Healing Burns or Scale Rot?

[KaijuWaifu]

I use a heat gun but also keep stick-on thermostats in the enclosure. I'll keep that in mind if I do set up another heat pad, but don't think I'll chance it. I much prefer to use newspaper to aspen, as I worry about mold and other spores or moisure I can't see.

[Lizardlicks]

stick-on thermostats

Those are THERMOMETERS not THERMOSTATS. Also the stick on ones are bunk, they're inaccurate and break easily. A THERMOSTAT is a device that you plug the heating element into so it can regulate the heat output. ALL HEATING DEVICES NEED TO BE REGULATED, INCLUDING CHEs. An unregulated heating device can easily reach and exceed temps of 115f.

You DO NOT need the heating element to get hot through the carpet. As you have discovered, you animal will move the substrate out of the way. Temperature readings for the hotspot should be taken at the surface of the glass with an infrared heat gun. It should not exceed 92f.

[bcr229]

I use a heat gun but also keep stick-on thermostats in the enclosure.

Those are thermometers not thermostats.
A thermostat regulates a heat source, a thermostat measures temperature. You need both and they should be good quality.