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 your client cannot be overstated, to minimise the possibility of any unwanted and uncomfortable side effects.

Intravenous Micronutrient Therapy Course at Acquisition Aesthetics

Acquisition Aesthetics is a gold-standard training academy that conducts courses throughout the UK and Ireland for health professionals, including doctors, dentists and nurses. The overwhelming demand for treatments in vitamin infusion therapy inspired our Intravenous Micronutrient Therapy Course. This CPD-accredited one-day course is delivered by IVNT experts with extensive anaesthetics and intensive care medicine backgrounds. Involving both theoretical and practical components, the training enables delegates to comprehend the treatment’s core principles and confidently and successfully administer IVNT immediately following completion of the course. The course objectives include:

• The science of micronutrients
• The history and development of IVNT
• Market and regulations
• IM injection
• History and consent
• CQC insurance and supplies
• Cannulation (theory and practical training)
• Launching a successful IVNT business

With the IV therapy market worth billions of pounds in the UK alone and ever-growing, training in the specialty is an excellent option for healthcare professionals who wish to embark upon a successful and lucrative career in the sector. If you’re already an existing aesthetician working within a clinical environment, this treatment also makes the perfect addition to your list of aesthetic services and can even help bring more business to you as demand continues to grow.

If you’re interested in learning more about our course in vitamin infusion therapy, we’d love to hear from you. Please feel free to give us a call on 0203 514 8757 or email us at contact@acquisitionaesthetics.co.uk to speak to a friendly member of our team.