Doctor V - Is Glutathione safe? | Skin Of Colour | Brown Or Black Skin

Introduction

Hello, I'm Dr. Miesha Ratan, and this channel is dedicated to skincare for skin of color. As both a doctor and a cosmetic formulator, my focus is specifically on our skin's unique needs. People of color have larger and easily triggered melanocytes, meaning our skin can hyperpigment quickly with just one scratch, bite, or burn. This necessitates more careful management of our skin.

In today's video, we'll discuss glutathione—its safety concerning pigmentation treatments and the prevalent skin-lightening claims associated with it. With a lot of aggressive marketing around glutathione, it’s crucial to understand the clinical studies and be empowered to make informed choices.

What is Glutathione?

Glutathione is widely considered a “magic bullet” for treating pigmentation and skin lightening. There are three common methods to take glutathione:

1. Intravenously (IV) - Approved only for liver disorders or neurotoxicity due to chemotherapy.
2. Orally - Taken by mouth.
3. Topically - Used in creams.

One significant concern is that the glutathione market is unregulated, leading to varying quality and safety. Most clinical data on glutathione is minimal, particularly concerning IV administration, with only one flawed study available.

Alternatives for Hyperpigmentation Treatment

For localized hyperpigmentation, it’s often more effective to use tyrosinase inhibitors, such as:

• Alpha-arbutin (2% from The Ordinary)
• Retinol combined with tranexamic acid (like Hiram’s product)

Or utilizing a facial pigmentation kit that encompasses multiple tyrosinase inhibitors for targeted treatments.

For systemic skin lightening, there are other options like tranexamic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin E. However, there’s insufficient data supporting the effectiveness of oral glutathione for skin lightening.

Glutathione's Properties

While glutathione is a potent antioxidant with potential tyrosinase inhibitory effects, the available studies on its efficacy as a skin whitening agent are limited in scope, involved small sample sizes, and had little to no follow-up. It’s crucial to consider how results may differ over time.

The Risks of IV Glutathione

Due to a lack of regulation and varying dosing across clinics, IV glutathione carries risks of adverse reactions like liver dysfunction, thyroid issues, or sepsis. Therefore, I recommend caution with IV administration. If anyone chooses this route, it’s imperative to verify the source and ensure it’s a sterile environment.

On balance, I would suggest topical or oral glutathione as safer alternatives for those considering the treatment. Until further evidence emerges regarding IV glutathione, I advise against its use.

A Personal Note

Although I have my journey regarding skin tone preferences, I firmly believe in promoting safety above all. This channel is about providing evidence-based information rather than personal biases regarding skin lightening.

Discussing these potentially dangerous topics is essential to preventing harm, and ensuring safety is paramount.

I'm available in the comments section for one hour following each video launch. Don’t forget to download your free guide for skin of color below. Follow me on Instagram at @thehighpresentationclinic and on TikTok at @drmiesharatan. Thank you for joining me today!

Keywords

• Glutathione
• Skin Lightening
• Hyperpigmentation
• Tyrosinase Inhibitors
• Oral Administration
• IV Administration
• Antioxidant
• Melanocytes
• Skin of Color

FAQ

1. What are the forms of glutathione available?

• Glutathione can be administered intravenously, orally, or topically.

2. Is IV glutathione safe?

• IV glutathione carries risks due to lack of regulation and potential for adverse reactions. It’s advised to consult a qualified clinician before consideration.

3. What alternatives are there for treating hyperpigmentation?

• Alternatives include using tyrosinase inhibitors like alpha-arbutin, retinol, and tranexamic acid.

4. Does glutathione actually lighten skin?

• While glutathione may have some effect on reducing pigmentation, the existing clinical data is limited and inconclusive.

5. What should I prioritize if considering glutathione for skin treatment?

• Safety and verification of the source are paramount, especially for IV administration. Topical or oral options may be safer alternatives.