A MacBook Pro owner learned an expensive lesson after using a hair dryer while applying a skin to his new M5 Pro, leaving several keyboard keys visibly warped and damaged. The incident quickly gained attention after Reddit user “NAVPRO360” shared images showing the melted arrow keys, proving that not every part of Apple’s premium laptop handles heat the same way.
The mistake happened while the owner was applying a dbrand skin to protect the MacBook Pro from scratches and daily wear. According to the post, the skin developed creases around the wrist rest area during installation, so the user decided to use a hair dryer to smooth things out. While the aluminum body handled the heat without any visible problem, the plastic scissor-switch keys did not survive the process.
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Why The Keys Melted
Apple builds the MacBook Pro chassis using aluminum because the material absorbs and spreads heat efficiently. That is one reason MacBook Pro models feel solid and durable during regular use. However, the keyboard keys themselves still use plastic components, which react very differently when exposed to direct heat for even a short period.
The damaged keys in the Reddit images appear warped and uneven, especially around the arrow key section, where the heat likely stayed concentrated for too long. Since hair dryers can generate surprisingly high temperatures at close range, the plastic softened and lost its original shape almost immediately.
Replacing individual MacBook Pro keys is possible, although the process depends on the extent of the damage underneath the keycaps. Some Reddit replies pointed out that Apple sells replacement parts through its repair channels, while cheaper alternatives are also available through sites like AliExpress.
The owner also confirmed that the laptop has AppleCare+ coverage, though it remains unclear whether Apple will treat the incident as accidental damage with a service fee attached.
The situation also serves as a reminder for MacBook owners who apply skins or wraps themselves because excessive heat can permanently damage sensitive components long before the aluminum body shows any signs of trouble.
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