BEFORE: Plan to eat a light meal and drink some water so your veins are easier to find. Arrive with a list of medications, supplements, and any past reactions to needles or vitamins. Avoid alcohol right before your visit, since it can worsen dehydration and raise nausea risk. If you are feeling very ill, faint, short of breath, or have chest pain, skip the spa visit and get urgent care. Your provider should review your health history, check vital signs, and confirm that an IV is appropriate for your goal. Wear sleeves that roll up, and tell the team if you bruise easily. In some cases, basic lab work is recommended before higher-dose add-ons.

DURING: You’ll sit back while the skin is cleaned and a small catheter is placed in a vein, usually in the arm. Most people feel a quick pinch, then a cool, steady drip. Sessions often last about 30–60 minutes, depending on the mix and flow rate. A trained clinician should check on you, watch for swelling, burning, dizziness, or headache, and slow or stop the drip if anything feels off. If you have sensitive veins, a slower rate and fewer add-ons can make the experience more comfortable and reduce irritation. You can read or use your phone, but keep the arm still. Good clinics use single-use supplies and proper hand hygiene to lower infection risk.

AFTER: Expect to feel more hydrated within a few hours, though results vary based on sleep, diet, and the reason you felt low. Keep drinking water, and choose simple meals with salt and potassium if you were dehydrated. Mild soreness or a small bruise at the IV site can happen; ice and gentle pressure may help. Avoid heavy workouts and alcohol for the rest of the day, especially if you came in depleted. Call a medical professional right away if you notice fever, worsening redness, streaking, numbness, or swelling that keeps growing. If you’re chasing energy, remember that sleep and iron or thyroid issues may be the real cause, so lab checks can be smarter than frequent drips.