Are glutathione IV drips for skin lightening safe? (2024)

The skin lightening market is worth an estimated R130 billion, and despite the many health risks associated with the practice, this number is expected to reach approximately R300 billion by the year 2020, according to a 2009 Global Industry Analysts report.

South Africa is one of three countries on the African continent that regulates the use of skin bleaching products, having banned harmful ingredients including mercury, hydroquinine and corticosteroids, and discriminatory cosmetic advertisem*nts that claim to “bleach”, lighten or “whiten” skin. Yet even with these measures in place, skin lightening is still widely practiced in the country.

A study published in the British Journal of Dermatology surveyed women in Durban and found that 33% used skin lightening products, suggesting that many are willing to risk serious side effects such as discolouration and skin infections in order to become a few shades lighter.

Recently, due to glowing reviewsfrom local celebrities like Khanyi Mbau and Nomasonto “Mshoza” Maswanganyi, glutathione intravenous (IV) drips are increasingly being hailed as an effective skin lightening method. But there is significant concern among medical experts and scientists on the safety of this method offered by local beauty clinics.

How do glutathione IV treatments work?

Glutathione is a very powerful antioxidant present in all cells of the body and occuring naturally in many foods – it’s an immune system booster and detoxifier. Some studies have shown that glutathione may have the potential to fight almost any disease, particularly those associated with aging. However, scientists point out that there is a lack of evidence linking gluthathione supplementation to positive changes in health outcomes.

A few small studies have suggested that it may also have the potential of lightening skin tone due to its reported ability of preventing skin cells from producing melanin, the pigment responsible for darker complexions. This is why the beauty industry is now cashing in on this antioxidant and has offered it in many forms including in tablet form and lately as an IV infusion.

Some local beauty clinics are charging a steep R1000 per glutathione IV session and administering an infusion of glutathione and other vitamins and minerals straight into a customer’s bloodstream via an IV drip. These clinics recommend that customers have weekly sessions until they reach their desired skin tone, after which monthly treatments are required to maintain the results.

Glutathoine IV drips could damage your health

Unfortunately, it is this suggested prolonged treatment that concerns health professionals. "The vast majority of women – and men – shouldn’t be encouraged to have glutathione IV treatments, as the consequences of long-term use hasn’t been discovered yet,” explains Professor Lester Davids, a molecular cell biologist at the University of Cape Town.

According to a recent paper authored by Professor Davids and published in the South African Medical Journal, IV glutathione treatments have so far only been deemed safe when administered for a few weeks at the most, with further studies needed to determine the safety of long-term use.

Professor Davids reports that some of the possible adverse side effects of long-term use include a higher risk of UV damage and skin cancer due to lower melanin levels. “There’s also the potential for serious complications such as septicaemia, infective endocarditis, and blood infections as a result of the treatments being given by those without health qualifications,” says Professor Davids.

Back in 2015, the United States Federal Drug Authority (FDA) announced that it hadn’t approved any injectable skin lightening treatments, warning that they could be unsafe and contain harmful substances.

With this in mind, those eager to sign up for glutathione IV treatments should hold off on the decision, at least until their safety has been established. And rather than focusing on complexion, Professor Davids advises that attention shifts to the overall condition of one’s skin. "Lighter skin is not necessarily good skin – healthy skin is good skin,” he cautions.

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Are glutathione IV drips for skin lightening safe? (1)

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Are glutathione IV drips for skin lightening safe? (2024)

FAQs

Is glutathione whitening drip safe? ›

“Glutathione is an amino acid antioxidant, which helps not only in skin whitening, but also in treating liver toxicity. It neutralizes the free radicals in the body. However, these injections are not safe when taken without an expert doctor's supervision.

What are the bad effects of glutathione IV drip? ›

Side effects of glutathione injections
  • Skin rashes.
  • Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a rare but serious disorder that affects mucous membranes.
  • Toxic epidermal necrolysis, a life-threatening condition where skin blisters and peels.
  • Thyroid dysfunction.
  • Kidney dysfunction.
Aug 16, 2022

Is skin whitening drip safe? ›

Consumers should be cautious with skin lightening or whitening products (including whitening cosmetics and skin whitening injections). These products have a high chance of containing ingredients that are not safe for the body and may not have the desired effect.

