Facial masks from semen are really useful or just advertising?

There are many myths that say that sperm, aka male semen, can be used as a face mask. Even though it sounds a little strange, maybe even disgusting, is it true that there are benefits of male sperm for the face?

Contents in male semen

Not many people know that male semen is actually rich in nutrients. Per 100 milliliters (ml) of thick vaginal discharge secreted by the penis can contain 0.5 grams of protein from 200 different types.

Semen is also known to be high in zinc, which can help meet 3% of your body's daily needs. In addition, semen contains a small amount of fat, carbohydrates, fructose and calcium.

Are there any benefits of semen as a face mask?

Some time ago, there was a trend of using semen for facial masks boom due to claims of benefits of the spermine it contains. Spermine is a derivative of the substance spermidine in male semen. Spermidine is believed to contain antioxidants that can reduce wrinkles and fine lines, making skin look younger.

A study published in the journal Nature Cell Biology in 2009 tested this theory by injecting spermidine directly into human skin cells. As a result, spermine appears to have the potential to slow down the skin aging process. However, the true benefits of semen alone for the skin when used as a face mask are uncertain.

What about other nutritional content from sperm? The protein content in sperm is believed to make the skin look bright, radiant and supple and firm. Unfortunately, this theory has not been substantiated by good medical research. Even if you look at the amount, the protein content in semen is very small, so it is considered that it will not have any effect on your skin

Proteins found in skin care usually come in the form of amino acid peptides. But until now, the benefits of protein for the skin can only be proven to be efficacious when consumed from food.

Likewise with the zinc content. It has long been believed that zinc in semen is useful for treating acne when used as a face mask. Zinc is also believed to trigger collagen production for the repair of aging skin cells. But again, there is no solid evidence from valid medical research that can support this theory.

Until now, there is no recommendation or advice from health and beauty experts to use semen as a face mask. Nutritionists, dermatologists, and beauticians believe that the benefits of protein and zinc for skin beauty will only be maximized if they are obtained from consuming healthy foods.

Using semen for face masks is actually a risk to health

The benefits and side effects of using semen as a face mask are uncertain. However, this beauty trend cannot be separated from the possible negative risks. Applying male semen directly to the skin can cause a severe allergic reaction to contagious infection if the source is unclear and is not examined further. How come?

As mentioned above, sperm contains 200 different types of protein. This may trigger an allergic reaction in some people. Allergy to sperm is also known as plasma protein hypersensitivity. The mildest allergic reactions include redness, dryness, swelling, and itching. Meanwhile, severe cases of sperm allergy can trigger anaphylactic shock.

At worst, applying semen of unknown origin can increase your risk of contracting an infectious disease. This is very possible if the semen comes from a man who has venereal disease, whether known or not.

Disease-causing germs can enter the skin tissue, especially if you have open scars or acne scars. Semen that contains the disease can also enter the body when it is mixed with mucus in the lips, nose or eyes. Some types of venereal diseases that are prone to be transmitted in this way are herpes, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.

If the semen gets into the eye, the risks are not limited to redness of the eye irritation. However, it can also cause ocular herpes and chlamydial conjunctivitis.

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