Glutathione can affect skin pigmentation by directly or indirectly inhibiting tyrosinase activity during melanogenesis. Direct inactivation occurs by binding to the active site of copper-containing enzymes, while indirect inactivation removes free radicals and peroxides in an antioxidant manner. During melanogenesis, glutathione converts eumelanin to pheomelanin and modulates the depigmentation of melanocytostatics [6]. Yes, glutathione is a natural substance produced in our liver and found in certain foods and supplements. Some foods that can increase your glutathione levels include avocado, asparagus, spinach, kale, and broccoli. Supplements such as whey protein and foods rich in vitamins B6, B9 and B12. However, consuming glutathione through your diet may not provide you with adequate amounts, depending on your age, diet, and pre-existing medical conditions. But the lack of certainty about the safety of the treatment does not worry all patients. “There are side effects for everything,” Peters said. And since she hasn`t experimented with any of her five glutathione treatments so far, she sees no reason to stop. Although the overall safety of intravenous GSH extrapolated from studies evaluating its use in male infertility and liver disease appears convincing [18,19], several adverse reactions of intravenous GSH have been documented in the Philippines (Figure 2), detailed in the position paper of the FDA, Department of Health, Republic of the Philippines [5] with a public warning on the safety of off-label use of Glutathione Injectable Solution for Injection (Figure 3). Reported adverse reactions include adverse rashes including life-threatening Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), severe abdominal pain, thyroid dysfunction, renal dysfunction and life-threatening complications such as gas embolism or life-threatening sepsis due to incorrect/non-sterile IV administration method and use of fake GSH [5,9].
Apart from the lack of evidence of GSH IV for thinning the skin, the extremely high cost of injectable vials is another convincing deterrent to their use. The important limitations of GSH IV have been listed in Figure 4. Some users have noticed that glutathione supplements increase their stamina and give them a boost for overall health because it detoxifies the body and boosts the immune system. Glutathione is known for its benefits for the skin, especially for those who age and notice that their skin is not what it used to be. Glutathione injections can rejuvenate a person`s complexion, reduce wrinkles and increase elasticity. It has other anti-aging effects for users; Glutathione can improve their complexion, lighten or even lighten the skin, and make people radiant and feel renewed (Weschawalit et al., 2017). Typically, glutathione purchased in vials costs around $8.30/ml for the solution for injection, although this again depends on where you buy it. If you`re considering self-administering a glutathione injection, this is a viable solution that might be more cost-effective for a long-term plan. However, you should learn the best injection methods from a doctor before attempting to inject a glutathione solution into yourself. The FDA contacted the manufacturer of L-glutathione, who confirmed that its L-glutathione is marketed in the United States only for use in dietary supplements and that the ingredient is not intended for use in sterile drugs. The manufacturer`s original invoice for L-glutathione included a statement that the product was intended only for use as a dietary supplement or dietary ingredient and was not intended for pharmaceutical use. However, the manufacturer`s certificate of authenticity that Letco received did not contain a similar statement.
Many doctors who offer skin lightening treatments believe that there is nothing wrong with using glutathione and even claim that it is good for your health. However, Lock disagrees. At the time of writing, there were only four published studies evaluating the efficacy of oral, topical, and parenteral glutathione as skin lightening agents (Table 1) [10–13]. The two oral GSH studies conducted in the Thai population of Arjinpathana and Asawanonda, and in Filipino women by Handog et al. involved the administration of 500 mg/day of GSH in two divided doses to the study population, the difference being the use of an oral lozenge (instead of oral capsules) in the latter study to improve systemic glutathione absorption [10, 11]. The main measure of effectiveness in both studies was the assessment of melanin indices before and after treatment. In both studies, a Mexameter MX 18 (Courage+Khazaka electronic GmbH, Cologne, Germany) was used to assess the primary efficacy endpoint. The randomized, double-blind, two-arm, placebo-controlled study conducted by Arjinpathana and Asawanonda with 60 healthy medical students showed a consistent reduction in melanin indices in the six sites studied in the GSH group, with a statistically significant reduction compared to placebo at two sites [10]. The open-minded single-arm pilot study by Handog et al. In 30 healthy Filipino women (aged 22 to 42 years) with Fitzpatrick type IV or V skin who used oral lozenges instead of GSH capsules, they reported significant reductions in melanin index in sun-exposed and sun-protected areas and moderate skin whitening observed by 90% of global assessment subjects [11]. GSH tolerance was excellent in both studies. The randomized, double-blind, single-placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted by Watanabe et al., conducted on 30 healthy Filipino women aged 30 to 50 years, provided blank evidence of the effectiveness of GSSG 2% topical lotion (applied twice daily for 10 weeks) in producing temporary skin whitening [12].
The results of this protocol-based study showed a statistically significant reduction in cutaneous melanin index with glutathione compared to placebo, with no adverse drug effects. However, the results of these studies should be interpreted with caution due to certain limitations in their study design. Lakeyshya Brown, a nurse who performs glutathione treatments at Lavish Laser, said that in other countries, glutathione solutions could be mixed with other substances that could cause unintended side effects. It can also be provided by cosmetologists who are not trained in IVs and injections, increasing the risk that a patient could be infected or injected with air, leading to a life-threatening embolism.