When I take a supplement it keeps it from getting inflamed but without direct localized application I can't get it to go into remission except with an easy area like the face (since that's easy to tan). I always applied it more than they said and was "religious" about it. The main thing is to
keep applying even when it appears to be gone (assuming you have product left) for a few days or a week (I took that from antibiotic SOP and it seems to bear out).
Also, not sure why you brought up shingles but interestingly there IS a potential link between the two that I had the idea about when I was typing the first post.
I'm not sure how vaccines work with already having had varicella. I know that natural immunity is officially recognized for that particular virus (as a reason for not getting the vaccine) but perhaps if you expected to get another case of shingles you "could" prime your system with a toothless version of it prior and that "might" help...idk that's a tough one
I could link a few scholarly articles about the potential connection to varicella if you like, because that's the only thing that I had (age 6) and got my first case of psoriasis (age 7 or 8). Not sure what made me think of it but it's kinda cool.
@Poinsetta this is an attempt at mutli-reply lol, apologies if it's a bit hasty.