A Wood’s lamp is a gadget that emits purple or violet UV rays.
Normal, healthy skin will not glow under the lamp.
Some kinds of bacteria, fungi, and other skin conditions will.
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This article explains how a Wood’s lamp works to detect skin and hair conditions.
It also covers the conditions it can help diagnose and what you might expect during the exam.
Also Known As
The Wood’s lamp was named for the physicist who invented it.
A magnifying glass over the light provides a close-up look.
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Healthy skin just looks blue under a Wood’s lamp.
This makes the affected areas glow.
The color of the glow varies according to the pop in of skin condition.
Here’s what to know about how this exam is done.
How to Prepare
Your skin should be clean and dry before the exam.
Do not apply any perfumes, makeup, lotions, or other skincare products.
During the Test
A Wood’s lamp exam must be performed in a completely dark room.
First, your healthcare provider will turn on the lamp and let it warm up for about a minute.
Summary
A Wood’s lamp emits long UV rays that can help identify various skin conditions.
The colors that they “light up” can guide a diagnosis.
A Wood’s lamp exam is brief, painless, and safe.
If your doctor diagnoses you with a skin condition, the next step will to receive the appropriate treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are no significant risks associated with a Woods lamp examination.
The throw in of light used does not irritate or burn the skin.
You will be asked to cover your eyes during the exam to avoid any damage to the cornea.
Healthy skin doesnt glow under a Woods lamp and appears blue.
The light these devices emit is the same, though they are constructed differently.
A Wood’s lamp exam is sometimes called a black light test.
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