New Delhi:Imagine scrolling through social media at night and suddenly coming across videos in which people are seen applying their own period blood on their faces, as if there is a new sheet mask trend. This shocking and strange experiment is now becoming increasingly viral in the name of menstrual masking.
Influencers are claiming that period blood contains stem cells, cytokines and proteins, which repair and rejuvenate the skin. That is, in a way, the body’s self-care ritual to recycle itself. But the question is, is there any scientific basis behind it? Or is it a trend of social media where the claims have gone far ahead of science?
This viral beauty trend is attracting as much attention as it is raising concerns. In #periodfacemask or menstrual masking, people apply their own period blood on the face as a DIY skin treatment. Proponents claim that it makes the skin glow, reduces acne and makes the skin look younger. But medical experts are calling it dangerous and useless.
It is being shown in the video that many users apply the blood collected in the menstrual cup as a thin layer on the face and wash it off after a few minutes. It has received millions of views on social media. Many people are also calling it moon masking or a spiritual ritual connected to the female body and natural cycles.
The appeal of this trend is getting stronger for many reasons as it promises natural skincare, breaks taboos, and helps the body heal itself. The anti-capitalist argument against expensive skincare, and the ultimate shock value. But going viral does not make anything scientifically valid.
First of all, period blood is not just blood. These include: blood (including RBC, WBC), shed parts of the uterine membrane.
When people say that it contains stem cells. So this is not completely wrong, but it is incomplete truth. Most importantly, menstrual blood is not sterile. Applying it directly on the face can introduce bacteria, inflammatory cells and dead tissue into the skin.
It has no competition with the clinically used Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP). PRP is processed, sterilized, and applied under doctor’s supervision. In contrast, period blood is a biologically mixed fluid that has never been tested for use on the human face.
There is not a single peer-reviewed clinical trial that proves that applying unprocessed period blood to the face is safe or beneficial. However, research is being done in regenerative medicine on menstrual blood-derived stem cells. But in the laboratory, under sterile conditions.
For example:- In 2019 research, exosomes derived from MenSCs healed wounds faster in diabetic rats.
In another study, seeding MenSCs on human amniotic membrane led to better wound-healing in mice.
A 2021 review described MenSC-exosomes as promising for medical treatment.
