What's The Real Price Of Fairness In India? Glutathione Treatments Are Booming, But At What Cost?

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In the wake of actor-model Shefali Jariwala's tragic and untimely death, a deeper, uncomfortable truth is resurfacing: India's relentless obsession with beauty, youth, and above all, fairness.

While many questions about her passing remain unanswered, one disturbing detail stands out: her long-term, unsupervised use of anti-ageing and skin-whitening substances, particularly glutathione and Vitamin C.

Photo Credit: Shefali Jariwala/ Instagram

At just 42, Shefali had reportedly been self-medicating with these substances for nearly eight years. Police investigating the case found an alarming number of anti-ageing pills, multivitamins, and glutathione vials inside her bedroom-stacked on the table, tucked in drawers, and even stored in her fridge.

What began as a desire for glow and youth had quietly become an expensive and potentially dangerous routine.

India's Obsession With Fairness: What Is Glutathione?

Fairness, in India, has long been marketed as a beauty standard, and now, it's a booming business. Whether through creams, serums, facials, or injectables, people across the country are spending serious money to "glow up." But the hottest-and most controversial-trend in this space? Glutathione.

Glutathione, often dubbed the "master antioxidant," has become a buzzword in India's growing aesthetic and dermatology scene. Marketed as a miracle for skin lightening, pigmentation control, and even anti-ageing, it is often used alongside Vitamin C to enhance its effects.

You'll find it in all forms-tablets, creams, injectables, and even intravenous (IV) drips administered in high-end clinics or, alarmingly, beauty salons. The glutathione market in India is booming. Valued at USD 324.6 million in 2025, it's projected to cross USD 585 million by 2032. But while it promises brighter, more even-toned skin, the science behind these results remains far from conclusive.

It's sold as a miracle solution. Take a few pills or get an IV drip, and your skin tone lightens over time. But how much does it really cost? And is the fairness it promises truly safe, or even necessary?

Price Check: Glutathione Treatments In India

The cost of glutathione varies widely depending on the form you choose.

a. Capsules or Tablets

These are often the cheapest options. Brands like Glutone, Gluta-C, or iGlow offer supplements starting at ₹2,000-₹4,000 per month. These are often taken with Vitamin C to boost absorption. However, dermatologists warn that oral supplements take longer to show any visible result and may have minimal effect on melanin production.

b. Creams and Topical Products

These are priced between ₹500- ₹3,000 and are widely available online and at pharmacies. Most contain other skin-brightening ingredients like kojic acid or liquorice extract. While they promise fairness, the results are often temporary and superficial.

c. IV Glutathione Injections

This is where the price soars. One sitting can cost ₹5,000 to ₹10,000, and most skin clinics recommend a course of 10-15 sessions for "visible fairness"-which can bring the total to ₹1,00,000 or more. Add post-care, maintenance drips, and Vitamin C infusions, and the expenses climb even higher.

What Do Experts Say?

Dermatologists and the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists, and Leprologists (IADVL) have issued warnings about unregulated glutathione injections.

The FDA does not approve it as a skin-whitening treatment, and there's insufficient evidence to prove that the substance can safely lighten skin over time. Side effects such as kidney dysfunction, allergic reactions, and long-term liver damage are also reported in rare cases.

Despite that, social media and influencer culture continue to glorify the "glutathione glow," especially among urban youth and in bridal beauty packages.

Why Are We Still Chasing Fairness?

The fairness obsession is not just about beauty-it's cultural conditioning. Skin colour bias is deeply embedded in Bollywood, matrimonial ads, and hiring preferences. Brands have pivoted from "fairness creams" to "glow" and "brightening," but the message remains unchanged: fairer is better.

This has made fairness a luxury commodity, accessible mostly to those who can afford monthly beauty clinic bills and imported supplements.

Is It Worth The Glow?

If you're considering glutathione for skin lightening, be informed. Consult a dermatologist, understand the risks, and most importantly, ask yourself why you want to change your skin tone in the first place.

A radiant complexion doesn't always come from being lighter-it comes from being healthy, confident, and unapologetically yourself.