Milady Esthetics State Board Practice Test

Normal healthy skin appears what color under a Wood's lamp?

1. Yellow

2. Green

3. Blue white

4. Purple

The correct answer is: Blue white

Under a Wood's lamp, normal healthy skin typically appears blue-white. This is due to the way the Wood's lamp emits ultraviolet (UV) light, which causes skin to fluoresce in specific colors depending on its condition and characteristics. Healthy skin reflects this blue-white light because it has an even distribution of melanin and is properly hydrated. Other colors observed under a Wood's lamp can indicate different skin conditions or issues. For example, yellow may suggest the presence of bacteria or an unhealthy buildup of products, while green can indicate the presence of certain skin diseases or infections. Purple generally suggests skin conditions or nothing typical related to healthy skin. Understanding these indicators can help estheticians assess skin conditions accurately and provide appropriate treatments.