What You Need to Know About IV Therapy at Medical Spas

IV therapy has taken the beauty world by storm, with promises of boosting energy, enhancing beauty, and slowing down aging. But are these claims too good to be true?

What is IV Therapy?

Originally used in hospitals to re-hydrate and provide nutrients, Intravenous (IV) therapy is now marketed in medical spas for its alleged ability to improve skin, hair, and nails, reduce wrinkles, brighten complexion, detoxify the body, and boost collagen production. These treatments are primarily offered at medical spas, but have become increasingly available in the convenience and comfort of your home through mobile med spas, which have been appealing to many consumers. Most of the time, many IV therapies offered at medical spas are administered by nurse practitioners (NPs) or physician assistants (PAs), and not by a physician. The price of these services are typically high—around $150-$250 (sometimes even more) per session—and have not been proven to provide significant benefits, particularly for improving skin, hair, and nails. Most of the time, this medical spa service is not covered by insurance either. [1] [2]

Regulations And Laws Regarding IV Therapy In Medical Spas

In most states, the piercing of the skin or infusion of fluids is considered the practice of medicine, despite being commonly referred to as a cosmetic treatment. This means businesses must comply with state-specific rules like the Corporate Practice of Medicine (CPOM) doctrine, which prohibits corporations or non-physicians from practicing medicine. For example, in California, medical spas offering IV therapy must be 51% owned by a licensed physician, while in New York, only physicians or physician groups can own such businesses [3][4].

What Are You Really Getting?

Many IV treatments fail to disclose the exact amount of vitamins or minerals being infused. Also, since key vitamins used in most IV treatments, like vitamin C and B, are water-soluble, any excess is naturally excreted by the body through urine [5]. So, are you getting enough to make a difference, or are you paying for something your body simply flushes away? It's like overfilling a gas tank—adding more fuel doesn't make the car run better, and the extra just spills out. Similarly, once your body has met its nutritional needs, the excess vitamins from an IV drip are wasted.

The placebo effect also plays a role in how people perceive the benefits of IV therapy. For example, if you're dehydrated and receive IV hydration, you may feel better simply because you expect to—regardless of whether the treatment is making any real difference to your physical health [6].

The Risks And Side Effects

IV therapy does come with potential risks. There's the possibility of injection-site infections, vein inflammation, or even a blood clot—rare but possible. Also, allergic reactions to the ingredients being infused directly into the bloodstream can occur.

The FDA has also raised concerns, specifically in the last year regarding the safety of some IV therapy services and their providers. In one case, a woman developed a systemic infection after receiving an IV-vitamin infusion at home. The compounding area was found to be unsanitary, with dirty equipment and expired ingredients. Another case involves a young woman who received an IV-vitamin infusion at a medical spa and developed an aggressive, drug-resistant bacterial infection that came from contaminated, non-sterile equipment[7]—warnings that these services aren’t always as safe as they seem.

The Growing Trend—But Is It Necessary?

IV therapy might sound appealing, but for the average healthy person, it’s an expensive, unnecessary, and potentially risky option. Since the wellness and beauty industry continue to grow at a fast pace, oversight of safe practices and regulations are lacking. And while IV therapy might claim to slow aging and improve skin, hair, and nails, these promises are not backed by science. Eating well and living a healthy lifestyle will give you the same results without the cost—or the risks.

In short: save your money, skip the drip, and focus on a balanced diet for long-term health and beauty.

If you're considering IV therapy, it’s important to weigh these factors carefully and consult with a qualified healthcare provider.

ARTICLE SOURCES

Always backed by science, and reputable & high-quality sources.

[1]

Robert H. Shmerling, M. (2020, November 3). Drip bar: Should you get an IV on demand?. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/drip-bar-should-you-get-an-iv-on-demand-2018092814899

[2]

Weiland, K., & Jankowic Weatherly, B. (2024, July 17). What is IV therapy? benefits, side-effects and costs. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/health/wellness/iv-therapy/

[3]

Adatto, B. E. (2021, February 24). Update to laws regarding IV therapy in... American Med Spa Association. https://americanmedspa.org/blog/update-to-laws-regarding-iv-therapy-in-medical-spas

[4]

Adatto, B. E. (2021b, September 27). 123s of IV therapy providers. ByrdAdatto. https://byrdadatto.com/banter/1-2-3s-iv-therapy-providers/

[5]

Lykstad, J. (2023, March 6). Biochemistry, water soluble vitamins. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538510/

[6]

Munnangi, S. (2023, November 13). Placebo effect. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513296/

[7]

Janse, A. M., Handel, S., & Kelly, M. L. (2024, January 5). The FDA has raised alarms about wellness IV treatments at unregulated Med Spas. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2024/01/05/1223193931/the-fda-has-raised-alarms-about-wellness-iv-treatments-at-unregulated-med-spas

Interview with Erika Edwards, health reporter for NBC News