Utah Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

Which type of light is utilized by a Woods lamp?

1. White light

2. Filtered black light

3. Infrared light

4. Ultraviolet light

The correct answer is: Filtered black light

The type of light utilized by a Woods lamp is filtered black light. This specific lamp uses a filter to block out visible light and allows only ultraviolet (UV) light to pass through. The resulting effect is that it produces a form of illumination that appears dark or black, which is helpful in assessing skin conditions and detecting various skin issues such as pigmentation, bacteria, and other abnormalities. In the context of skin care, the Woods lamp is particularly useful because it can highlight certain skin conditions that are not visible to the naked eye. For example, under the Woods lamp, certain types of pigmentation issues may fluoresce, making it easier for an esthetician or dermatologist to identify and diagnose skin problems. While white light, infrared light, and ultraviolet light are all significant in different contexts, the Woods lamp specifically uses filtered black light to serve its purpose in skin analysis. This ability to reveal underlying skin conditions makes it a valuable tool in esthetic practices.