Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images
Topics: Periods, Beauty, Health, Women's Health, Skincare
Jen Thomas
Topics: Periods, Beauty, Health, Women's Health, Skincare
Just when you think you've heard it all, another weird beauty trend comes into play.
Be warned, if you're squeamish or currently eating, you might want to brace yourself.
Yes, in a time of snail slime, raw garlic, slugging, mouth taping and more, Gen Z have gone one step further in the strange beauty stakes.
Have you heard of 'moon masking' or 'menstrual masking'? As the name suggests, it involves getting even more up close and personal with your period blood.
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Now, I don't know about you, but as someone with severe endometriosis and nightmare periods, the last thing I want to be doing is putting that anywhere near my face.
However, it seems some people swear by it.
In fact, the tag 'periodfacemask' has more than 6.4 billion views on TikTok.
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Forget curling up with a hot water bottle, a comfort TV show, and your body weight in chocolate; many people are mixing up a little face mask with their period blood instead.
Some fans of the method claim it is 'healing', and believe it contains stem cells which will rejuvenate their skin if applied in a DIY vampire facial. But in case you are actually considering this, dermatologists and experts are warning against it.
One dermatologist, Dr Lee, told Cosmopolitan that period blood is made up of around 34 percent blood, with the rest being 'other elements', and warned of the serious damage this trend could cause.
"Applying it to the skin is more likely to worsen acne and generate a skin infection – such as folliculitis, impetigo, abscesses, erysipelas or cellulitis", she explained.
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"When you have a period once a month, your blood loss contains dead, sloughed-off endometrial cells" she advises, saying it also contains "blood, cervical cells, vaginal cells and natural genital secretions, including cervical mucus."
She said that while it will contain stem cells, it doesn't do what people are hoping.
"Period blood is old blood and contains dead cells" she stressed.
"Old sloughed-off endometrial cells and dead red and white blood cells are all dead and decaying tissues."
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The dermatologist also added that they won't 'heal' as some on TikTok hope because 'by the time they are applied, they are likely to be dead.' Yum.
One fan of the method, Daniela, told Dazed: “It’s really empowering. Our blood is so natural and holy. When I allow myself to really connect deeply with my menstruation, it feels like I’m connecting to the earth and to all my ancestors.”
However, the dangers seem to outweigh any supposed benefits. Chances are if you've ever used a tampon, then you've heard about Toxic Shock Syndrome.
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Dr Lee warns that using old period blood can cause this condition: "It is likely to be highly contaminated with bacteria – including staphylococcus aureus which is the cause of Toxic Shock Syndrome."
Many diseases can survive outside of the body for quite a long time in blood, meaning that if you contaminate your surrounding area with the period blood you could be putting housemates or loved ones at risk if you carry any of the illnesses.
She warns: "Sexually transmitted infections, such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C and others, like methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), can all exist outside the body for long periods. These organisms can live on taps, shower heads, toilet handles, sinks, basins and any shared devices such as razors or toothbrushes."
Dr Lee believes people have mixed up the idea of the period blood with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) beauty treatments, where the patient gives blood which is 'spun down in the lab, and the white and red blood cells are removed to leave a concentrated sample of platelets and plasma', explains the dermatologist. It is then injected into the skin.
Maybe this is one to leave to the experts.