Thankfully, the beauty world is slowly moving away from the obsession with fair skin. But despite the progress, the belief that “fair equals beautiful” still lingers in many corners of society. In this context, one treatment that’s been making waves both controversially and curiously is glutathione. While some see it as a miracle solution for glowing skin, others are calling it out for feeding into outdated beauty standards. So, is glutathione a hero when it comes to skin lightening treatment, or just another hype-fuelled trend? Here’s everything you need to know before hopping onto the bandwagon.

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 acid, and cysteine. 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 lighten the skin?

While the purpose of glutathione is to help with hyperpigmentation caused by various conditions, people mistake this treatment for skin lightening only. Yes, it does clear the skin and add 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.

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 kidneys
• Unhealthy weight gain

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

Featured Image Source

Related: AAE Recommends: Monsoon Hair And Skincare Products That Need To Be Added To Cart