The short answer
Aloe can turn reddish-brown under intense light or other stress. Pale, dry, sharply defined patches after a sudden move into sun are more consistent with sunburn.
Why this happens
Aloe likes strong light, but a plant grown indoors needs time to adapt to outdoor sun. Dehydration, cold, and damaged roots can also affect color, so consider recent changes rather than judging color alone.
What to do
- Move a recently scorched plant to bright filtered light.
- Inspect the soil and roots if leaves are also soft.
- Reintroduce direct sun gradually, starting with morning light.
- Judge recovery from healthy new growth.
Keep in mind
Adding water will not repair sunburn. Water only when the mix has dried sufficiently.