Tiger Woods has progressed to the point of "light" chipping and putting and there have been "zero" setbacks or complications since back surgery was performed on March 31, according to the golfer's ... What is a Woods Lamp? A Woods lamp, also known as a blacklight or Wood’s light, is a handheld device that emits UV light.

Understanding the Context

It is widely used in the field of dermatology and aesthetics for skin analysis. The Wood's light or Wood's lamp was invented by a physicist named Robert Wood. It's a light that emits long-wave ultraviolet light and can detect fluorescence in skin and hair. The examination is painless and safe.

Key Insights

A Wood lamp is used to identify the extent of pigmented or depigmented patches and to detect fluorescence. Normal healthy skin is slightly blue but shows white spots where there is thickened skin, yellow where it is oily, and purple spots where it is dehydrated. Clothing lint often shines bright white. Wood’s lamp examination is a tool healthcare providers use to examine your skin, scalp and hair. The lamp emits ultraviolet (UV) light, or blacklight, which makes certain types of cells glow or turn colors.

Final Thoughts

To achieve its high utility, the Wood’s lamp projects ultraviolet light onto the skin which in turn reflects a visible light that a trained eye can use to diagnose and monitor multiple dermatological ailments. A Wood’s lamp is a device that emits ultraviolet (UV) light that is commonly used by medical professionals such as dermatologists to assist in the diagnosis of various pigment and infectious disorders. A Wood's lamp is a light that uses long wave ultraviolet light. When an area of scalp that is infected with tinea (a type of ringworm fungus) is viewed under a Wood's light, the fungus may glow. This test may be done to detect the presence of a fungal scalp or skin infection.