Overview
- Videos on TikTok and Instagram show users applying their own period blood as a face mask for glow and anti‑ageing benefits, with Times Now reporting the hashtag #periodfacemask at 6.4 billion views.
- Dermatologist Dr. Shireen Furtado of Aster CMI Hospital advises against the DIY practice, citing infection risk, irritation, and a lack of clinical evidence for topical use.
- Experts emphasize menstrual fluid is not sterile and may carry bacteria and fungi, including Staphylococcus aureus, as well as potential sexually transmitted pathogens.
- Studies cited online involved purified menstrual‑fluid–derived plasma or stem cells used in controlled, sterile conditions, which differs fundamentally from raw at‑home application.
- Comparisons to platelet‑rich plasma “vampire facials” are rejected by clinicians because PRP is processed and applied under strict medical protocols, with doctors urging evidence‑based skincare instead.