Doctors advise on viral menstrual blood smearing trend
There have always been oddballs who have espoused drinking from the golden fountain (their own p**s), but nowadays people are taking it one step further by rubbing menstrual blood on their faces.
On TikTok, people have been championing it as a form of skin care - but does it actually work?
Watch someone flaunting the alternative beauty treatment here:
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You would think people would think twice before smearing their own fluids all over themselves, but in this day and age, people seem more than happy to unthinkingly copy whatever trend they might stumble across on TikTok.
Indeed, the #periodbloodfacemask hashtag has been viewed about five million times on the platform, and while a lot of people think it's a bit rank, there are many who have claimed the method has left their skin looking better than ever.
However, it seems such people are benefitting from our old friend the placebo effect.
"There seem to be anecdotal stories of benefit whereby people claim to see improvements in acne or overall 'glow', but there is no clinical evidence, and the medical information we do know indicates it is unlikely," Dr. Ava Shamban, a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills, told HuffPost.
"I think it is popularised by those who would dare to do anything in the name of beauty for social media — seeking glam for the 'gram regardless of the dermal disaster."
Dr. Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, concurred.
"Period blood is a mixture of shed epithelial cells from the lining of the uterus and red and white blood cells," she said.
"There isn't data that show that whole blood has any benefits when applied topically, and red blood cells may even be pro-inflammatory."
One proponent of the period face masks, TikToker Michela Ferullo, said doctors rubbished the idea due to 'internalised misogyny', claiming the treatment was also about 'connecting to your feminine energy'.
However, given the lack of proven benefits and potential health risks, you may as well start rubbing your own s**t on your face while you're at it in a bid to reconnect with your neanderthal energy.
"Menstrual blood is full of vaginal secretions, endometrial lining, bacteria, fungi and microbes that make up the downstairs 'ecosystem' within," Dr Shamban said.
"This blood product is not recommended as it actually can transfer bacteria or other microbes that could do more harm than good for the skin."
Maybe stick to the moisturiser then, yeah?
Jake Massey