The term comes from the Latin meaning "redness from fire". It is also known as "chronic heat dermatitis" and latptop induced dermatitis, it is brought about from prolong periods or repeated exposure to heat. This prolonged exposure or repeated exposure to heat leads to damage to the skin at the cellular level. This syndrome is not new as it was first observed on people who work close to extreme heat, like the furnace of old trains, wood ovens, coal and wood stoves or open fires. It could also be observed on people who have overused heating pads or blankets.


A few weeks ago I noticed this area on the back of my thighs just above the knee that looked to me, like varicose veins or some sort of bruising; it was a net-like pattern of brownish red lines. It covered a large portion of the back of upper leg on one side and some on the other leg. I really didn't know what to think about it. I searched the internet and diagnosed it as several conditions but still was not sure. Finally I broke down and spent the $100 to go to the doctor.  The doctor took one look at it and told me it was caused from standing in front of heat, which in my case was the wood stove. The doctor explained to me that she had seen cases of this on the front of the thighs from prolonged heat from laptops. She also indicated that it may not fade as it dependent on the extent of damage to the dermal layers. I was so bummed! I now have this giant mottled discoloration on the back of my upper legs and don't know if it will ever go away!

I have read several articles about Toasted Skin Syndrome and have read that young children are more susceptible to this condition as in the case of a 12 year old boy playing games on his laptop for hours at a time, (see picture). This can be a permanent skin discoloration! There is a concern among doctors that people with toasted skin syndrome may be at risk of developing skin cancers although at this time no cases have been reported. Although it seems to be that chronic and prolonged inflammation of the skin can increase the risk for squamous cell carcinoma (squamous cells are found in the tissue that forms the surface of the skin, the lining of the hollow organs of the body, and the passages of the respiratory and digestive tracts. Thus, squamous cell carcinomas can actually arise in any of these tissues).

I write this article to share with you the dangers of prolonged use of a laptop on your lap without a cooling pad or some protection to your lap, and standing to close to your wood stove or any heat source for that matter. The back of my thighs are really darkened and have a web like pattern and I have no clue if it will ever clear up. I am so bummed!!

So on mine own accord I decided that I will exfoliate it away, lol. I don't know if it will help but I bought a microdermabrasion cloth hoping to slough off those few top layers. Additionally, I have told all my friends to be wary of standing in front of their wood stoves and to purchase a laptop pad for protection.

Below is some lap protectors for your laptop. They come in all shape, sizes and design. Read the reviews and decide which type you would like. I strongly advise that you purchase one for you and especially for your children if they are on laptops.

Carol Belanger author of 300+ Skin Care Recipes
For skin care articles and skin care recipes visit Complete Skin Care Therapy
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How to Keep Your Skin Care Routine Simple

Good skin care starts with nourishing your skin inside and out. It is more than just an application upon application of skin care products. Overuse of and a menagerie of skin care products can actually be more detrimental to your skin and to your health especially when they are loaded with harmful or otherwise questionable ingredients.

A great complexion first starts with good health which means staying fully hydrated and getting the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals in our diet each day. A balanced diet equals better health and a healthier, glowing complexion. Some basic nutrients the skin needs is pure water, zinc, soy protein, vitamin E, vitamin C, B-complex, carotenoids a flavonoids, and omega 3 fatty acids just to name a few.

The basics that your skin also needs are cleansing, toning, moisture and protection. Additionally there may be specific problem areas you will need to address such as blotchiness, acne or breakout, dry patches, etc.

First let's start with the basics:

Cleansing: First and foremost you must understand your skin type when selecting a cleanser. Dry skin should avoid foaming cleansers and use a milk cleanser or lotion, oily skin can get by with a foaming cleanser if not to harsh (drying out oily skin only makes the skin react and produce more oil), combination skin should use a cleanser with a low ph of 7 or less.

