Khanyi Mbau is three shades lighter and couldn't be more pleased with herself. This week, Mbau, one of South Africa's most popular and controversial celebrities, said altering the colour of her skin was part of her "long-term relationship with myself".And she's hardly fazed by the criticism she's received for her decision to go lighter, in the same vein as her celeb counterparts Nomasonto "Mshoza" Mnisi, Kelly Khumalo and Sorisha Naidoo.Mbau is among a growing number of local and international personalities who have gone the intravenous route for a lighter complexion through a glutathione drip and vitamin C - the latest trend in skin lightening worldwide.South Africans have long been divided over the issue of dark-skinned women hankering for a fairer complexion, which they believe will earn them success and popularity.On Friday, kwaito queen Mshoza, who shocked South Africans by lightening her complexion four years ago, was considering not performing at the ANC's January 8 statement celebrations in Rustenburg because her fair skin was too sensitive for the sun.Mshoza, who reportedly bleached her skin, which caused an unspecified "serious condition", is preparing for cosmetic surgery, and fears the extreme heat could have an adverse effect. She said the procedure she was set to undergo was similar to what Michael Jackson used to turn himself white.mini_story_image_hleft1Black celebrities such as Beyoncé, Halle Berry, Rihanna and Nicki Minaj have often been the subject of debate on social media platforms after they were Photoshopped to appear fairer on magazine covers.Mbau was criticised when she posted before and after pictures of herself on her Instagram account. "Most ladies acting all unimpressed on my gram looking at changes," she responded."But deep down inside know how badly they want to know, how, where, what ... How much. It's OK hunnies ... Secretly DM [direct message] me, and you can relax I am a girl's girl ... I will answer your every enquiry ... Then y'all can head back onto my page and hate later but at least you will be looking better. Sharing is caring ... beauty is all a choice we have ... oh and the size of the wallet, that is."Doctors who are administering the glutathione/vitamin C drip at private skin clinics, mainly in Johannesburg and Cape Town, insist it is safe and beneficial to the body. Vitamin C is believed to brighten the skin and to fight signs of ageing.The treatment is hugely popular in countries such as India and Malaysia.But Professor Nonhlanhla Khumalo, head of dermatology at Groote Schuur Hospital and the University of Cape Town, warned that it was unknown exactly how safe glutathione is."There are a lot of studies of its use to reduce or limit chemotherapy side effects. We have no evidence of its safety profile for long-term use. There have been reports of severe allergic reactions which involve the skin and internal organs."What is also cause for concern are side effects of intravenous injections, as well as the variable quality of the glutathione which could be supplied by suspect international sources to make a quick buck."I would advise completely against this treatment, not only because of the potential of immediate side effects but also long-term side effects of the increased risk of skin cancers," Khumalo said.Dr Alistair McAlpine of the Lightsculpt Aesthetic Clinic in Johannesburg said the treatment was very popular "with dark-skinned patients who are wanting to emulate celebrities such as Khanyi Mbau, but who are also wanting to improve the overall health and condition of their skin".full_story_image_hleft2McAlpine explained how the treatment - the cost starts at about R900 for an infusion and usually requires at least five sessions - works."In terms of skin lightening, this is achieved by using glutathione, which inhibits the production of melanin - responsible for determining skin and hair colour and present in the skin to varying degrees."[Because] it is given intravenously, the skin lightening occurs on a cellular level. When you decrease melanin production, it will lighten the skin."McAlpine said the treatment was "incredibly safe and there are no known side effects due to glutathione".Asked whether altering her complexion took away a part of herself, Mbau disagreed. "No, because when you're not happy, a part of you is also lost."Dr Minoka Nadesan, director of aesthetics at NoviSkin in Waterkloof, Pretoria, said: "Glutathione is not harmful, but you can't go to any doctor and say I want a glutathione IV."The problem comes in where doctors are going to pump people with IVs not knowing the dilution ratios and how much vitamin C to use. That's when it starts getting dangerous."You have to get the right glutathione so that it does not fragment in the veins. There are very few side effects documented and, with that, very few studies on it," Nadesan said.govendersu@sundaytimes.co.za..