While the world embraces body positivity, skin whitening remains a sought-after beauty goal for many people with skin of color (people from racial backgrounds with skin tones darker than Caucasians, including individuals of Asian, African, Native American, and Pacific Islander descent). Opting for skin whitening treatments is a personal choice, but its safety is still questionable[1]. Recently, glutathione skin whitening has garnered significant attention in this regard.
The buzz surrounding glutathione’s potential to combat melanin has turned it into a ‘wonder’ treatment for skin lightening and hyperpigmentation, particularly among individuals with darker skin tones. While parenteral glutathione is officially approved for severe liver disorders and chemotherapy-related neurotoxicity prevention, its unregulated use for skin lightening is rising.
Your Skin, Your Choice: Discuss Glutathione solutions with a reliable Dermatologist!
In this article, we will delve into the current status of glutathione as a skin-lightening agent, addressing key questions regarding dosage, duration of use, and the lasting effects, drawing from clinical evidence and recent insights into its anti-melanin mechanisms.
What is Glutathione?
Glutathione, a naturally occurring antioxidant in the body, plays a vital role in tissue repair, protein synthesis, and immune system support. Glutathione is a tripeptide composed of three amino acids: cysteine, glycine, and glutamic acid[2]. It is the primary antioxidant within our cells, protecting them from free radicals that can cause skin damage. Due to its strong antioxidant properties and additional anti-melanogenic effects, glutathione has gained fame as a “systemic skin-lightening molecule.”
Glutathione is widely available in various forms, including tablets, capsules, topical preparations, and parenteral preparations. The most popular and controversial method of using glutathione for skin lightening is intravenous (IV) administration.
Intravenous glutathione (IV GSH) has received approval from various official drug regulatory agencies to treat specific systemic disorders. For instance, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) in India has been approved to address conditions such as alcoholic fatty liver, alcoholic liver fibrosis, alcoholic liver cirrhosis, and alcoholic hepatitis[2]. Furthermore, the Philippines Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sanctioned its application as an adjunctive treatment to mitigate the neurotoxic effects of cisplatin chemotherapy[3].
Understanding How Glutathione Works
Glutathione inhibits melanin production by targeting an enzyme named tyrosinase. It also serves as a potent antioxidant, reducing the effect of skin-aging free radicals. Glutathione further promotes lighter skin by transforming dark pigments into lighter ones, contributing to a youthful and radiant complexion.
The Recommended Glutathione Dosage
For adults, the recommended daily dosage of glutathione is 500 mg when taken orally. Dividing the doses to optimize efficacy is advisable rather than taking a single large daily dose. It’s important to note that the US FDA has not approved glutathione for regular injection, as even standard injectable doses can elicit a reaction. A safe injectable dosage typically falls within 600–1200 mg weekly or twice a week[2]. However, many uncertified dermatologists recommend it in high doses via intravenous route. The frequency of administration is crucial, as after seven or eight weeks, the dosage is typically reduced to a monthly schedule.
Beyond Beauty: Understanding Glutathione Injection Side Effects
Despite its growing popularity, intravenous glutathione (IV GSH) use for skin lightening has a concerning list of reported adverse effects. These include:
-Severe skin reactions like rashes, hives, redness
-Thyroid dysfunction
-Abdominal pain
-Kidney dysfunction leading to renal failure
-Liver dysfunction
A Word of Caution!
It’s important to understand that glutathione injections should be carefully calibrated and administered by qualified dermatologists in a controlled medical environment.
Glutathione’s use for skin lightening is surrounded by debate due to questions about its effectiveness, safety concerns, regulatory issues, and differing opinions within the medical community. Existing trials examining glutathione’s role in skin lightening through various administration methods have numerous limitations. While topical and oral glutathione have good safety profiles, their long-term efficacy remains uncertain. The evidence regarding intravenous (IV) glutathione for skin tone or pigmentation improvement is minimal and contradictory, raising significant concerns about the potential adverse effects of this administration method.
In conclusion, the decision to explore glutathione for skin lightening should be carefully considered under a qualified dermatologist’s guidance.
(The article is written by Dr.Subita Alagh, Senior Executive, and reviewed by Monalisa Deka, Senior Health Content Editor)
References
1. Sonthalia S, Daulatabad D, Sarkar R. Glutathione as a skin whitening agent: Facts, myths, evidence and controversies. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2016 May-Jun;82(3):262-72. Available online from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27088927/
2. Sonthalia S, Jha AK, Lallas A, Jain G, Jakhar D. Glutathione for skin lightening: a regnant myth or evidence-based verity? Dermatol Pract Concept. 2018 Jan 31;8(1):15-21. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5808366/
3. Lazo SH. Safety on the off-label use of glutathione solution for injection (IV) Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health; Republic of the Philippines: 2011. [Accessed on February 26, 2017]. http://www.doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/Advisories_cosmetic_DOH-FDA%20Advisory%20No.%202011-004.pdf