Why women are putting their period blood on their face

Skincare experts warn against dangerous TikTok trend of using PERIOD blood as a DIY beauty mask – as they say it spread bacteria and even STIs to the face

• ‘Menstrual Masking’ or ‘Period Mask’ beauty trend recently went viral on TikTok 
• Videos hashtagged with #PeriodFacemask have 6.4 billion views on the platform
• Skincare experts warn against this trend saying it could cause infection

Experts are warning against a dangerous new TikTok trend which is seeing social media users apply their menstrual blood to their face as a DIY skincare mask.

The idea of ‘Menstrual Masking’ or ‘Period Mask’ has gone viral on the social media platform, with the hashtag #periodfacemask reaching 6.4 billion views on TikTok. 

TikTokers are claiming that period blood contains all the stem cells and all the nutrients that your skin and body needs. 

Some users on TikTok claim to collect their period blood in a menstrual cup and then wipe it across their skin for the supposed benefits, such as leaving behind clear, glowing skin. 

However skincare expert Elizabeth Rimmer of London Professional Aesthetics told FEMAIL those applying their menstrual blood are at risk of ‘inflammation and infection’. 

Period blood mask🩸 #fyp #theordinary #periodblood

Experts are warning against a dangerous new TikTok trend which is seeing social media users apply their menstrual blood to their face as a DIY skincare mask 

While some have argued for years the benefits of smearing menstrual blood across the face, the trend has only recently boomed on TikTok.

A number of beauty influencers have taken to promoting the unusual habit on their social media platform.  

One TikToker said: ‘Using your period blood is the new wave of masks, it’s great alternative for y’know all that expensive stuff from they sell at Sephora.’

She explained how she would recommend DIY masks whilst showing her followers how she applies the mask, and stores it in a bottle with a pipette. 

TikToker Paige Morgan revealed she uses a period face mask several times a week when she generously applies blood to her cheeks 

Reply to @cat.loves.you thoughts? @skincarebyhyram #skincarebyhyram

Meanwhile another TikToker said: ‘The benefits I’ve received from this mask are pretty good.’

She went onto explain how she uses the mask, applying it three to five times a week.

She explained how she dropped five pipette fulls onto her face and used her fingers to rub it is, as part of her normal skincare routine. 

She said: ‘I really recommend this method of using a DIY mask.’ 

Elizabeth told FEMAIL  people should not try the menstrual masking trend.

She recommended that people ‘err on the side of scientifically proven therapies’ when it comes to their skincare. 

She said: ‘There is a lot of talk out there about the use of menstrual masking in breaking the taboos and negativity about periods in society. 

Reply to @thereal1layna what will people think of next 🤔 #menses #facemask #justsayno #badidea #skincare #skincareroutine #dermbypark

‘This much I relate to – menstruating has been whispered about for far too long.

‘In this era of discussion about menopause, making sanitary products free to school children, educating men to understand women’s physiology more – periods should be right up there at the top of the conversation list.’

However, the trend of using period blood on the face is not a proven skin treatment and Elizabeth said it could cause harm.

She explained: ‘Aside from does menstrual masking actually work, one of the main considerations of a DIY mask using period blood is the risk of infection and inflammation.’ 

Elizabeth said: ‘My advice – stay away from it and focus more on proven skin treatments and breaking the taboos and secrecies of menstruation.’ 

This view is also taken by Joyce Park, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, founder at teledermatology clinic Skin Refinery and creator of Tea with MD. 

Dr. Park posted her own video on the social platform where she explained that: ‘Menstrual blood is a mixture of shed epithelial — skin — cells from the uterine lining, white blood cells, and red blood cells.’

Using period blood on your face isn’t safe for a number of reasons, according to dermatologists. 

‘The blood can easily be contaminated with microbes, [such as] bacteria or fungi, and that can spread to your skin,’ explained Dr. Park. 

‘If you have sexually-transmitted infections, you can also spread that to your facial skin by using contaminated period blood.’

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