The current beauty standard is fair skin, which has led many teenagers to flock to get glutathione injections for skin whitening. Glutathione products are widely available, but what many young people may not know is that the Ministry of Public Health has issued a warning about the dangers of using glutathione. If injected into the body in high concentrations, it poses risks of shock, low blood pressure, severe allergic reactions, and even death.
It has been confirmed that glutathione is not yet registered as an official medication in Thailand. Anyone found illegally selling or distributing it is violating the Drug Act and may face penalties of up to 5 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to 10,000 baht. Additionally, selling unregistered drugs carries a penalty of up to 3 years imprisonment, a fine of up to 5,000 baht, or both.
Due to the fact that glutathione is unstable in the bloodstream and breaks down easily and quickly, when injected intravenously with the aim of skin whitening, it is often combined with vitamin C by doctors. However, if injected in high concentrations and done twice a week, not only is it very costly, but more importantly, high-concentration injections can cause shock, low blood pressure, severe allergic reactions, muscle tremors, hallucinations, breathing difficulties, and bronchial constriction — all of which can be life-threatening.
Additionally, those who receive skin-whitening injections regularly over a long period may experience a reduction in retinal pigmentation, resulting in lower light sensitivity and an increased risk of vision problems in the future. According to medical journals in the United States, glutathione is considered a substance that may cause adverse effects on eyesight.
However, our skin already has its own natural beauty. There’s no need to follow trends of having fair skin. Some people have tan or honey-colored skin, which is beautiful and healthy in its own way. For those who wish to have brighter skin, there are better alternatives. These include taking care of the body from the inside, eating nutritious foods such as fruits rich in vitamin C, taking vitamins and supplements, as well as exfoliating the skin with tamarind scrubs. All of these methods can help the skin appear more radiant and glowing, without the risks associated with glutathione injections.
