Last Updated on December 21, 2022 by Neelam Singh
Quick Take
Various social media posts claim that a new way to benefit the skin is by applying a menstrual blood face mask. We fact-checked and found this claim to be False.
The Claim
A Youtube post shares the video of a woman with the title, “Period Blood Face Mask.”
**DISCLAIMER I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL. I am simply here to share my experience and my perspective. You are fully responsible for yourself if you choose to take on this challenge.**
The caption of the post reads, “10 years from now ill laugh at the haters when period blood face masks are being sold in sephora 👁👄👁 #PeriodBloodMaskChallenge
🩸scientifically & medically proven to be SAFE IF there are NO blood borne diseases and no infections.
🩸our bodies produce what we need each month
🩸period blood can be used as PLANT 🌻🌾 fertilizers
🩸period blood contains nutrients, minerals, stem cells all that you’d find in a $50 skin care product
#SMASHthePatriarchy and I challenge you to take on the #PeriodBloodMaskChallenge”
Fact Check
What is menstrual masking?
Menstrual masking is a new trend, gaining attraction online that involves applying menstrual blood on the face. They believe that this can make your skin smooth, clear acne and leave the skin youthful. It is also known by other names, such as period blood masking or moon masking. Other than the purported use, this is being practised to break the taboo against periods and destigmatize the impurity of period blood.
What is menstrual or period blood made up of?
The menstrual blood is made up of three different types of fluids, namely, the blood, vaginal fluid and the cells and fluid of the late secretory phase of the uterine endometrial lining, which is shed during menstruation.
In other words, it contains the lining of the uterus, white blood cells, proteins and other components such as blood clots and mucus.
Is Menstrual Masking safe and effective?
No. There is no credible scientific evidence that proves that menstrual masking is safe and effective. Rather, it can have some negative impacts.
The proposed benefits arise due to a 2016 study by the World Journal of Plastic Surgery that says, “Menstrual blood-derived stem cells are a real source to design differentiation to epidermal cells that can be used non-invasively in various dermatological lesions and diseases.” But, this study was done on culture plates and in a sterile environment.
Even though the menstrual blood consists of certain micronutrients such as iron, etc., the quantity of these substances is extremely low. And even if the concentration of these was high, they can’t penetrate into the skin without any penetration enhancer and thus cannot be beneficial in any way.
Also, because of the contamination with the vaginal secretions, dead tissues and vaginal flora, it can cause skin inflammation and infection. Even if there are any benefits seen, there is no possible way to harvest the beneficial parts in a sterile way without any cross-contamination, which can cause infection due to the presence of microorganisms, such as bacteria. One would also be risking the transmission of any vaginal infection onto the face.
It must also be noted that this procedure does not resemble the PRP procedure in which the platelet-rich plasma is derived from the blood to improve the skin. However, this procedure is completely sterile and is nothing like menstrual masking. Therefore, this practice should not be performed as this can negatively affect your skin.
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