How should a Wood's Lamp be used during a skin examination?

Using a Wood's Lamp during a skin examination is best performed in a dark room and at a distance of 4-5 inches from the client's skin. This setup allows the practitioner to effectively observe the skin's condition under the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp. The dark environment enhances the visibility of any skin issues, such as pigmentation irregularities, bacterial infections, or other skin conditions, by causing them to fluoresce. Maintaining an appropriate distance ensures that the light is bright enough to reveal details without causing discomfort or overly harsh lighting, which could obscure the examination.

Lighting must be controlled because too much ambient light can interfere with the ability to see the fluorescence caused by the Wood's Lamp. Using it in a brightly lit room would diminish the lamp's effectiveness. Similarly, keeping a distance that is too far may prevent an accurate assessment of the skin’s conditions, whereas a distance that is too close might not allow for a comprehensive view.