What is the risk of gluta drip? ›

"Gastritis or gastric discomfort is the most common glutathione IV reaction. "Other side effects were headache and dizziness, elevation of thyroid hormones, palpable thyroid nodule, increased blood sugar, body malaise or flu-like symptoms, chest heaviness., and severe skin reactions.

What are the disadvantages of glutathione? ›

Side effects.

Taking glutathione long-term has been linked to lower zinc levels. Inhaled glutathione may trigger asthma attacks in people who have asthma. Symptoms may include wheezing.

What are the long term side effects of IV glutathione? ›

There typically aren't any serious side effects from a dose of glutathione IV. It is widely known to be safe for adults. The only minor side effects have been cramping and bloating, as well as lower zinc levels in people who used glutathione if used over long periods of time.

Who shouldn t take glutathione? ›

GLUTATHIONE TABLETS shouldn't be taken by people taking anti-psychotic drug and chemotherapeutic drug. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages; the presence of alcohol in the stomach is one reason for your body to not fully absorb the whitening pill.

What to avoid when taking glutathione IV? ›

Patients who are breastfeeding, and those with hypersensitivity reaction would be contraindicated with Glutathione. In addition, patients with severe liver, kidney problem, uncontrolled diabetes and thyroid problem would be contraindicated as well.

How often should I get IV glutathione? ›

How often should you do glutathione IV therapy? For optimal results, you should have glutathione infusions 1 to 3 times per week. During your initial consultation with our medical professionals, you will discuss the total duration of your skin brightening treatment.

How much does IV glutathione skin lightening cost? ›

Glutathione IV Therapy Cost

Usually, glutathione injections range between $200-$400 per treatment session.

How long does it take glutathione IV to lighten skin? ›

It usually takes at least three weeks before you can start seeing the benefits of glutathione. However, how quickly you see the benefits and improvements in your skin will depend on how consistently you follow up with your treatments, your general health, and your metabolism.

Is Gluta drip safe for kidneys? ›

Side effects on the use of injectable glutathione for skin lightening include toxic effects on the liver, kidneys, and nervous system.

Is IV glutathione FDA approved? ›

The use of glutathione IV as a skin whitener is not approved by the FDA.

Is it safe to inject glutathione? ›

Glutathione injection therapy is safe and effective when your healthcare provider administers it in order to treat the following conditions: Liver disease. Parkinson's disease. Anemia.

What happens to your body when you start taking glutathione? ›

Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that may help protect the body from disease, slow cancer progression, and improve insulin sensitivity, among other benefits. Some people swear by its anti-aging properties, while others say that it can treat autism, increase fat metabolism, and even prevent cancer.

Is glutathione hard on your kidneys? ›

Glutathione is safe to take as a supplement and through food. It does not cause damage to the kidneys if taken in recommended amounts.

How much glutathione to take for skin whitening? ›

The recommended dose by the manufacturers of IV glutathione is 600 to 1200 mg weekly or twice weekly.

How long can you safely take glutathione? ›

When taken by mouth: Glutathione is possibly safe when used in doses up to 500 mg daily for up to 2 months.

Can glutathione cause heart problems? ›

For example, some glutathione S-transferase (GST) polymorphisms increase risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in cardiac surgery. Additionally, decreased glutathione peroxidase (GPx-1) activity has been found to increase the risks of stroke and coronary heart disease.

Do doctors recommend glutathione? ›

As of yet, there is no good study of the use of glutathione in healthy people. Some nutritionists recommend increasing the intake of the amino acids cysteine and glutamate, which make glutathione, but this hasn't been studied either.

How does glutathione affect the brain? ›

Impairment of glutathione function in the brain is linked to loss of neurons during the aging process or as the result of neurological diseases such as Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease.

How many sessions does Gluta drip to see results? ›

After the initial sessions, one session every month is still needed to maintain results. Typically one round of 10–12 sessions can lighten and even the skin from 1 to 3 shades lighter.

When is the best time to take glutathione for skin whitening? ›

A Glutathione efficacy in skin lightening works only if it is taken with Vitamin C at least equal or twice its dosage. Standard dosage is 20-40 mg/kg of body weight for 3-6 months once or twice in a day and best if taken at night 2-3 hours after last meal for better absorption.

Is glutathione IV drip permanent? ›

Treatment with glutathione is not permanent and we will give you a maintenance programme designed for your needs. To maintain the results, you must avoid excessive sun exposure and we recommend you avoid smoking, a poor diet and misuse of alcohol.

