WOOD'S LAMP (SUN DAMAGE) TEST


Serving Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Grimsby and surrounding areas.

Dermatofibroma for Hamilton, Grimsby and Stoney Creek

What's a Wood's Lamp?


A Wood's Lamp is a special hand-held light that emits "black light".  Black light is painless and not radiation.  This special wavelength of light used by a dermatologist or medical aesthetician to show aspects of the skin that are not visible to the naked eye.  It is like a microscope that gives us an even clearer view of what is happening in the skin, such as sun damage, bacterial or fungal infections and lack of hydration. 

The Wood's Lamp test is not used to identify skin cancer, but can identify sun damage which is a risk factor for skin cancer.


How is the test done?

  • Your skin is cleansed and make up is removed
  • You may either lie down on a treatment bed or remain sitting in a chain
  • The overhead room lights are dimmed
  • The light is turned on and directed to the area to be examined
  • Any area can be examined including the face, chest, arms and hands
  • A mirror can be used to show you areas of sun damage on your face
  • There is no pain at all with this procedure.
  • There is no radiation, risk or sunburn or any other significant risk.
  • The technician can point our areas of sun damage and inform you of options for treatment.


What do the different colours from the blue light mean?


When the skin is exposed to blue light, the skin surface emits different colours.  Each colour means something different. 

For example:


White = thick corneal layer (excess dryness)
White Spots = dead cells, abnormal skin maturation
Blue/White = normal healthy skin
Purple = thin skin, lacking moisture
Light Violet = dehydrated skin
Brown = sun damage
Pink/orange = oiliness
Bright fluorescent = hydrated skin
yellow/orange = blackheads

Bright Yellow/Green = certain fungal infections

Bright "Coral Red" = certain bacterial infections

This is an amazing tool that allows both you and your skin care professional to see things that are not visible to the naked eye. 

Even better there is no risk of skin damage from the test.  There is no radiation; no pain and it's available free in our office whenever you see one of our aestheticians.

Please call our aesthetic centre directly at:(905) 549-7873  to book a free Wood's Lamp Test.








Examples of Sun Damage shown by using a Wood's Lamp

Brown = Sun Damage

 

The Wood's Lamp

 

Please click on the icons above for an enlarged view