The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has issued a warning following a Channel 4 News probe that uncovered a rapid rise in the use of unregulated intravenous glutathione drips being marketed for skin lightening, whitening, and brightening across the UK.
Investigators revealed over 300 beauty salons currently offering these invasive procedures, often without medical supervision, proper hygiene, or safety protocols, and promoting them on social media to vulnerable audiences.
Glutathione vials, which are unlicensed for cosmetic use, are being sold online with no checks and administered outside medical environments.
The news follows a recent call from Trading Standards for urgent regulation of aesthetic procedures such as Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBL), botulinum toxin, fillers and fat injections, and another in May over the dangers of nasal tanning sprays as the products experienced a resurgence in popularity.
What are the risks of glutathione IV drips?
Glutathione is an antioxidant produced naturally in the liver. When used intravenously for cosmetic purposes, it is claimed to lighten skin by interfering with melanin production. However, there is no scientific consensus supporting its efficacy or safety when used in this way.
The Safety in Beauty campaign highlighted adverse effects including anaphylaxis, kidney strain, and infections.
Channel 4 also revealed international cases of blindness and fatalities linked to improper administration.
Despite these dangers, the current UK regulatory framework offers limited oversight. CTSI experts argue that injectable products like glutathione remain widely available both online and in clinics, with no specific legal controls to manage risks.
Calls for urgent regulation
At its recent Annual Conference, CTSI reiterated a series of firm recommendations to Government, mirroring prior calls on Botox, fillers, and fat‑dissolving injectables.
- Establish a licensing scheme for high‑risk aesthetic procedures
- Launch a ministerial Task Force to coordinate regulation and enforcement
- Extend existing under‑age aesthetics legislation across Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
- Enforce swift removal of unsafe injectable products sold online.
CTSI's external affairs manager Kerry Nicol said, “These are not harmless beauty treatments – they are medical‑style procedures being administered with no clinical oversight… the consequences can be devastating.”
Richard Knight, CTSI lead officer for cosmetics and beauty, highlighted enforcement barriers, adding,“Our current product and service provision laws don’t adequately regulate this emerging area... consumers should only consider having any needle‑based aesthetic treatments carried out by a qualified medical professional.”
Ian Andrews, head of environmental health at CIEH, echoed the need for modern regulation, adding, "We would really welcome clarity from the Government on when further legislation will be consulted on because existing legislation is outdated.”
The call follows last week's response from the Scottish government outlining the new categorisation for its proposed aesthetic treatments licensing scheme.
