Here’s everything to know before jumping on the bandwagon…
Be it suffering from jet lag after travelling for long hours to attend a destination wedding at a distant location or getting rid of a horrid hangover after your bachelorette, IV drips seem to be a popular solution for brides, grooms, and wedding attendees to cope with the wedding madness.
Adele claims to get her vitamins intravenously before a big performance, Chrissy Teigen and Gwyneth Paltrow are also IV therapy enthusiasts. When Alanna Panday got married to Ivor McCray in 2023, she treated her guests to IV therapy at her mehndi function.
The celebrity-approved wellness trend has gained popularity over the years (it’s a go-to of It girls like Kylie Jenner and Hailey Bieber!), should you consider going for it before your wedding? Read on to know what the experts think…
Much before they became a fixture on our favourite lifestyle influencers’ Instagram feeds, IV drips were only associated with the medical field. Its association with aesthetics (skin and hair health) happened in the 70s when American physician Dr John Myers replaced the routine salt solution with a mix of electrolytes, vitamins and mineral infusions that had proven to show miraculous results on a person’s overall well-being which eventually came to be known as the Myers cocktail.
IV drips can come with a mixture of different vitamins and antioxidants. One of the most popular ones is a combination of IV glutathione, vitamin C and N-acetylcysteine which works as a potent antioxidant combination. Brides and grooms can opt for it in a
clinic setting where safety measures are in place. It takes
about 4 to 8 sessions for people to see a palpable difference, such as a reduction in tan and a gentle glow on the skin. Glutathione does this by decreasing the melanin content in our skin cells. But again, everybody doesn’t see this. So, it’s not a medicine that has a definite effect. It can be a great supplement to all your other skin treatments but not a permanent solution to all skin-related concerns like acne, pigmentation, wrinkles or sagging skin,” says Mumbai-based dermatologist, Dr Shrea Kapoor.
The basic motive behind taking an IV drip is to provide the body with the nutrition it lacks to improve its overall functioning. Wedding planning can lead to exhaustion, lack of sleep, and lowered immunity. Nutrient-enriched IV drips, including magnesium, can promote relaxation and bolster immune function and solutions with amino acids or B12 and offer an energy boost, helping to stay energised during the wedding festivities. However, you must be cautious and mindful about the constituents in a solution before opting for a session.
“For couples considering a little extra ‘boost’ before their wedding day, IV therapy offers potential benefit, but only when done with care, professional guidance, and thorough personal consideration, says Dr Mili Sinha, an aesthetic physician at La Clinique, Hyderabad,” With a 360-degree holistic approach, couples can ensure they’re not only looking their best but also feeling energised and ready to enjoy every moment.” Wedding planning can lead to exhaustion, lack of sleep, and lowered immunity. Nutrient-enriched drip solutions can promote relaxation and bolster immune function. However, before rushing to get an IV drip it is important to identify clear goals to help professionals tailor the treatment as per your specific needs, some additives might be better suited than others as per body type and hence dosage adjustments need to be done accordingly.”
While it has its benefits, there could be some side effects too. In 2018, Kendall Jenner had to be hospitalised after a bad reaction to an IV drip. Here are a few things to keep in mind before opting for IV therapy…
Though most of us may be intrigued to opt for the most popular solution that clinics offer, it is important to understand that nutritional needs vary as per the body type, lifestyle and genetic makeup to set expectations as to what an IV drip can offer. Getting a medical test done is the best way to understand one’s bodily deficiencies and curate a customised solution accordingly.
Nutritionist Payal Kothari recommends opting for a CBC and a CMC test before opting for an IV drip. She says, “ Along with CBC (complete blood count test) and CMC(comprehensive metabolic panel test) liver function tests, kidney function tests are essential to ensure safe and proper administration of the solution. Nutritionists and dermatologists should together assess for deficiencies, allergies, and underlying health conditions. They should also review any existing medications and at least three generations of medical history as certain nutrients could interact with medications and trigger genetically inert health conditions”.
Harsh or hasty interjections by the hands of untrained medical professionals can lead to air embolisms which may later pave the way for muscle and joint aches, the skin turning blue and in the rarest of cases even a minor heart attack. Therefore one must always go for a certified clinic and opt for an IV drip under the hands of a qualified medical practitioner rather than trying it on their own especially when they don’t have any prior medical knowledge.
Just the way a single player in a team cannot lead the team to victory, a single ingredient in an IV drip solution cannot bring about miraculous results, no matter how many sessions one opts for.
Whether it is for curing post-workout fatigue, or a mixture claiming to bring out miraculous results in skin and hair health, always check for the overall composition before you administer anything into your bloodstream. In case of solutions claiming to yield miraculous results, scrutinise them with extra caution.
Yes, glutathione and vitamin C are skin benefitting ingredients but only 30% of glutathione is absorbed by the body and the rest is passed out in the form of stool, hence a high dosage of the anti-oxidant or the vitamin or repeated infusions will not yield miraculous results overnight but may lead to healthcare concerns. Who can forget the first episode of Made in Heaven Season 2, on Amazon Prime where the bride, Sarina suffers from a rash in attempts to lighten her skin primarily due to an overdose of glutathione!?
