What is the best way to treat a sunburn?

Apply aloe: Apply aloe vera to the burn, take an antiinflammatory, and "tincture of time".

Sunburn care: Keep sunburn cool with moist cool/cold compresses. Avoid alcohol containing products. Break off pieces of aloe vera plant & apply sap to skin. Consider non-steroidal anti-inflammatory meds to reduce pain. Don’t yank off peeling skin or burst blisters. Seek medical care for severe pain, fever, lack of improvement of symptoms within several days or if a large surface area is blistered.

Not really: Cool compresses; aloe vera gel (avoid the ones with Benzocaine as they can cause allergic skin reaction); topical otc steroid cream for more painful burns (remember to use very sparingly to avoid potential skin damage). Prevention is even better: sun blocks that protect against uva & uvb applied b4 exposure; long sleeves, broad-brimmed hats, pants. For sever blistering, see fp.

Sunburn Tx: I agree with dr. Lewis. Apply cool compresses. Aloe vera (aloe barbadensis) can reduce redness, pain, itching & swelling from a burn. It has anesthetic, anti-inflammatory & antibacterial / antifungal qualities. It can speed burn healing by stimulating growth of new skin. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and acetomenophen can be very helpful. Hydrate well and don't peel off any deep layers.