Thankfully, the world is starting to move on from skincare brands that promote fair skin. But there are still a lot of people who think fair=beautiful. This phenomenon was also showcased in the second season of Zoya Akhtar’s Made In Heaven where a bride, Sarina, undergoes glutathione treatment because her in-laws think she’s too dark. Since then, some people have come out all guns blazing against glutathione while others have been rushing to their dermatologists to become “the fairest of them all”. But is glutathione the actual villain? Here’s everything to know about glutathione skin brightening treatment and how it works.

What is Glutathione?

Glutathione is a strong antioxidant that is naturally found in our body as it is produced by the liver. It is made up of three amino acids–glycine, glutamic, and cysteine acid. But factors like age affect the production levels of glutathione in the body and it keeps decreasing after a point. So, it is a great supplement to repair damaged skin cells which often leads to skin brightening and slowing down signs of ageing like wrinkles and fine lines.

Apart from just skin brightening, glutathione is a great supplement to reduce free radicals. It also helps build skin tissues, boost immunity, protect the liver against certain diseases, and act as an anti-cancer agent.

Does Glutathione actually whiten the skin?

While the purpose of glutathione is to help with hyperpigmentation caused due to various conditions, people mistake this treatment to be for skin brightening only. Yes, it does clear the skin and adds radiance and glow, but it doesn’t magically make you five shades brighter overnight. It is a time-consuming and expensive process that needs to be continued for the prescribed period to see the actual results.

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Glutathione can be taken through oral supplements or injections. A lot of dermatologists don’t recommend getting injection treatments as they only last till you continue them and also have some side effects, making the process not ideal.

What are the side effects of Glutathione injection?

Like any other treatment, these injections also have side effects. So, if you’re planning to hop on the glutathione skin whitening trend, you might want to know a little more about its side effects before taking the leap. Here are some of the most common side effects of these injections:

• Nausea
• Skin rashes or allergic reactions
• Chest pain
• Skin inflammation and redness
• Diarrhea
• Asthma
• Premature greying
• Eye disorders
• Toxic effects on the liver and kidney
• Unhealthy weight gain

While consuming glutathione through oral supplements is cost-effective and relatively safer, it is strongly advised to seek a medical professional’s opinion before taking pills or injections of any kind.

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