“Just getting set for the week with a dose of wellness through the IV infusion…. This method ensures rapid and efficient absorption of vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients, making it a popular choice for rehydration, nutritional support and wellness enhancement. I have had six sessions… customised by the doctor according to my health goals.” This seemed to have been a “collaboration” with a skincare clinic, but more and more people seem to be thinking in a similar vein.
Ayesha Gulati (name changed) wants “glass skin”—which is shorthand for clear, dewy, luminous face—for her wedding in November. “I want to look my best. I have read that many stars get intravenous drips of vitamins and antioxidants before redcarpet events to help them detoxify and look radiant. I thought I should give it a try,” says the 28-year-old Delhiite, who works in an MNC. “I have enrolled for a detox therapy that will infuse the body with essential vitamins and nutrients in a much more rapid manner than popping supplements.”
An IV drip—of saline, glucose or medicines —is a treatment usually prescribed for medical conditions. Now healthy people are stretching their arm for a cocktail of micronutrients in the hope that it will make their skin and hair beautiful, build stamina to work long hours and boost their immunity.
While cosmetologists and wellness centres have jumped on the bandwagon, many doctors rubbish the claims and prescribe caution. “It is not needed,” says Dr Randeep Guleria, former director of AIIMS, Delhi, and chairman, Institute of Internal Medicine & Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Medanta Medicity, Gurgaon.
Dr Anoop Misra, chairman of Fortis C-DOC Hospital for Diabetes and Allied Sciences, Delhi, also slams the IV vitamin trend. “Patients believe vitamin injections can enhance strength, and these are often given by physicians without clear reasons. These can be given if there is a genuine deficiency of vitamins. This trend of giving high-dose vitamins through IV has no locus standi, and those who are endorsing it are doing irrational propaganda,” he says.Some differ, arguing that the technique offers a wide array of benefits and can be tailor-made as per requirement.Dr Usha Beloskar, consultant dermatologist at SL Raheja Hospital in Mumbai, says they have seen an increase in the number of people going for IV vitamins. “The main reason why people opt for this treatment is to help with skincare and ensure better cosmetic outcomes. People who go for this belong to different age groups, from 25 years to 60 years. Many brides are keen to use it as it helps them get an instant glow. People in their 50s and 60s look at it as antiaging treatment,” she says, adding, “IV therapy ensures 100% absorption while providing better hydration and immunity. It can help with skin- and hair-related issues, and the treatment can be modified according to the patient’s requirements.”
A person associated with a wellness centre in Gurgaon says on condition of anonymity that the vitamin IV “therapy” is gaining traction and the footfall the centre is getting is increasing every month. “The number of people opting for IV vitamins has gone up by 30-40% over last year,” he says, adding, “We offer packages depending on what one wants. A screening is done by our in-house doctor and then a cocktail is decided.” Instead of popping multivitamin tablets, why do people opt for intravenous drips? “When vitamins are taken orally, the absorption rate is 20-50%. However, it is 90-100% when it is given intravenously,” the person says. It is sought by people in the metros, he adds.
The bestseller is a dose of glutathione and Vitamin C. “People mostly go for a dose that has glutathione, which helps fight signs of ageing,” says the person associated with the Gurgaon wellness centre.
DRIPPING POINT
This trend was arguably set by reality TV star Kim Kardashian, who reportedly underwent a “hydration treatment” just before the Met Gala in 2016. The Daily Mail reported then that Kardashian opted for a “$399 ‘Beautify’ treatment, containing a mix of B vitamins, electrolytes and antiinflammatory medication to help with healthy skin and hair” from a New Yorkbased service called The IV Doc. Many Hollywood stars followed in her footsteps. Now it has trickled down to Bollywood with actors posting photos with IV drips in their arms.
The non-medical IV drip began as a banana bag to cure hangovers. Now its clients and claims are extensive.
Pritika Arvind, a Mumbai-based runner, underwent a “sports IV therapy” last week, two days before taking part in an event.
“The therapy was formulated to rebalance vitamins, minerals and various salts required to get going before an exhaustive activity. I’m happy with my performance and give credit to the wellness centre for telling me about it,” says the 30-year-old.
A wellness centre in Delhi says a client came to them for an infusion of vitamins and minerals because she needed the stamina to give lengthy lectures for two days. “Since she had to be on her feet, she wanted a shot of extra energy,” says a person working with the centre. The cost of these sessions, he says, ranges from Rs 3,000 to Rs 25,000, depending on the ingredients that are infused.
However, Dr Meenakshi Jain, director of internal medicine at Max Super Specialty Hospital, Patparganj, Delhi, warns: “People have been taking vitamins intravenously to improve energy levels, but that is not right. Micronutrients such as vitamins should be taken only if lab parameters suggest that they are deficient in the blood. Patients should go for IV only if they are unable to take oral supplements or if these are not absorbed.”
Skin clinics, meanwhile, are offering all sorts of services to attract customers. People need not even visit a clinic, as many of them offer IV drips at home.
Vitamin infusions are not approved by health authorities. “There is no evidence to suggest that vitamin infusions are more beneficial than the original way which includes eating and drinking in moderation and getting sufficient sleep and exercise,” says a Mumbai-based doctor who did not want to be named, adding, “IV drips and injections at unregulated skin clinics are risky. People may catch infections and other injuries as these clinics operate with little oversight.”
Even as he warns that these infusions are expensive, overhyped and misleading, he asks potential clients to at least get a proper consultation before going for them. “Since many types of micronutrients are being offered, a person keen on using this method should consult with a healthcare provider to avoid any possible side-effects,” he says.
