Glutathione Injection (White Jade)Gangnam, Seoul
“White jade” (baekok) injection is the Korean nickname for reduced glutathione injection. Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) lists the nickname alongside the ingredient and describes it as an injection used for cosmetic purposes such as skin whitening, outside its approved indications. Before giving it, QD Clinic first goes through this difference with you and checks your health. At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea, consultation helps determine which options suit your concerns.
Who it’s for
- You want to know what the white jade injection actually contains before having it
- You want to understand what changes with the strength
- You have had a rash or dizziness after a glutathione injection before and want to discuss it in advance
If skin tone is your concern, rather than an injection that promises whitening, we first look at the cause — pigment, inflammation or sun exposure — in a consultation.
How it works
In Korea, glutathione injection is not approved for skin whitening. In the MFDS drug database (nedrug), the approved indications for reduced glutathione 100mg injection are “drug poisoning” and “improvement of liver function in chronic liver disease”. The high-strength 600mg and 1200mg products are approved for “prevention of neuropathy caused by cisplatin or similar chemotherapy”. Skin whitening is not among the approved indications of either.
THE MECHANISM, STEP BY STEP
01Ingredient
The active ingredient is reduced glutathione. A 2018 MFDS document names it “glutathione injection (a.k.a. white jade injection)”.
02Approved use by strength
The 100mg product is approved for drug poisoning and improving liver function in chronic liver disease; the 600mg and 1200mg products for preventing neuropathy caused by chemotherapy such as cisplatin.
03Route
The approved route is intramuscular or intravenous injection; high-strength products also include IV drip infusion. Vial products are to be used immediately after dissolving.
04Where cosmetic use stands
Skin whitening is not an approved indication. The MFDS describes such use as use “outside the approved efficacy and effects”.
Treatment areas
- Discuss at consultation
- We check whether your goal matches an approved indication — and, if it is cosmetic, that you are choosing it with that in mind.
- Medical assessment
- Glutathione’s approved indications differ by strength. We tell you the exact strength you would receive first.
- Before treatment
- Anaphylaxis-like symptoms have been reported rarely with this ingredient, so we watch you during and right after the infusion.
What the procedure is like
- 1Medical history — your goal, conditions, medicines and past injection reactions
- 2Explanation of the product’s ingredient and strength
- 3IV access and infusion
- 4Check right after the infusion and going-home advice
Infusion time depends on the strength, dilution and method, and is explained at your consultation.
Recovery & aftercare
- Most people can return to normal activities straight away.
- Bruising may appear at the needle site, so it is best not to lift heavy things with that arm on the day.
- If you develop a rash or an upset stomach, be sure to tell us before your next session.
What to expect over time
A general guide to how the days and months after treatment usually unfold. Results vary by individual.
During infusion Watching for reactions
The approved product information lists rare anaphylaxis-like symptoms (facial paleness, low blood pressure, irregular pulse). If any of these appear, we stop the infusion.
Right after Injection site
We check for bruising or pain where the needle went in.
After you get home Delayed symptoms
Rash, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain are listed as adverse reactions. Let us know if any appear.
Sessions & results
Our treatment menu offers a single session and 5 sessions. Because whitening is not an approved indication, there is no basis for saying how many sessions it would take.
How it compares
These are often grouped together as “inner beauty” injections, but their ingredients and approved indications differ.
| Comparison | Glutathione Injection (White Jade) | Cinderella Injection | Vitamin C Injection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Reduced glutathione | Thioctic acid (alpha-lipoic acid) | Ascorbic acid |
| Main approved indications | Drug poisoning; improving liver function in chronic liver disease (100mg) | Relief of diabetic polyneuropathy (600mg product) | Prevention and treatment of vitamin C deficiency, etc. |
| Is whitening an approved indication? | No | No | “Melasma, freckles, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation” — under conditions |
Approved indications are based on Korean-approved products with the same ingredient. Please confirm the actual product at your consultation.
Safety & considerations
Adverse reactions in the product information
- Rarely, anaphylaxis-like symptoms (facial paleness, low blood pressure, irregular pulse)
- Rarely, rash
- Rarely, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain
Please tell us in advance about
- Any hypersensitivity reaction after a previous injection
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Your current medicines and medical conditions
The white jade injection is not a medicine approved for skin whitening. If you have it for cosmetic reasons, please choose it knowing that this is use outside its approved indications. Individual responses vary.
Your care at QD Clinic
Goal and strength
We go over your goal, the exact glutathione strength to be given and what that strength is approved for.
Allergy history
We ask about past reactions such as a rash or a drop in blood pressure after injections, as well as your current medicines and allergies.
Infusion and monitoring
During and right after the infusion we watch for paleness, dizziness or rash, and tell you when it is fine to go home.
Frequently asked questions
Yes — it is a nickname for the same ingredient. The 2018 MFDS document refers to it as “glutathione injection (a.k.a. white jade injection)”. “Glutathion” is simply an alternative spelling.
Skin whitening is not an approved indication in Korea, and the MFDS has said that using it for whitening is use outside the approved indications. So we can’t tell you it will lighten your skin. If skin tone bothers you, we recommend a consultation to find the cause of the pigmentation first.
Higher-strength products are approved for a different purpose altogether. In Korea, 600mg and 1200mg products are approved for preventing neuropathy caused by chemotherapy. A higher strength cannot be taken as evidence of a stronger cosmetic effect.
Facial paleness, low blood pressure and an irregular pulse are rare anaphylaxis-like symptoms listed in the product information. If this happens during the infusion, tell us right away — the medical team will stop the infusion and treat you. If you are already home, seek medical care immediately.
No, you do not have to have all five in a row. Whitening is not an approved indication, so there is no basis for saying how many sessions are needed. If you have a reaction such as a rash or an upset stomach along the way, or your goal changes, we discuss again whether to continue. Please check how any remaining sessions are handled at your consultation.
For international patients
Consultation in English / 中文 / 日本語 · WhatsApp · WeChat · KakaoTalk · a 4-minute walk from Sinnonhyeon / Nonhyeon Station (hours in KST).
How many days should I stay?
Surgery and course-based treatments need a check-up. We tell you before you book whether that means staying longer or coming back another time.
For International Patients