How often should you apply aloe to sunburn?

How to apply aloe

1. 1Get out of the sun, preferably indoors, as soon as you notice the burn.
2. 2Take a cool bath or shower to ease pain, then gently pat your skin dry. Leave it slightly damp if you are applying an aloe moisturizer.
3. 3Apply an aloe moisturizer to damp skin, or gently spread a thick layer of aloe gel over the burned area. Let gel sit on the skin rather than rubbing hard.
4. 4Reapply when discomfort returns. Chilling aloe gel in the fridge can make it feel more soothing.

Which aloe should you use?

For bottled gel, look for 100% aloe vera and avoid fragrances, dyes and alcohol that can irritate sunburned skin. Fresh clear gel from an aloe leaf is another option. An aloe moisturizer can soothe, but some aloe lotions contain additions that dry out or sting. The word 'aloe' on the bottle is not the whole purchasing decision, however much space it gets on the label.12

Skip aloe if it has previously caused a rash or another bad reaction. Read labels carefully if you have allergies or sensitive skin.1

What should you expect over the next few days?

Sunburn symptoms can appear 1 to 24 hours after exposure. They usually peak between 12 and 24 hours, although the peak can occur within 72 hours except in severe reactions. Skin can peel days later. Relief from a topical product is not the same as the burn having subsided: keep the area protected from further sun exposure until it has completely settled. Peeled skin can remain extremely sensitive to sunlight for several weeks.4

What else helps while you recover?

Use a cool, damp washcloth for discomfort between applications, or try a colloidal oatmeal bath. Drink extra water: sunburn draws fluid toward the skin's surface and away from the rest of your body. If blisters form, do not pop them. They help protect healing skin from infection; keep them clean rather than treating them as another area needing more aloe.23

When is aloe not enough?

Skip aloe and contact a healthcare provider for:

• Large, painful blisters or blisters leaking pus.
• Severe swelling.
• Chills or a fever above 102 degrees Fahrenheit, or 39 degrees Celsius.
• Dehydration signs such as dizziness, dry mouth, extreme thirst, fatigue or urinating less.
• Sunburn in a baby younger than 1 year.

Protect the burn from more sun

Seek shade and wear protective clothing, including long sleeves, a hat and sunglasses. Use broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on skin not covered by clothing. Some medicines increase sunburn risk, including retinoids and antibiotics such as doxycycline, making protection particularly relevant if you use them.235