With self-care the hot topic on everyone’s lips at the moment, it is no surprise that new and innovative health and wellness treatments are becoming increasingly popular. One such indulgence is vitamin infusion therapy, which, while not necessarily new to the wellness scene, is quickly becoming one of the most highly-requested pick-me-up procedures in clinics up and down the country.
So, what exactly is an IV Vitamin Drip, and what kind of results can people expect from the therapy? In this blog post, we’ll dive into the specifics, including the standout pros and cons of the treatment.
What is an IV vitamin drip?
Intravenous (IV) vitamin drip therapy is a delivery method for distributing nutrients and vitamins directly to the bloodstream through the veins. This method allows the fluids to move quickly and effectively, enabling the patient to feel the effects and reap the benefits almost immediately.
Vitamin infusion therapies should be administered by medical professionals who have undergone formal training to perfect a safe and successful technique. Touted by celebrities and social media influencers as a must-have treatment, many clients request the procedure for its ability to boost energy levels, rehydrate and speed up recovery time for jet lag, to name but a few.
Are IV treatments safe?
IV vitamin drips are perfectly safe, but only when administered by a qualified healthcare professional in a carefully-controlled clinical environment. From the practitioner side, it is imperative to take a complete medical history from the patient and identify any pre-existing conditions that may affect the treatment. A full consultation should also be conducted, addressing all questions and concerns that the client has about the process before getting started.
What type of results can patients expect?
IV treatments are generally quick and straightforward, with the appointment time taking around 45 minutes in total. Because the fluids in a vitamin infusion are transferred directly to the bloodstream and the cells they are targeting, IV drips boast a range of benefits to the patient and the ability to improve upon a variety of bodily functions. These are a few of the ways in which an IV vitamin drip can benefit the recipient:
- Improved immune health
- Hangover relief
- Weight-loss support
- Aesthetic enhancement
- Jet-lag recovery
- Migraine relief
The patient can often feel the results of the treatment immediately, but in some cases, and depending on the individual, they may take a few hours to kick in. The effects of the procedure can be felt for up to 2-3 days after administration.
Pros and cons of vitamin intravenous infusion
Pros
There are several main benefits in favour of a vitamin infusion treatment, including:
- Delivery via IV therapy allows for the absorption of up to 99.9% of vitamins, transferred directly to the bloodstream for optimum results. This contrasts with just an 8% absorption rate for other delivery forms, such as oral tablets and pills.
- The convenience of obtaining instant results from a quick and painless procedure like vitamin infusion is a considerable advantage for those who don’t want to take time out of their busy schedules to rest and recover from the symptoms of common, uncomplicated conditions.
- IV vitamin therapy promotes enhanced health and wellness and supports a strong immune system and boosted energy levels.
Cons
Despite the variety of health and wellness perks that can be felt from the effects of vitamin infusion therapy, it’s also important to be mindful of potential side effects:
- Patients may experience slight bruising or inflammation immediately after the procedure. This is a completely normal side effect and will generally subside within a few hours.
- For those with a low pain threshold, the insertion of the IV drip may result in some slight pain at the insertion site.
- Although rare, some patients may experience an allergic reaction to treatment.
Because of the medical nature of the procedure, it must be administered by a qualified medical professional who is equipped to deal with any complications that may arise during or after the appointment. The importance of obtaining a thorough medical history from the client cannot be overstated, to minimise the possibility of any unwanted and uncomfortable side effects.