Think Your Skincare Routine Is Wild? Social media has taken beauty trends to a whole new level. In many viral videos, women apply their menstrual blood on their faces and claim that it delivers a radiant glow. Yes, you read that right. Dubbed menstrual masking or moon masking, videos under the hashtag #periodfacemask have amassed over 6.4 billion views, turning curiosity into a widespread phenomenon. While it captures attention, doctors are raising red flags, warning that this DIY beauty hack could cause serious harm.
What Is Menstrual Masking?
Menstrual masking involves applying period blood to the face for a few minutes before washing it off. Advocates claim that it contains stem cells, cytokines, and proteins that may rejuvenate skin and enhance radiance. Despite its popularity, the practice remains unregulated and lacks extensive clinical research.
Menstrual Blood Not Safe
Stem cells derived from menstrual blood, known as MenSCs, are believed to accelerate skin repair, boost collagen production, reduce wrinkles, and support healing. The trend has been compared to the vampire facial, which uses sterilised platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from a patient’s blood and gained popularity after Kim Kardashian shared her experience. Experts strongly caution that menstrual blood is not a safe alternative to PRP treatments.
Why Doctors Warn Against It
Medical professionals highlight that menstrual blood can carry bacteria, fungi, and pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus, which may cause infections if absorbed through the skin. It can also contain sexually transmitted infections. The mixture of blood, endometrial tissue, vaginal secretions, hormones, and its pH can disrupt the skin barrier, leading to irritation. Red blood cells are pro-inflammatory and may worsen existing skin conditions.
While social media trends may seem intriguing, menstrual masking carries significant health risks. Experts advise avoiding DIY treatments with bodily fluids and following clinically tested skincare routines to ensure safety and skin health.
