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| Snow White - The Iconic White Skinned Fairytale Princess |
In all Asian countries including India, a light skin tone is
often equated with beautiful skin. I personally believe that a healthy, clear,
even toned skin is truly beautiful. For me and several others the colour of the
skin does not matter. But wanting to have a light skin, I feel is a personal
choice that requires due respect.
The skin lightening or whitening trend is maximally
prevalent in the South East Asian countries. In Japan, the rituals of the
Geishas have been a long guarded secret and ‘Bihaku’ or ‘white’ skin is regarded
as most beautiful. Philippines is the world’s largest consumer of Glutathione supplements
for skin whitening and the trend is now spreading to the USA with likes of Beyonce and Rihanna
being in the paparazzi for their alleged skin whitening.
What is Glutathione?
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| Did Beyonce whiten her skin? |
Glutathione or GSH is a compound consisting of 3 amino acids
(simple proteins) that is constantly required by the body. It is synthesized by
all the cells in the body, including the skin. Common food sources are
asparagus, watermelon, avocado, fresh vegetables, etc.
What does Glutathione do?
Glutathione is the master antioxidant of the body. It is
responsible for the detoxification process, recycling and optimum usage of other
antioxidants such as vitamin A,C and E. It works in maintaining each cell in
optimum health.
What is Glutathione used for?
Glutathione pills and injections are most commonly used in Alzehmier’s
disease, Parkinson’s disease, Autism, various poisonings, cancer, HIV,
allergies, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, hepatitis, liver dysfunction and several
other such conditions. In the South East Asian countries however, Glutathione injections and
tablets are more popular for their skin whitening effect.
How does Glutathione skin whitening work?
- Glutathione when taken orally or via injections has a skin lightening and detoxifying effect.
- Glutathione inhibits the action of an enzyme called tyrosinase in the skin.
- This enzyme is responsible for production of melanin; a pigment that gives the skin its characteristic colour; more the melanin content and dispersion in the skin, darker will be the skin tone.
- Less tyrosinase activity means reduced melanin synthesis and a lighter skin tone
The time required for visible skin lightening depends on several factors. Some of them are:
- overall health and immunity of the patient
- general lifestyle, smoking and alcohol consumption levels
- pre-existing liver and other compromised states
- genetic colour of the skin
- mode of treatment pills vs. IV injections
- the final skin colour desired
Is
there a difference between tablet and injection treatment?
Injections
are used for the initial skin lightening purpose. This takes about 1-2 months. Once
the desired results are achieved then tablets are used for maintenance. In my
clinical practice I have observed that lightening the skin with tablets alone is
extremely difficult and gives poor results.
Is skin lightening with glutathione a new treatment?
Glutathione skin whitening treatment is extremely popular in
Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore where it has been
present since a very long time. In these countries this procedure is available in most Dermatology clinics. Till recently this procedure was a well guarded
secret of the porcelain white Japanese and Asian skin. It was unknown and
unavailable to the rest of the world including India.
How safe is this treatment?
Glutathione treatment is absolutely safe and effective if done by a
Dermatologist who is well versed with the treatment protocol.
Few words of caution!
- Always have your skin lightening treatment done from a Dermatologist who is well versed with the treatment procedure/ protocol.
- Trust only that glutathione which is dispensed by a Dermatologist who is already providing the treatment.
- With the increase in demand in India, fake Glutathione is being rampantly advertised and sold.
- Buying from agents is a strict no-no.
- Most of the glutathione that is freely available is of poor quality or concentration and is essentially a waste of precious time and money.
My advice to all those seeking to lighten their skin is, please do not self medicate. Simply consuming
glutathione and other such supplements or applying cosmetic fairness creams is not going to lead to skin whitening.
The actual treatment is much more complex than that. If you are interested in a treatment that actually works, start saving your money because skin whitening treatments do not come cheap!
Keep looking beautiful
XOXO
Dr Niketa
Skin lightening treatment - Glutathione injections - Skin Whitening
Dr Niketa - Dermatologist - Skin and Hair Specialist - New Delhi
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Dr Niketa - Dermatologist - Skin and Hair Specialist - New Delhi
