Glutathione Injections: How Do They Work & Are They Worth it?

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Glutathione is one of the most powerful antioxidants out there and, unlike many of the other antioxidants we need, this one is actually produced by the human body. Unfortunately, as we age, glutathione levels in the body decline, with everything from sun exposure to stress speeding this degradation up. The result? When it comes to your skin – dark spots, an uneven skin tone, and premature skin aging, but you’ll also have to deal with all of the health issues that accompany a glutathione deficiency.

This is why glutathione shots have become so popular. They’re much more effective than oral glutathione capsules and topical treatment options when it comes to boosting your levels of this vital antioxidant. Want to know more? Stick with us as we share everything you need to know about glutathione injections.

What is an Intramuscular Glutathione Injection?

As mentioned, glutathione is a master antioxidant. It’s made up of three amino acids; glutamic acid, cysteine, and glycine. Many of the glutathione treatments out there focus on delivering these three individual amino acids so that your body can then put them together to create glutathione.

This is where injectable gluta stands out – each shot contains pure glutathione, enabling your body to immediately benefit from its many effects. To ensure maximum absorption, each glutathione injection is administered directly into the muscle, usually on the upper arm. The procedure only takes a couple of minutes, making it ideal for busy schedules.

middle aged woman having coffee break in a beauty clnic before getting glutathione injections

The Benefits of an Intravenous Glutathione Treatment: Here’s What the Research Says About Glutathione Injections

So, what exactly are the benefits of glutathione injections? Are they worthy enough to regularly subject yourself to a needle? In our opinion, they are…and in a big way:

Skin Whitening/ Sun Damage Treatment

If you’ve been experiencing hyperpigmentation due to UV exposure or anything else, you’ll be happy to hear that glutathione injections have moderate skin lightening effects. In fact, it’s often referred to as a wonder drug for skin lightening because of how it inhibits melanin production to even out the skin tone.

Increased Glutathione Levels Means Fewer Wrinkles

Just like all other antioxidants, glutathione fights free radicals in the body. Free radicals slowly destroy skin cells, accelerating the aging process. By putting a stop to this damage, a good glutathione therapy program will be able to keep fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin at bay.

Fewer Acne Breakouts

Young woman having an acne breakout

Studies conducted on glutathione and cystic acne show that increasing glutathione levels in the body can help to reduce breakouts [1]. This is all thanks to the antioxidant activity that glutathione displays.

Health and Body Benefits: Enhanced Immune System, Liver Support, and More

In addition to working wonders on the skin, glutathione offers other benefits for your health too. It supports the liver, enhances immune function, boosts metabolism, and protects the body from a number of diseases, including heart disease.

Before and After Effects: How Long Does it Take to See Results From Glutathione & How Long Does Glutathione Effect Last?

So, how long does glutathione take to work? Usually, about three weeks, although this depends on a few other factors too, such as how often you have an injection, as well as how healthy your general lifestyle is.

Research carried out on Fitzpatrick skin types IV and V, which basically means dark skin, showed that 90% of study participants experienced skin and health benefits from glutathione injections [2]. Skin that was uneven with multiple dark patches became clearer and brighter, with results continuing to improve over time.

Combining Glutathione and Vitamin C for the Best Absorption & Results

It’s worth noting that both iv administration and injectable glutathione usually consist of the antioxidant on their own. However, for maximum benefits, it’s best to give your body plenty of vitamin C at the same time too. Just like glutathione, vitamin C is another powerful antioxidant that’s needed for several key functions in the body. The two work synergistically together, bringing you better results, and so much faster.

These two can often be found in skin-lightening creams. Read our guide and find out what are our top picks for the best cream for skin lightening.

Pretty woman wearing white sleeves surrounded by white roses

When it comes to glutathione dosing, you probably have a few questions. Let’s start with the most common:

How Many Glutathione Injections Should I Take?

This varies. Most people need 1-3 injections a week to begin with. After a month or so, you’ll have raised your body’s glutathione levels, so you can then dial things down to a monthly injection for maintenance.

How Many Mg of Glutathione Injections Needed for Skin Whitening?

Each glutathione injection that you take will need to contain a dose of between 600-1200mg glutathione for the best skin lightening results.

RELATED: How Much Glutathione to Take for Skin Whitening

How Long Does Glutathione Stay in Your System?

Glutathione will stay in your system for a few months. So, if you decide to stop your treatments, the effects that you’ve been experiencing will soon draw to a close too.

Price/ Cost: How Much is Glutathione Therapy?

When it comes to the price of a glutathione injection, this varies depending on the clinic that you choose, as well as your location. However, on average, you can expect to pay between $200-$400 per treatment. It’s not cheap, but it’s worth noting that a glutathione injection costs less than a glutathione IV drip, although the results for both are the same.

Woman holding a white coffee cup

Glutathione Injections at Home vs at a Clinic

We often hear people ask “where’s the best clinic near me for glutathione injections?”. With our readers located all over the USA, as well as the world, we’re not able to recommend individual clinics.

However, it goes without saying that having the treatments carried out by a professional has its advantages. Everything from dosage to technique will be spot-on.

That said, if you’re feeling confident, many clinics sell at-home glutathione injection kits. If you decide to go down this route, make sure that you first consult with a physician to learn how to properly administer each injection so that you gain its full benefits.

Side Effects: Common Concerns About Glutathione Injections

There isn’t much information out there about the side effects of glutathione injections, and this is simply because side effects are very rare. Those that have been reported include cramping and bloating, or a rash at the injection site.

However, so long as the injections that you’re using contain pure glutathione, without any other filler ingredients, side effects are extremely unlikely.

If you want a more natural way to lighten your skin and make it glow, you can use an aloe vera face mask.

RELATED: Glutathione Skin Whitening Cream

FAQ:

Blonde woman wearing sweater

Q: What do glutathione injections do?

Glutathione injections do so much. They benefit the skin in multiple ways, from lightening pigmentation to reducing wrinkles to fighting acne, but they also support numerous biological functions in the body.

Q: Does glutathione injection really work?

Yes, glutathione injections really do work!

Q: Is it bad to inject glutathione?

It’s safe to inject glutathione, so long as you’re using the right dosage.

Q: Is glutathione bad for the heart?

Glutathione is great for the heart! It can prevent a number of cardiac diseases while protecting cells.

Q: Is glutathione safe for the liver and kidney?

Not only is glutathione safe for the liver and kidney, but it also supports these organs while preventing fatty liver disease.

Q: How to dilute glutathione for use on the skin?

Glutathione can be diluted with sterile water. Speak to your physician for full instructions on how to do this.

Q: Are glutathione injections better than capsules or tablets for skin glow?

When it comes to skincare benefits, as well as the health benefits offered by glutathione, injections are much more effective than capsules or tablets.

Conclusion: Are Glutathione Injections Worth it?

They may cost a little more than what you’re used to spending on your skin, but if your budget allows for them, then glutathione injections are definitely worth investing in. Not only will they transform your complexion, but they’ll do your overall health the world of good too!

References

[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21896138/
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20524875/

Avatar for Megan Foley

Megan has been a freelance writer and editor since 2016. In that time, she’s penned a diverse collection of articles for online publication, with a focus on skincare and beauty. From in-depth product reviews to concise marketing content, Megan is passionate about developing content that informs, entertains, and inspires.