aloe

to peel or not to peel...and just let it all sloff off naturally?

when i was a kid, we didn't use suntan lotion. i had some mofo's of sunburns. and the worst i've had as an adult was when i went to my first nude beach at 19 and my poor pale skin just couldn't take it. i spent two days laying on the floor, pretty much unable to move, covered with soft cloths that my friends would keep rewetting.

and i got a bad one recently on a beautiful day when i didn't put block on my legs, but sat at a picnic for a couple of hours. i still have stripes of fading tan on my legs. weird-looking.

one thing i've learned as a home-made remedy is milk. when the sunburn is fresh, keep dabbing milk on it. it dries, but there are enzymes that apparently help process the burn faster.

and yes, aloe if you have it. fresh is best, but they sell stuff that's almost 100% aloe. use that instead of something that just has aloe added to it.

i'd say don't peel it yourself, but once it's past the pain, you can use an exfoliating cloth of some sort on it.

on the playa, and when i live on the beach in thailand, i put sunblock on once in the morning -- i use 30, which is plenty sufficient for how much time i'm out in the sun, and slather it on when i'm naked and looking in a mirror so i don't miss any spots. and i let it soak in. i never re-apply it during the day, when well-applied, it seems to last.

i use a 45spf on my face, one that's meant for faces so it's not as annoying when it drips into my eyes. that one i will reapply.

I really like the Neutragena Ultra Sheer sunscreen for my face because it's lightweight and not greasy. I use it instead of moisturizer during the sunny months (I live in Portland) and at the burn. I also like the Coppertone oil-free stuff, just because I hate the heavy, sticky stuff out on the playa when I'm already hot and sticky. We also have some sprayable waterproof (baby, I think) stuff, which is good for hard to reach places, if you're alone and for your scalp. Please spray your scalp! A sunburned head is rather unpleasant.

I like the aloe with lidocaine for burns. Takes the edge off.

thanks for all the input and advice!

i scrubbed mildly with my natural bristle back brush...and that helped a lot.
the new skin is very sensitive...and hurts to touch still :(
i also mixed up some Vitamin E oil, coconut oil and a drop of lavender oil....and that REALLY helped...
the blotchy patches are fugly :( but it's a lesson learned!

i bought some "Burt's Bees" sunblock...i like their other products and was psyched to find a 30spf
on the bottle it says "NON-WHITENING" as soon as i put it on my face...it was white...very white :(
disappointing...but i'll use it anyway so as not to waste it.

i also got some spray on 30spf for the burn, 3 bottles! :D

vinigar will help stave off peeling (best done right away) but it will sting

after that aloe and cool compresses

Sadly, as a redhead who hates putting on sunscreen (stupid, i know) i have a bit too much experience in this area.

-aloe vera, apply liberally and often so the skin is always moist. The fresher the better
-camomile tea (or any tea with tannen). You can steep some in water and then put a washcloth in it and make a compress for yourself.
-Warm bath (more on the cool side). You can add in: Oatmeal (i never tried though) or apple cider vinegar
-sour cream if you've got nothing else (typical russian treatment, but I suppose any heavy-cream would work here)

My top four :)

I find Witchazel to be very good for sunburns. There's a slight odour when you first apply, but it fades as it dries. It feels good, and it typically prevents me from peeling.

Only use Aloe while you still have pain. Aloe actually sucks the moisture from your skin. Once it stops hurting, start using something that adds moisture back into the skin.

I like Skinceuticals range of sunscreen - have yet to burn on the playa.