PERIOD BLOOD FOR HAIR GROWTH?! š³š©ø LETāS TALK ABOUT WHAT THE SCIENCE ACTUALLY SAYS!
PERIOD BLOOD FOR HAIR GROWTH?! š³š©ø LETāS TALK ABOUT WHAT THE SCIENCE ACTUALLY SAYS!
Just because something contains stem cells doesnāt mean your body can absorb them! And this is exactly why understanding the science matters.
I recently came across a comment on social media that said:
āSomething is really wrong with some people!!! A lady is encouraging others to put menstruum on their scalp!!!!ā
Now, I know some people are immediately disgusted by the idea, but my first question wasnāt about whether it was gross.
My question was: Is there any actual science behind it?
Because hereās something that might surprise you: Menstrual blood really can contain stem cells.Ā And scientists have been researching those cells for their potential medical applications.
But does that mean rubbing menstrual blood onto your scalp can stimulate hair growth?
Letās break down the biology, because thereās a HUGE difference between something sounding scientific and something actually working.
š§¬ FIRST, YES! MENSTRUAL BLOOD CAN CONTAIN STEM CELLS.
Researchers have identified what are called menstrual blood-derived stem cells (MenSCs).
These cells have attracted scientific interest because of their ability to multiply and develop into certain cell types under controlled laboratory conditions.
Researchers are investigating their potential applications in regenerative medicine, tissue repair, and other treatments.
So the idea that menstrual blood contains biologically interesting material isnāt made up.
That part is legitimate science.
But hereās where the misunderstanding begins.
š¬ YOUR SCALP DOESNāT WORK LIKE A SPONGE!
One of the biggest misconceptions about skincare and hair growth is that anything you apply to your skin automatically gets absorbed.
Thatās simply not how human skin works.
Your scalp has a protective outer layer called the stratum corneum.
Its job is to help prevent harmful substances, microorganisms, and foreign particles from entering your body.
Certain small molecules can penetrate this barrier, depending on their chemical properties and formulation.
But stem cells arenāt tiny skincare ingredients.
Theyāre entire living cells, generally measuring several micrometers or more in diameter.
Theyāre far too large to simply pass through intact skin the way some topical medications can.
And while hair follicles provide potential pathways for certain substances, that doesnāt mean rubbing menstrual blood onto your scalp delivers living, functioning stem cells into those follicles.
There is no credible clinical evidence demonstrating that this happens.
š§Ŗ BUT WHAT ABOUT STEM CELL TREATMENTS FOR HAIR GROWTH?
Now THIS is where the science gets interesting!
Scientists have been investigating whether substances produced by stem cells could help support hair growth.
Some studies have examined:
Growth factors involved in cellular communication.
Stem cell-conditioned media containing substances released by cultured cells.
Extracellular vesicles, including exosomes, that may carry biological signals.
Laboratory-prepared extracts being investigated for their effects on hair follicles.
Some early research has shown promising results.
But hereās the important distinction:
These studies involve specially prepared biological materials, controlled procedures, and specific formulations.
They do NOT establish that applying untreated menstrual blood to your scalp will produce the same effects.
And many of the hair-growth studies involve cells obtained from sources other than menstrual blood.
You cannot automatically transfer those findings to menstrual blood.
ā ļø WHAT ABOUT THE RISKS?
Menstrual blood is a natural bodily fluid, but natural doesnāt automatically mean safe or beneficial as a topical treatment.
Menstrual fluid contains blood, endometrial tissue, and other biological material. Once collected, it may also contain microorganisms from the vaginal environment or contamination during handling.
Applying it to irritated, inflamed, or broken skin could potentially increase the risk of irritation or infection.
And most importantly, there is no established clinical evidence that rubbing menstrual blood onto your scalp prevents hair loss, repairs damaged follicles, or stimulates new hair growth.
š” HEREāS WHAT PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND.
Having stem cells in a substance is NOT the same as having a treatment that successfully delivers those cells where they need to go.
For a stem cell treatment to work, scientists must consider cell viability, delivery methods, safety, the surrounding tissue environment, and whether the cells or their products actually produce the intended biological response.
Simply placing cells on top of your skin doesnāt accomplish those things.
Thatās why legitimate regenerative medicine involves extensive research rather than assuming that anything containing stem cells can be used as a treatment.
šÆ MY FINAL TAKE
I donāt think we should automatically ridicule people for exploring unconventional ideas, especially when some of those ideas are inspired by real scientific discoveries.
But we absolutely need to distinguish scientific possibility from scientifically proven results.
Yes, menstrual blood can contain stem cells.
Yes, researchers are investigating stem cell-related therapies for hair growth.
NO, that does not mean your scalp can absorb intact stem cells from menstrual blood just because you rub it onto your head.
And NO, there is currently no credible clinical evidence that applying menstrual blood directly to the scalp promotes hair growth.
The science is fascinating. The research is worth following.
But the DIY treatment? The evidence simply isnāt there.
Before you put something on your body because someone on social media claims it works, ask one important question: Has this actually been tested, or are we taking a scientific fact and turning it into an unsupported beauty claim?
Because those are two very different things.
What do you think? Would you have believed menstrual blood contains stem cells before reading this? šš§¬
Comments