Show Notes
Would you put menstrual blood on your face if it made your skin glow? Should we all be Menstrual Masking? Or, is it actually causing more harm than good?
Halloween is just around the corner, so in this episode Consultant Dermatologists Dr Emma Craythorne and Dr Ellie Rashid explore the more unusual skincare practices. Stuff involving the use of human blood! What's the evidence? Should a Vampire Facial (PRP - Platelet Rich Plasma injections) be on your list this Halloween? ...They also cover the absolute non-negotiables for staying safe under the knife or the needle!
Plus, in the spirit of spooky season, they look at DIY face mask ingredients like pumpkin, garlic, and eggs to ascertain whether they’re worth the effort - or not. SPOILER: one of them frequently causes contact allergies!
Key Questions Answered:
Does applying menstrual blood to your face actually improve skin quality or glow? And what are the risks?
Vampire facials: Do PRP injections live up to the hype or claims?
What are the clinical infection risks of getting a blood-related procedure in an unregulated setting?
Can household items like garlic, pumpkin or egg whites safely treat acne or tighten skin? Are the DIY Halloween themed skincare trends worth following?
Episode Highlights:
The Menstrual Blood Mask Trend: Deconstructing why viral period blood skincare makes zero physiological sense and introduces severe bacterial risks.
The 500 Dalton Rule: Why your skin’s natural barrier keeps large pathogens and proteins out.
The Truth About Vampire Facials: How PRP (platelet-rich plasma) works, the "buffy layer" separation, and lessons from the Albuquerque clinic outbreak.
Microneedling & Bloodletting Safety: Why sterile CQC-registered environments are non-negotiable for any procedure breaking the skin barrier.
Lasers vs. Blood: How modern fractional and ablative lasers (like UltraClear) create intentional clinical micro-injuries compared to DIY methods.
Kitchen Skincare Fails: Why garlic causes fingertip contact dermatitis and why pumpkin enzymes belong in cleansers, not raw DIY masks.
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Connect with us:
After Hours Skin Clinic Instagram: @afterhoursskinclinic
Dr Ellie Rashid: @drellierashid
Dr Emma Craythorne: @dremmacraythorne
TikTok: @afterhoursskinclinic
YouTube: After Hours Skin Clinic Channel
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