What Is Menstrual Masking? The Skincare Trend Where Women Uses Period Blood On Face

Vampire facial, Snail slime to bird poop facial – the list of bizarre skincare trends goes on and on. The internet keeps amping up new, and often strange, skincare rituals that go viral. One such trend that has been doing the rounds since quite some time in the skincare world is that of menstrual masking.

As the name suggests, it indeed is related to menstruation. Women, who follow this trend, use their own period blood as a facial mask. Sounds shocking, right? But it is the truth. And trust us when we say this – this trend has got followers globally. So, what exactly is menstrual masking and how safe is it? If you are curious to know, read ahead.

What Is Menstrual Masking?

The world of skincare is a fascinating one. Every other day there is something new that comes up – be it skinimalism, slugging or skin cycling. What’s interesting is people seem to be walking an extra mile to get that perfect glass skin. Similarly, a few years ago, the skincare trend menstrual masking made its way.

In the viral skincare trend, women were seen applying their own menstrual blood on their face like an at-home facial treatment. The trend was popularised and given the name ‘menstrual masking’. It also goes by the name ‘moon masking’. This is related to the belief that the moon cycle influences and affects our menstrual cycle.

Is Menstrual Blood Good For Skin?

Some studies have indicated that menstrual blood may be beneficial for skin.
A 2016 study noted that “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.”

Another study, which was published in the World Journal of Plastic Surgery, discovered that stem cells derived from period blood is a “suitable cell source in repair and regeneration of skin diseases and naturally photoaging of skin” caused by long-term sun exposure.

Period Blood On Face – Yay Or Nay?

Some women have shared their menstrual masking journey on social media, and spoken about how it has benefited them. Some studies too have mentioned that period blood may be good for our skin. But despite all this, one cannot state with certainty that menstrual masking is a safe skincare ritual. Rather, many skincare professionals are completely against it.

Many experts have called out menstrual masking for being an unhygienic and baseless practice. Some dermatologists have questioned whether it actually yields any benefits or not.

Speaking about its safety, many professionals noted that period blood may be natural, but it passes through the vaginal canal, during which it can pick bacteria and fungi such as staphylococcus aureus. This can lead to infections if it gets inside cuts or pores of the skin. Menstrual blood also contains uterine tissue, cervical cells, and vaginal fluids. All of these carry bacteria.

Thus, the safety of menstrual masking remains a big question. And one must be careful before following a viral skincare trend. It is always advisable to consult a professional before incorporating any new skincare regime into your daily life. Better be safe than sorry, isn’t it?

Also Read: TikTok’s ‘Morning Shed’ Trend: Does It Really Benefit Your Skin? A Dermatologist Weighs In

The Final Word

Menstrual masking is a viral skincare trend where women use their own period blood as a facial mask. Despite some studies noting that period blood might be beneficial for skin, dermatologists are against this practice and question its effectiveness and safety.