Toning: I have read differing opinions on whether a toner is necessary or not but I am a firm believer of toning. Toning removes the last traces of cleanser, restores ph balance and closes the pores prior to moisturizing. Again, understand your skin type when selecting your toner. A few herbs for each skin type are as follows: Dry skin: elderflower and sandalwood, Oily skin: lemon balm or fennel, witch hazel, Combination Skin: Chamomile. There are numerous herbs mixed with green tea or distilled water to easily make your own toner at a fraction of the cost of store bought toners.  Get some toner recipes.

Moisturizer: My moisturizer has a double duty, it hydrates and protects because it contains a SPF. No matter what skin type, you skin needs to be hydrated. Dry skin needs hydration and moisture and oily skin still needs hydration. Additionally I always recommend a daytime moisturizer with SPF and a nighttime moisturizer emollient rich.

Secondly let's address special treatments:

Dark circles under eyes consider almond oil. It is a natural moisturizer and rich in Vitamin E. It will moisturize and thicken the skin under the eye area so you don't see the thinness. Massage under eye area before bedtime. Note: if allergic to nuts consider olive oil. Another note: dark under eye circles can be caused by various reasons, the recipe above is for thinning of the skin as we age.

Crows' feet: no need for a special product, apply virgin coconut oil with a few drops of vitamin E oil at bedtime. I think you will see visible results in about a week.

Exfoliate: this treatment is to slough off dead skin and promote circulation and new cell growth. There are a number of home remedies that work such as oatmeal or cornmeal.

Facial masks: masks can do wonders to hydrate the skin. Again understanding your skin type is imperative. For dry skin consider a China/White Clay, for oily skin use fuller's earth or French green clay, sensitive skin yellow kaolin clay and combination skin rose clay.  Read more about clays and get a clay recipe for your skin type.

Above are just a few of the simple home remedies that work and are inexpensive and eco-friendly. Why not give them a try and let me know how they worked for you. Additionally when purchasing skin care products look for natural ingredients.

For skin care articles and skin care recipes visit Complete Skin Care Therapy


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Product Review for the Colgate 360 ActiFlex SonicPower Toothbrush

My new beauty product that I can't live without is the Colgate 360 ActiFlex SonicPower Toothbrush. The ultra sleek design and rubberized grip made this toothbrush easy to hold and with its flexible design can easily clean the back teeth and hard to reach places. Additionally the head of the toothbrush is just the right size so that it covers a lot of area but does not feel like a mouth full.

My teeth have never felt or looked so clean in between dental visits! This toothbrush actually gave me whiter teeth after just a few weeks. I loved the vibrating motion and it actually kept me from scrubbing my teeth or gums too hard.

The tongue and cheek scraper on the back side of the toothbrush is awesome too. It's basically an all in one tool for oral hygiene tool.

This battery operated toothbrush emits a soft humming sound and the motion it produces didn't bother my sensitive teeth. The soft humming reminded me a gentle cleaning that the Dentist would do. What a great way to introduce your child to the sound of a dental cleaning prior to their first visit!




This toothbrush really cleaned and massaged below the gum line. I could just imagine brushing away plaque buildup and bacteria on the gum line. This battery operated toothbrush also eliminates brushing your teeth to hard as the motion of the brush does the work.

The Colgate 360 ActiFlex Sonic Power Toothbrush comes in a variety of colors and the bristles come in hard, medium or soft so there is definitely one to fit your needs. The average price is around $6.00 which I feel is a great price for what this toothbrush has to offer.

It is my understanding that your toothbrush should be replaced every 3 months as the bristles do wear down. So, if you are in need of a great toothbrush, give this one a try!

If you want pearly white teeth with no bleaching agents which can harm tooth enamel, and at a fraction of the cost of teeth whitening products, give this toothbrush a try. I believe it is now the one beauty product that I could not live without.

For skin care articles and skin care recipes check out my many blog posts or visit Complete Skin Care Therapy

Get 15% off skin care treatments at Skin Energizer