Intravenous (IV) therapy can provide incredible health and wellness benefits when administered properly. Getting an IV infusion floods your body directly with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fluids, allowing for faster absorption and results. However, there are some important aftercare steps you should take to maximize the effectiveness and benefits of your IV therapy treatment. Follow these tips to get the most out of your visit to our medical spa.
Rest and Hydrate After Your Infusion
It’s crucial that you adequately rest and hydrate after your IV therapy session. During the infusion, your body is working hard to distribute those nutrients throughout your tissues and cells. Make sure to schedule your appointment so that you’ll have time to relax and restore afterward. Plan to take it easy for the rest of the day.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, coconut water, or electrolyte drinks. Avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol, excessive sun exposure, and anything else that may be dehydrating in the 24 hours following your treatment. Getting enough fluids will help your kidneys efficiently filter out the remains of your IV bag. Proper rest and hydration amplifies the benefits of the nutrients delivered through the IV.
Continue Eating Nutrient-Dense Foods
What you eat after an IV therapy session is nearly as important as the treatment itself. You want to continue flooding your body with premium fuel through a nutrient-dense diet in the days following the infusion. Avoid inflammatory foods like sugary snacks, fried foods, and processed meals.
Instead, opt for antioxidant and vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables. Foods high in vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, and electrolytes will help maintain the benefits from your IV therapy. Continue supplementing with vitamin injections or other supplements as recommended by our medical team. Feed your body the best possible nutrients to allow those IV nutrients to be properly utilized.
Some specific foods to focus on include:
- Citrus fruits and berries for vitamin C
- Leafy greens like kale and spinach for antioxidants
- Bananas, sweet potatoes, and avocados for potassium
- Nuts, seeds, and fatty fish for magnesium
- Probiotic foods like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut to support gut health
- Lean proteins like chicken, fish, eggs, and legumes to support amino uptake
A balanced, colorful diet full of whole foods is key.
Stick to a Consistent Self-Care Routine
IV therapy is most effective when combined with an overall self-care and wellness routine. Make it a point to get adequate sleep, regular exercise, stress management, and other healthy habits. The vitamins and nutrients from the IV will help optimize any lifestyle improvements you make.
For example, many people receive Myers Cocktails for an energy boost. Be sure to avoid sabotaging that extra energy with unhealthy habits. Get on a consistent sleep schedule of 7-9 hours per night, exercise for 30 minutes most days, and eat regular balanced meals. Consider adopting stress-reducing practices like yoga, meditation, journaling, or massage. Your IV results will shine through most if the rest of your lifestyle aligns.
Book Follow-Up Appointments
A single IV therapy session provides immense benefits, but they are often short-lived. For sustained results, it’s important to book a series of IV treatments over a span of weeks or months. Consistent and repeated infusions allow for cumulative benefits and amplification of your overall health goals.
Our medical team can help you customize the ideal IV therapy package and timeline. Optimal frequency depends on factors like your health goals, lifestyle, budget, and more. Most people need anywhere from 8 to 15 IV sessions spaced out over several months for long-lasting improvements. Don’t stop at one infusion. Book your follow-ups!
Track Your Progress and Adjust Accordingly
It can be immensely helpful to track your progress while doing a full course of IV therapy. Note your energy levels, mood, sleep quality, skin health, and any other metrics important to your goals before starting. Over the course of treatment, continue monitoring and recording improvements.
This allows you to accurately assess the impact of IV therapy while determining ideal adjustments. Are you seeing dramatic gains in some areas but not others? This feedback will help our medical team tweak your treatment plan as needed. Consistent tracking ensures you maximize results. Use a journal, spreadsheet, health app, or other tool to track progress.
Additional Tips for Popular IV Therapies
The aftercare steps will differ slightly depending on which type of IV therapy you receive. Here are some extra tips for popular formulations:
Myers Cocktail
The Myers Cocktail IV contains B-vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium, calcium, and more. It’s excellent for energy, immunity, chronic fatigue, and mood. For best results:
- Continue taking B-complex and vitamin C supplements.
- Destress through yoga, meditation, massage, etc.
- Avoid caffeine, sugar, alcohol, and other energy crashers.
Vitamin C
High-dose vitamin C infusions can boost immunity, shorten colds, improve skin health, and energize. To maximize benefits:
- Eat citrus fruits and leafy greens to maintain vitamin C levels.
- Consider adding a vitamin C serum or moisturizer to your skincare routine.
- Schedule sessions every 4-6 weeks during cold season for immunity.
Amino Therapy
Amino acid IVs deliver compounds that make up proteins to improve muscle recovery, burns, and more. For optimal results:
- Continue supplementing with individual amino acids like l-arginine.
- Engage in regular strength training and activity to utilize the amino acids.
- Eat a high-protein diet with lean meats, legumes, eggs, and dairy.
Glutathione
Glutathione IVs contain the “master antioxidant” for brightening skin, increasing energy, and fighting inflammation. Afterwards:
- Avoid direct sun exposure and wear SPF 30+.
- Consider adding a glutathione skin cream or soap to your routine.
- Take turmeric, milk thistle, or ALA supplements to further boost glutathione levels.
In Conclusion
IV therapy provides transformative wellness benefits when properly supported through lifestyle choices and consistent treatments over time. Follow our aftercare guidance on rest, hydration, diet, self-care routines, and follow-up appointments. Track your progress diligently to make adjustments as needed. Contact our office with any questions. Our team will help you maximize your IV therapy results for incredible benefits that support total mind and body wellness!