Skin Brightening & Lightening IVs in Edmonton.

Our Naturopaths offer Edmonton a range of oral and IV skin treatments

Our Skin IVs are glutathione based: a strong anti-oxidant produced in the body.

Typically our clinic can dose glutathione aggressively complimented with IV Vitamin C.

Glutathione can be used for skin brightening and lightening in addition to its amazing anti-oxidant and detoxifying properties.

Glutathione Biochemistry

Glutathione is a water-soluble "thiol-tripeptide" formed by three amino acids (glutamate, cysteine and glycine). Cysteine is considered the rate limiting amino acid, therefore, our Naturopathic Doctors often supplement an acetylated cysteine (NAC) to improve Glutathione production in between IV Therapy treatments at our Edmonton Clinic.

Glutathione exists in two interconvertible forms, reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG). GSH is the predominant intracellular form, which acts as a strong antioxidant and defends against toxic compounds and xenobiotics and this is the form that our Naturopathic doctors inject.

In this process, Glutathione is constantly oxidized to GSSG (by glutathione peroxidase) and glutathione is replenished through the reduction of GSSG (by glutathione reductase) - both enzymes are selenium dependant so our Naturopaths can also give selenium orally or intravenously to our patients to maximize glutathione activity.

The role of glutathione as a skin-lightening agent was an accidental discovery which was noticed as a side effect of large doses of glutathione. The main skin lightening mechanism is thought to be inhibition of tyrosinase which shifts melanogenesis from eumelanin (darker) to phaeomelanin (lighter) synthesis.

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Glutathione Based Skin IV Therapy

Key IV Facts

Two IV bags are used: One with IV Vitamin C and another with IV Glutathione.

Medium length for intravenous administration: 40 minutes.

Key IV Ingredients
IV Vitamin C	Infused first to reduce the need for glutathione to be an anti-oxidant. Vitamin C may also exhibit its own lightening effects as well.
IV Glutathione	Master anti-oxidant used to supress eumelanin synthesis.

Glutathione Studies

The skin lightening properties of IV Glutathione Infusions is thought to be primarily related to stimulation of lighter pheomelanin pigment synthesis rather than darker eumelanin.

Two studies support the use of Glutathione based treatments for Skin Lightening and Brightening.

In a 2012 study, 60 people were given either glutathione capsules, or placebo. After 4 weeks, the melanin indices decreased consistently at all six sites in subjects who received glutathione indicating a lightening of the skin.

In a 2017 study subjects in three groups and took two forms of glutathione or placebo. After 12 weeks, in the glutathione groups, melanin index (indicating lighter skin) and skin wrinkles reduced while elasticity increased.

Skin IV Therapy

Our Skin IVs are given with high dose glutathione.

IVs are typically given 1-2x weekly for 4-6 weeks to enhance complexion.

Our Naturopaths always compliment our Skin IV treatments with oral supplements. Topical Niacinamide can be helpful as a local agent for lightening and acne and can be compounded at the request of your TruMed Naturopath.

Other nutrients related to Glutathione:

In some patients our Naturopathic Doctors add a pre-infusion consisting of key nutrients needed for Glutathione:

Riboflavin - B2 - Riboflavin is a necessary coenzyme for the activity of glutathione reductase

Pantothenic Acid - B5 - May also help support glutathione synthesis

Methylcobalamin - B12 - B12 deficiency is associated with lower Glutathione levels.

Vitamin C - Vitamin C supplementation can increase Glutathione levels

Selenium - Selenium is a known antioxidant and cofactor of glutathione peroxidase and reductase.

Oral Alpha Lipoic Acid is sometimes suggested as well to boost Glutathione levels.