Forget serums — TikTok’s newest ‘Glow Hack’ uses period blood, and dermatologists are sounding off

Much like every other industry that has to push through an endless sea of clutter on the internet, the beauty industry has also been seeking the borders of its own field. These days the only thing that can get you any attention in an industry is pushing the envelope so far out that you cannot be ignored. Well, the beauty industry might have just finally found its cliff through a new TikTok trend that involves using menstruation blood as a face mask.

The justification of this trend heavily relies on a 2018 study by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. The primary function of plasma cells in the human body is strengthening our natural system. The study revealed that the plasma derived from menstrual fluids is more effective than that derived from regular blood. In 24 hours, the plasma from regular blood could heal 40% of a wound. But using the same time period and a similar wound, the plasma from menstrual fluids healed the entire 100%.

The trend has grown its influence, and as you can probably guess, it’s already become a main topic in podcasts around the world. The Mamamia Out Loud podcast from Australia, which usually focuses on topics that affect women navigating contemporary challenges, gave the “Menstrual Mask” commentary that listeners understood best.

Even in their clip, when one of the hosts introduces the idea of the new beauty trend that has taken over the beauty industry — nobody wants to hear the “boring” announcements that water or rest helps your skin. They want a silver bullet. The latest one just so happens to be the “menstrual mask.”

It’s important to add that there have not been any actual tests to reassure the safety of this home procedure. As we found out during the entire Tylenol debate, announcements and scientific research don’t have the same timelines. When the announcers switch off the lights, that’s when the scientists start their jobs. And for this particular Menstrual Mask saga, the scientists so far have findings that reveal menstrual blood may sometimes maintain different fungi and bacteria that spur infections through face pores or cuts.

It’s probably best before you try something like this that you get qualified medical opinions instead of just going off TikTok trends. But it should be more than a consolation that medical scientists are more concerned with figuring out a way of breast cancer prevention that doesn’t involve mastectomy. The best part is they are seeing progress.

As for beauty trends, this could probably go the same way the last Kim Kardashian–promoted vampire facial went. A new controversy that she could surf until she introduces her new tie-in product. For some, it’s hard to outrightly ignore internet trends because that’s just all the content they consume the entire day. But at least double-check.

Perhaps it’s also best to follow dermatological experts who could point you to safer options. They tend to also have social media pages that educate followers on dos and don’ts. It’s not the same as going to the doctor, but it’s better than following a trend.