What type of light is used in a Wood's lamp?

A Wood's lamp utilizes ultraviolet (UV) light, specifically a type of black light, to enhance the visualization of certain features in the skin. This specialized light is employed in skin analysis because it can help highlight various skin conditions, such as pigmentation issues, bacterial infections, and certain abnormalities that are not readily visible under normal light conditions.

When skin is examined under a Wood's lamp, different conditions will fluoresce in specific colors, providing estheticians and dermatologists with valuable insights for diagnosis and treatment planning. The capability to illuminate and differentiate skin characteristics under this UV spectrum is why the Wood's lamp is a crucial tool in skin care practice.

Other light types such as white light and blue light do not provide the same diagnostic capabilities as a Wood's lamp. Infrared light, while useful in other applications like heat therapy, does not have the same effect on skin assessment as the UV light emitted by a Wood's lamp.