Aloe vera has been used for centuries for skin care purposes. It is a succulent plant, and aloe vera get is extracted from the plant’s inner leaves. In its raw form, the pH (a measure of acidity or alkalinity) is within a range of 4-6, which makes this gel acidic.
The normal skin’s pH ranges from 4.5-5.5. Whereas other tissues in the human body keep a pH closer to 7.4 (neutral), the skin actively keeps the pH in the acidic side to:
- Maintain the skin barrier function working
- Supporting a normal skin microbiome (bacteria that live on the skin)
- Reduce inflammation
When the raw aloe vera gel is applied to skin, it serves to:
- Maintain the normal skin pH
- Promote wound healing
- Moisturize
The problem with using aloe vera after a laser procedure is that during commercial processing (not raw aloe vera anymore), the raw gel may be filtered, heat-treated and preservatives, fragrances and stabilizers are added. This changes its pH, and in addition to this adverse effects on the skin’s natural pH, the added substances may cause a reaction on raw, injured skin. Fragrances and other additives can foster allergic reactions, especially when in contact with open vulnerable skin. Finally the commercial product may degrade on the shelf and that may alter its component as well.
