Menstrual masking: Why people are applying period blood on their face; Dermatologist has a warning

A lot of influencers out there believe that applying period blood on one's face is beneficial for skin (Picture Credit: X)

When it comes to weird skincare hacks, there are already plenty out there. A new trend that is gaining traction on TikTok is certainly raising many eyebrows out there. It's called 'menstrual masking' wherein people, both men and women, are applying period blood to their faces. Can't believe? It's understandable and the word that pops up in our heads to define the trend is 'gross'.

Most of you would be wondering as to why people would do so? Well, simply put, they believe that applying period blood on their face comes packed with a lot of skin benefits. Yes! There are influencers who claim that period blood is packed with stem cells, cytokines and protein - all of which help in repairing and rejuvenating the skin.

Social media is one place where you will find all kinds of things. When it comes to skincare hacks, one should definitely talk to dermatologists to test the veracity of the claims. Moneycontrol team spoke to Dr Akankshya Baruah, consultant dermatologist at Kaya Limited, to know more about menstrual masking and if one should try this or not.

Also read: Dermatologist rates viral skincare trends and a popular one scored only 4 on 10; Can you guess what it is?

Why menstrual masking trend is gaining momentum?

"See, this trend has got the traction, because the underlying narrative is that menstrual blood on the skin acts as a natural remedy against healing, anti-ageing and acne-related concerns. And we know, a lot of people these days want to adopt natural skincare practices. This explains why influencers out there are talking about menstrual masking trend," she shared.

Should one really try menstrual masking?

"Applying menstrual blood on one's face to get skin benefits is not a scientifically proven and a tested hack," Dr Baruah told Moneycontrol. She added that it is true that menstrual blood is composed of different substances including hormones, proteins and immune cells. "However, there's no clinical evidence that topical application of menstrual blood will help enhance skin texture, decrease acne, or slow down ageing. In fact, all the components of menstrual blood have a very low absorption rate. In my opinion, whatever difference people think they are feeling after applying menstrual blood on their faces is probably placebo effect," Dr Baruah highlighted.

Also read: Vidya Malavade hasn't used soap in a decade; Learn what a dermatologist has to say about it

Potential consequences of applying period blood on one's skin

Doctor warned there can be many implications of using menstrual blood on the skin. "The chance of bacterial contamination is high, and it can cause infection, irritation, or aggravate already existing acne. The complex composition of blood can also result in allergic or inflammatory reactions," she concluded.

Disclaimer: This article only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific diagnosis.