On her wedding day, she opted for a glutathione glow the right way: A bride’s journey beyond skin-lightening

Jaya’s decision to consult a dermatologist was the first right step as young girls in an appearance-conscious world are willing to rush to beauty clinics, which are nothing but glorified salons doing procedures without trained personnel. Dr Deepak Jakhar, co-founder and consultant dermatologist, Dermosphere Clinic, in Dwarka, began with counselling sessions to make sure that Jaya had sought the treatment for the right reason. Then he apprised her of side effects and suggested a graded approach to prevent them. “I opted for the procedure only when I was convinced about its safety. Initially, the doctor had given me a chewable glutathione tablet but as I was intolerant to its taste, he prescribed an injectable course in small doses. After three sessions, there have been no side effects so far and my freckles have almost cleared out. I will stop the day my skin clears out,” says Jaya.

Jaya (Express photo by Gajendra Yadav)

Dr Deepak says that glutathione has been overhyped way more than its results. “It is a powerful antioxidant and is made up of three amino acids, namely cysteine, glycine and glutamate. It helps in cellular and muscle repair. Now because it is an antioxidant, it manages to suppress the levels of melanin that decide skin pigmentation. Hence its popularity in skin creams, serums and lotions, all meant for safe topical application. Taking glutathione by IV injection seems to prevent nerve damage and other toxicities from cancer drugs. However, there is no scientific data to say whether injections help in permanent skin lightening. In fact, no dermatologist would advise injections except on a case-specific basis. And though a minimally invasive procedure, we need to know about basic health parameters and allergies,” he explains. As a natural detoxifier, glutathione improves the health of the body’s cells and reverses ageing. It protects the skin against oxidative damage and can, therefore, fight acne, wrinkles, crow’s feet, age spots and dark under eyes.

But unaware patients come to him with unrealistic expectations. “They give examples of actor Kajol’s skin tone in the 90s and now. Many show pictures of influencers. Also many do not know that the human body produces its own glutathione. Unlike most antioxidants, which come from plant sources, the human body naturally produces glutathione in the liver. However, a poor diet, pollution, toxins, medications, stress, trauma, ageing, infections and radiation may reduce its levels. But you can restore what you have lost through dietary interventions like having sulphur-rich foods, proteins, dairy and by taking up physical exercise. Yet people want to fast-track results and spend Rs 4,000 per session. And this is a multiple-stage treatment. The oral ones aren’t cheap either,” says Dr Deepak.

His protocol involves four sessions after which he evaluates if they are working or not. “We intervene if the patient complains of itching or rashes. Injectable glutathione was once used for liver abnormalities and autism, a technique that has now been appropriated by beauty clinics without any regulation. So an overdose by this method can cause severe rashes, hives, chills, painful blisters and lesions on the skin and mucous membranes. Glutathione injections need to be calibrated and administered as per body weight. Besides, they need to be done in a proper medical set-up by qualified dermatologists. That’s why I prefer oral formulations to injectables. But with young people buying tablets online without consulting doctors, they still run the risk of overdosing themselves,” says Dr Deepak.

Jaya (Express photo by Gajendra Yadav)

The recommended daily dose of glutathione for adults ranges from 500-2,000 mg per day when taken orally, or 10-20 mg/kg body weight when administered intravenously. To maximise its effects, it is best to split up doses rather than take a single large dose each day. Glutathione is not approved by the US FDA for administration as a regular injection. Still, it is the most “popular” and controversial route of administering glutathione for skin lightening.

Even a regular dose as an injectable can trigger a reaction. But a safe dosage for an injectable would be 1,200 to 2,400 mg a week. “While there is no study to indicate an upper limit, once a week is safe and our kidneys are able to cope with it,” says Dr D M Mahajan, HOD, Dermatology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals. The frequency is important because, after seven or eight weeks, the dosage needs to be administered once a month. When you go out of the rulebook, the side effects can be more than just hives. “I have seen overdoses resulting in sudden shocks, renal shutdowns and BP fluctuations. Most youngsters are driven by a celebrity-driven culture to such an extent that they refuse to listen and take the risk,” he says.

For months, Jaya lived under the same peer pressure. However, the counselling at the clinic changed her. “Everybody wants to look radiant, nothing wrong there. But changing skin colour is not a sign of self-confidence,” she says as she focuses on eating clean and doing cardio.