Bare-faced selfies: The Naked Truth

A new snap happy fad has hit Facebook, and it is one I whole-heartedly support.

The ‘no make-up selfie’ in aid of cancer awareness has gained considerable momentum in the UK since the beginning of the week.

Thousands of women have posted bare-faced pictures of themselves on Facebook and Twitter, with the hashtag #nomakeupselfie #cancerawareness, followed by a nomination for a friend to do the same.

Despite its good intentions, the craze has divided users online, with many disgruntled social bees left questioning the ‘seemingly pointless’ motive behind such a campaign.

Ironically, yet unsurprisingly, critics fail to see how a news feed swamped with ‘au-naturale’ images of females will contribute to raising awareness about one of the world's biggest killers.

Some complain the campaign discredits the efforts of fundraisers who take on a charitable deed, while others argue your fresh-faced photos will have little impact in raising genuine awareness, and instead urge people to donate money.

It is perhaps indicative of our society that foolish photo trends, such as planking and #neknomination, appear to have copped less vilification.

‘Please stop posting 'make-up free' selfies girls, you’re scaring the male population!,' one Facebook user said.

'How can a selfie contribute to raising awareness of cancer?' another probed.

Yet, the success of the campaign is plain to see.

The trend, which is likely to leap from the UK to Australia's social circle, has sparked a surge of unexpected donations to Cancer Research UK.

The organization denies it initiated the campaign, but has welcomed the boost in funding and awareness push from the billions of active users on social media.

Women taking part are encouraged to donate to the cancer charity using a mobile app, sparking an 'unprecedented' rise in the number of donations via text.

In another positive thread, more and more men appear to be getting involved in this worthwhile cause, after some initial skepticism.

So, regardless of its humble beginnings, it appears 'make up selfie' mania is already having an impact.

Photos of your bare-faces in aid of the cancer fight have also touched me on a personal level.

The images have inspired me to not only think of ways to raise funds for such an important cause, but to consider my own health and well-being.

I cannot recall the last time I checked my own body for abnormalities - At a guess, it has been months, years perhaps.

But after seeing these posts, some carrying a gentle and timely reminder to 'check your boobs girls', I carried out a self-examination.

Thankfully, I found nothing untoward, but I don't doubt that others will have this crusade to thank for irregularities that may otherwise have gone unnoticed.

The campaign has been endorsed by the very people it aims to help.

A make-up free selfie posted by a husband and wife - who is in the midst of a determined battle against cancer - went viral, attracting more than 30,000 at the time of writing.

Raising awareness need not carry a price tag.

I am yet to be nominated for a ‘bare-faced selfie’, but I would accept the challenge with open arms in the hope that my post could go some way in helping to save a life.

Ignore the bad press girls and keep those fresh-faced mugshots coming. Every little helps!