Which is better glutathione IV or injection? ›

However, injection form of glutathione is more effective. This is because the substance is injected directly into the muscle. This method helps bypass the digestive system and allows you to get the benefits of glutathione much more quickly and in higher concentrations.

How many shades does glutathione lighten? ›

Now that your body is a glutathione “factory”, you can reap the benefits of skin lightening (in some cases up to 3-4 shades lighter). It'll also be effective against freckles, age spots, acne scars, and blemishes.

Can glutathione cause weight gain? ›

Glutathione Benefits

Glutathione helps with weight loss because it helps your body shift from fat production to muscle development. It also helps your body burn off fat cells, and it helps your liver remove toxins both of which lead to losing weight.

How much does glutathione IV cost in USA? ›

How Much Does Glutathione IV Therapy Cost? Depending on the dosage, pricing can range from $130-160 per treatment. Packages can range from $750-1250 for a 6-8 week treatment schedule.

Can you mix glutathione and Vitamin C in IV? ›

Intravenous (IV) therapy is performed by inserting a needle directly into the bloodstream for your body to absorb the treatment. Glutathione is most often paired with Vitamin C to boost natural production.

Are glutathione injection results permanent? ›

If you have achieved the desired results, you can stop the glutathione injection treatment. The results from the injection are usually semi-permanent. As a result, you might have to periodically undergo this treatment to reverse aging.

What brand of glutathione is FDA approved? ›

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) informs the public that the food supplement NUWHITE PREMIUM Glutathione, Collagen & Vitamin E Food Supplement Capsule has been registered by the Market Authorization Holder, OXINA NUTRICOSMETICS CO., in accordance to existing FDA rules and regulations.

Is glutathione injection legal in USA? ›

The FDA has not approved any injectable drugs for skin whitening or lightening. “These products pose a potentially significant safety risk to consumers.

Is glutathione IV covered by insurance? ›

It is not covered by insurance and is considered an alternative therapy. It is administered by a registered nurse, usually similar to the glutathione injections.

Is glutathione legal in USA? ›

Injectable glutathione is only approved by the FDA as an adjunct treatment in cisplatin chemotherapy. Cisplatin is a chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of testicular, ovarian and other types of cancers.

How long does glutathione drip take to whiten skin? ›

It usually takes at least three weeks before you can start seeing the benefits of glutathione. However, how quickly you see the benefits and improvements in your skin will depend on how consistently you follow up with your treatments, your general health, and your metabolism.

What to avoid when taking glutathione drip? ›

GLUTATHIONE TABLETS shouldn't be taken by people taking anti-psychotic drug and chemotherapeutic drug. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages; the presence of alcohol in the stomach is one reason for your body to not fully absorb the whitening pill.

How long does glutathione IV take to whiten skin? ›

Typically, it takes 1-3 months for people with light-medium brown skin to see some lightning effects of glutathione. For people with dark brown skin, glutathione takes 3-6 months to lighten the skin. However, people with very dark skin may see the lightning effect of glutathione in 6-12 months.

How often should I get glutathione IV for skin whitening? ›

For optimal results, you should have glutathione infusions 1 to 3 times per week. During your initial consultation with our medical professionals, you will discuss the total duration of your skin brightening treatment. We usually recommend 6 to 12 months of weekly glutathione IV drips, depending on your goals.

Is Gluta Drip FDA approved? ›

The Phlippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved oral glutathione products as nutritional supplements only. Injectable (intravenous/ “drips”) glutathione has only been approved as a drug to protect cancer patients from nerve side-effects of platinum-based chemotherapy.

Does glutathione affect kidney or liver? ›

Downregulation of Glutathione Biosynthesis Contributes to Oxidative Stress and Liver Dysfunction in Acute Kidney Injury.

How much does glutathione cost for skin whitening IV? ›

The glutathione injection treatment cost is 6,000 to 9,000 INR per session depending on the dose of glutathione injected(varies from 3000mg-4200mg), and adjuvant like N acetyl cysteine (antioxidant booster), and vitamin C.

How many shades lighter with glutathione? ›

Now that your body is a glutathione “factory”, you can reap the benefits of skin lightening (in some cases up to 3-4 shades lighter). It'll also be effective against freckles, age spots, acne scars, and blemishes.

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