What is a Wood’s Lamp & What it Can Do For Your Skin

A Wood’s lamp is a medical device that uses UV light to reveal skin conditions that would otherwise be invisible to the naked eye. Dermatologists use this tool to diagnose a wide range of skin concerns from bacteria and fungi to early signs of sun-induced aging and the overall health of skin cells. For someone that is meticulous about my skincare routine – cleanser, serums, masks, the works – I was ready to shine some light on my hard work.

Brown Spots – pigmented skin, dark spots

Once under the black light, the Wood’s lamp revealed a speckling of brown spots covering my face. I was shocked – but not entirely surprised. When I look in the mirror, my complexion is pretty clear. But as a self-proclaimed sun worshipper in my younger years, I knew there was a high probability of sun damage lurking beneath the surface. Luckily, there is one ingredient I know can erase underlying sunspots while preventing new ones from forming: vitamin C! 

Vitamin C is one of the few science-backed ingredients proven to repair the damage caused by the sun-induced free radicals. The reality is, damage from free radicals affects all layers of the skin and accumulates over time. Vitamin C not only repairs existing damage, but also protects skin against future free radical damage. 

Now that I can see sub-surface the freckles and enlarged pores I can expect to appear later on, it’s time for multi-tasking products with vitamin C. This will neutralize free radicals before they trigger even more hyperpigmentation and collagen breakdown. 

Reaching for… Vitamin C Lactic 15% Vitamin C Firm & Bright Serum, Oil-Free Radiant Moisturizer and Firm & Bright Eye Treatment

White Spots – Dryness, dead skin

In my Wood’s lamp image, I also see bright white spots around my lips, nose, and eyes – areas that have frequent movement. This indicates areas of dry, dead skin. The fix? AHAs and BHAs (I choose chemical exfoliants over a physical scrub because the rough particles can break down my skin barrier). 

AHAs and BHAs work together to dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells to reveal younger, smoother skin. The gentlest way to exfoliate is with the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Peel which uses a two-step system. Step one is the acids and step two is the neutralizer which turns off the acids while flooding the skin with repairing ingredients. AHAs and BHAs have additional benefits too, like helping our skin retain moisture and triggering collagen production for healthy, beautiful skin. After using the Alpha Beta Daily Peel for a few days, those white spots should be gone!

Reaching for…  Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel

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