“Solutions with high doses of glutathione may sometimes give you instantaneous results, but they do more damage than good. As these vitamins are branded as “miracle ingredients”, an overdosage of glutathione and Vitamin C may help skin lightning but it may also lead to conditions like nausea, stomach cramps, or diarrhoea, and create additional problems for those on acidity-regulating medications. Therefore, solutions highlighting the presence of glutathione and Vitamin C are the ones to be examined thoroughly,” advises Dr Mili Sinha.
“IV drip solutions with too much glutathione can disrupt the body’s natural antioxidant balance, leading to diminishing returns. My advice to people is to always insist on asking for a full list of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals in the IV solution, including dosages and potential side effects, please opt for customised and bespoke drips as they are a safer option than celebrity-endorsed popular options. Last but not least, read the consent form thoroughly.”
Apart from being mindful of the usage of fresh and sterilised paraphernalia for injecting the IV drip, people must make sure that the clinic uses biodegradable material that does not cause harm to the environment. As per a report filed by the CPCB (centre for pollution control board), India generates up to 619 tonnes of biomedical waste per day which in turn affects people causing problems like respiratory failures and gastrointestinal problems when released into the environment. Thus, make sure that the clinic is opting for equipment made of bio-degradable polymers PLA (Polylactic acid) and PGA (polyglycolic acid).
It’s a fact that water is a universal solvent and constitutes a major component of the blood plasma and hence helps in the faster delivery and absorption of nutrients. Therefore make sure you get your water intact right before opting for an IV drip.
As water is a universal solvent, an adequate amount of hydration allows the vitamins and minerals to be transported directly to the cells without facing any hindrance, hence please drink enough water so that the assimilation of minerals and vitamins is not hampered.
“Well-hydrated individuals generally tend to have greater prominent veins, making it less complicated for healthcare companies to locate appropriate veins for cannulation and thus reduce mishaps”, says Delhi-based wellness expert Aanchal Rout.” Dehydration can cause the veins to constrict and grow to be much less seen, complicating the insertion of the IV catheter. Adequate hydration can lead to an extra snug enjoyment in the course of the IV drip consultation. Dehydrated sufferers can see soreness or aches due to decreased blood extent and accelerated strain on veins thus hindering nutrient absorption. Hydration is crucial for retaining mobile characteristics and metabolic methods, beginning from a well-hydrated composition can beautify the absorption and efficacy and prevent crystallisation of vitamins and minerals in the body.”
It is normal to experience dizziness and slight discomfort as there is a change in the electrolyte balance in the body after an IV drip. Along with that, here’s everything to remember after you’ve received IV therapy…
Although IV drips can help relieve stress and boost nutritional intake, they cannot compensate for a holistic regime consisting of a balanced diet and a customised exercise regime if anyone wants to witness their real benefits. Yes, IV drip can somewhat compensate for the nutritional deficiency that someone faces but it cannot alone suffice for what the body needs as a whole.
“The IV drip approach is not a magic fix. Long-term skin and hair health rely on sustained nutrition, hydration, and healthy lifestyle practices rather than sporadic IV treatments. For someone with nutrient deficiencies, IV therapy might provide a temporary boost, but for those with balanced diets, the effects may be minimal and more hyped than effective for regular use,” says Payal Kothari.
IV drip solutions may bring about a lot of changes in the mind and body of an individual and some may have also suffered to report cases of insomnia and anxiety primarily when they don’t start seeing the results. It is important during this time to keep patience and allow the process to show its course. Having a result-oriented approach and getting frantic about not seeing the results immediately will only make things worse and you may not be able to see the full results that an IV drip has to offer.
“It is important to understand that different body types respond differently, ” says psychologist Dr Somya Tandon, “Apart from approaching the procedure with a process-oriented mindset, people should examine their expectations from a realistic lens and not expect overnight results. Overthinking will lead to the release of cortisol and stress-inducing hormones which will only further hinder the process of nutrient absorption. One simple exercise that works miraculously for anyone suffering from insomnia after the treatment is analysing the movement of the diaphragm while breathing deep. Keeping a hand on the lower abdomen and being mindful about the expansion and contraction of the diaphragm gradually puts the sleepless person to sleep.”
The post-IV drip period is a very sensitive stage for the body as it is undergoing a major transition and accommodating all the nutrients that the solution has to offer. Subjecting your body to physical stress may only worsen things and you may not be able to see the benefits that an IV drip has to offer. Repeated exercising may lead to the oxidation of vitamins and minerals and hence not yield full results. Also, having hot showers may dilate the blood vessels which may delay the absorption of vitamins and minerals.
“After an IV drip, your body may nonetheless be adjusting to the modifications in fluid balance or convalescing from a contamination or medical manner that necessitated the IV remedy. Exercising too soon can weigh down your frame’s capacity to cope with both recuperation and bodily exertion. Engaging in strenuous pastime too soon can prevent the restoration of the body’s state back to normalcy.” says, Aanchal Rout
The human body has its way of communicating and conveying information about the discomfort it is facing. Hence, whether it is a minor itch, a rash or some amount of subdued redness, have open discussions with your doctor whenever there is a tinge of doubt in your mind. Don’t wait for things to go extreme and report even the tiniest changes that your body sees to prevent them from snowballing into something fatal.
Neha Karra is a junior writer, who loves to discover and try the latest trends in style, food and beauty. When she is not curating articles, you will find her playing with kids, reading books, painting and practising Mandala Art. View Profile
