Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disease marked by vividly red, scaly plaques that can profoundly affect patients' appearance and psychological well-being. Beyond its visible signs, psoriasis also causes microscopic and anatomical changes in the skin—such as dilated capillaries and neutrophil accumulation—that support its diagnosis. Non-invasive tools like the Wood's lamp (ultraviolet light at ~365 nm) have emerged as valuable adjuncts in evaluating psoriasis by revealing subtle features of inflammation and scale, which are not discernible under regular light.
What Is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder affecting about 2–4% of people globally, with plaque psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris) being most common (~90%) actasdermo. It affects all genders and can begin at any age, though it often appears between ages 15–25, with some variability due to genetics, environment, and ethnicity.
Psoriasis arises from an interplay of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers (stress, infection, trauma), causing sustained immune activation. Dysregulated T-cells, particularly Th17/IL-23 axis, produce cytokines that accelerate skin cell proliferation and cause vessel dilation. This leads to hallmark features: thick, scaly red plaques with welldemarcated borders .
Patients develop itchy, well-demarcated plaques covered in silvery-white scales on extensor surfaces (knees, elbows), scalp, and lower back. Scalp and nail involvement is common; nail psoriasis (pitting, oil-drop discoloration) affects up to 40–45%. Auspitz's sign—pinpoint bleeding when scales are removed—is characteristic but not exclusive to psoriasis. These clinical signs form the basis of diagnosis, often supplemented by dermoscopic and Wood's lamp evaluation.
How Does a Wood's Lamp Work?
Wood's lamp emits UVA that excites endogenous or microbial substances (fluorophores) in or on the skin. These substances emit visible fluorescence of different colors due to Stokes-shift, revealing changes not visible under regular light. The patient's skin should be clean and motiveless (no cosmetics or residues). The lamp is turned on (20–60 sec warm-up), then held 10–30 cm from the lesion in a dark room. Careful evaluation under magnified UV allows visualization of fluorescence from keratin, collagen, or other compounds .
Traditional mercury-based Wood's lamps may include a slight magnification. More modern handheld LED- or UV-equipped dermatoscopes (like IBOOLO's model) combine magnification with UV light for targeted fluorescence dermoscopy.
Does IBOOLO Have a Product that Can be Used to Observe Psoriasis?
IBOOLO currently offers two Wood Lamps, the DE-215 and DE-315. the DE-215 is currently available with two light modes, white light and 365nm UV light. The DE-315 has two UV light modes, 365nm and 405nm UV light. The DE-315 has two modes of UV light, 365nm and 405nm UV light, and is used to observe psoriasis with 365nm UV light. Therefore, both IBOOLO DE-215 and DE-315 can be used to observe psoriasis.
Meanwhile, IBOOLO dermatoscopes DE-3100 PRO and DE-4100 PRO have UV light mode, and IBOOLO dermatoscopes have the function of 10X magnification polarization, which can make the psoriasis morphology more clearer with the polarization and UV light.
Can Wood’s Lamp Fluorescence Differentiate Psoriasis from Other Dermatoses?
Wood’s lamp excels at distinguishing psoriasis from look‑alike conditions:
Psoriasis fluorescence: Under UVFD, psoriatic plaques may show a pink-red fluorescence due to protoporphyrin IX in the scale.
In contrast, tinea versicolor fluoresces yellow-green, erythrasma produces coral-red, and vitiligo appears blue-white.
Pigmentary conditions also show specific patterns—e.g., epidermal melasma is enhanced, while dermal melasma is not.
Studies report red fluorescence in psoriasis plaques, sometimes correlating with higher disease severity. While sensitivity and specificity vary, combining Wood’s lamp with dermatoscopy strengthens diagnostic accuracy and reduces unnecessary biopsies.
How Does Wood’s Lamp Guide Treatment Selection and Monitoring?
UVFD fluorescence can indicate scale thickness or active porphyrin accumulation. Patients with strong red fluorescence may benefit more from keratolytic agents (salicylic acid, urea) before topical steroids or biologics to enhance absorption. Detection of subclinical inflammation—via enhanced vascular patterns—can influence treatment intensity.
Dermatoscopic features (vessel pattern, hemorrhagic dots) evolve with treatment; resolution of dots and normalization of vessels are signs of effective therapy. Wood’s lamp can detect fading or persistent fluorescence, offering early signs of recurrence before the scale visibly returns.
How Can Psoriasis Be Prevented?
Although psoriasis can’t be cured, its impact can be minimized through prevention strategies and consistent skin care.
Prevention & Lifestyle Modifications
Reduce triggers: manage stress, treat infections (e.g., streptococcal pharyngitis), avoid smoking, and minimize skin trauma.
Address comorbidities: treat metabolic syndrome, obesity, and hypertension to reduce disease burden.
Daily Skin Care
•Moisturize daily with emollients to maintain barrier function and reduce flare-ups.
•Apply gentle cleansing and keratolytics to manage scale buildup.
•Use sunscreen regularly—UV exposure can exacerbate lesions but must be balanced with phototherapy plans.
•Avoid harsh irritants.
Consistent daily care supports both skin health and treatment adherence, reducing relapse frequency and enhancing quality of life.