PEER-REVIEW | DERMATOLOGY |
Key points Scientific evidence
proves that Vit C and GSH remove ROS, repair skin connective tissue, and inhibit skin darkening, thereby making the skin more hydrated, fairer, and more radiant
This is the first study to
report on the skin hydrating and whitening effects of intravenous Vit C and GSH injections
This study involved 283 patients who were given six Vit C and GSH injections in six different visits, one week apart
The result shows that most patients perceived noticeable skin enhancement and whitening after six Vit C and GSH injections and most patients are satisfied with the results
Figure 2 Results of the study. (A) before first injection and (B) after sixth injection Thomas LD et al also
mentioned in the study that their result cannot be extrapolated to women, because men intrinsically have a higher chance of experiencing kidney stones. To address the patients’
Most patients perceived a
certain degree of skin hydration and whitening after six Vit C and GSH intravenous injections and most patients were satisfied with the results.
concern, the author highlighted that the Thomas LD et al study is based on oral Vit C supplementation (1000 mg per tab) taken consistently, over a long period of time (>10 years) and the study cannot be extrapolated to women. In this article, the whitening injection treatment protocol involves intravenous Vit C (2000 mg) and GSH (600 mg) injection given only once a week, over a period of 6 weeks. The absolute amount of vitamin C taken and the duration of the whitening injection treatment protocol totally differs from the Thomas et al study cohort.
Conclusion Most patients (n=270, 95.4%) perceived a certain degree of skin hydration and whitening after six Vit C and GSH
References
1. El-Domyati M, Attia S, Saleh F et al. Intrinsic aging vs photoaging: a comparative histopathological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural study of skin. Exp Dermatol 2002; 11(5): 398–405
2. Gilchrest BA. A review of skin ageing and its medical therapy. Br J Dermatol 1996; 135(6): 867–875
3. Farris PK. Cosmetical Vitamins: Vitamin C. In: Draelos ZD, Dover JS, Alam M, editors Cosmeceuticals. Procedures in Cosmetic Dermatology. 2nd ed. New York: Saunders Elsevier; 2009 pp 51–6
4. Traikovich SS. Use of Topical Ascorbic acid and its effects on Photo damaged skin topography. Arch Otorhinol Head Neck Surg 1999; 125: 1091–8
5. Masaki H. Role of antioxidants in the skin: 28 anti-aging effects. J Dermatol Sci 2010; 58(2): 85–90
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2008; 56: 292–7
13. Rees DC, Kelsey H, Richards JD. Acute haemolysis induced by high dose ascorbic acid in glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. British Medical Journal 1993; 306 (6881): 841–2
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15. Institute of Medicine. Dietary reference intakes for vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and carotenoids. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 2000
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intravenous injections and most patients (mean score 4.99 out of 7) were satisfied with the results, without experiencing any serious adverse event. More studies could be
conducted to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous Vit C and GSH injections, especially
on the areas of skin whitening, post-operation wound healing, repair of second and third degree burns, and repair of photo-aged skin.
Declaration of interest No funding obtained from any
source . The patients recruited into the study are self paying patients. The author does not have exclusive rights to administer Vit C and GSH injections
Figures 1-2 © Keith Ong
October 2015 |
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