We’ve all been there. The dehydration, nausea and relentless headache. Alternating between drinking water and Gatorade; rolling the dice on crackers or, if you’re feeling adventurous, a slice of toast (you need one to help keep the Ibuprofen down). Making that empty “I'll-never-drink-again" pact with the universe while wishing there were something in it that could make your hangover pass quicker.
“Spa day” probably isn’t the first solution that comes to mind here, but maybe it should. No, we’re not suggesting cucumber masks and mud wraps after a night of partying, but common spa treatments that can counter hangover symptoms and make the next day a lot less hellish.
As it happens, we’ve ranked the four best anti-hangover spa services based on effectiveness, availability and affordability. Interested? We thought you might be!
#4: Hot & Cold Therapy
A song of ice and... steam? Sounds a bit like fantasy fiction, but hot & cold therapy is an authentic way to combat the hangover dragon.
This treatment is a lesson in harmonious contrasts. In fact, it’s often marketed as contrast therapy, or contrast bath therapy, and is used by athletes for recovery. Rapidly switching between the icy relief of cryotherapy (cold) and the warm embrace of thermotherapy (heat) can do the following:
- Increase blood circulation
- Reduce inflammation
- Increase energy & alertness
- Help release excess water, lactic acid and salt retained by the body
- Cause the lymph vessels to contract and relax, creating a sort of pump that flushes toxins and impurities out more quickly.
Different spas have different approaches to contrast therapy. Some start in a hot, dry area before transitioning into a steam room, followed by successive trips to a cold plunge pool, warm salt bath, and cold shower.
Lymphatic drainage massage is a massage technique that facilitates the movement of lymph, the clear fluid that sends toxins and waste products out of your body. A massage therapist will direct lymph flow by carefully working the skin in the armpits, parts of the neck, back of the knees and face & chest (where lymph nodes are located).
Some say that adding dry brushing can aid lymphatic drainage and the release of toxins, but the intel on this is questionable. What dry brushing will do is unclog pores, exfoliate, and help detoxify your skin by increasing vascular blood circulation.
Two (very) important things to remember when considering a lymphatic drainage massage:
Do: Drink plenty of water before and after.
Do not: Hop on that massage table if you are still drunk or drinking.
#2: Traditional Hydrotherapy
Maybe you'd prefer your bath to be one temperature and more...sedentary when faced with alcohol's unwanted side effects. If so, then regular hydrotherapy is a safe bet.
Hydrotherapy means using water in a therapeutic way, so Jacuzzis, heated pools, Turkish baths, steam rooms and everything in between are on the table. Here are just a few benefits:
- Water jet massage increases blood circulation, delivers oxygen and nutrients to soft tissues and jumpstarts the lymphatic system.
- Epsom salt and mineral baths soothe sore muscles and help you to detox from alcohol.
- Warm baths, in general, raise body temperature, open the pores and cause you to sweat out toxins and impurities.
- Warm baths release endorphins. You need to feel good right about now, don’t ya?
You can draw an effective at-home hangover bath with the right ingredients. However, whether you’re in the spa or your own bathroom, remember to drink plenty of water as you'll be sweating a lot and hydration is key.
#1: Do the Drip (IV Vitamin Drip)
Also called IV nutrient therapy, IV vitamin drips have become extremely popular in recent years, especially among celebrities. The hangover cure IV drip is a vitamin cocktail that is delivered directly into the bloodstream. It detoxifies and hydrates your body while restoring your electrolytes, righting blood sugar levels, and alleviating pain & nausea.
Some common ingredients in IV drips include:
- Selenium
- Dextrose
- Zinc Sulfate
- Calcium
- Branch Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)
- Zofran (an anti-nausea medication)
- Glutathione (a powerful antioxidant)
- Toradol (an anti-inflammatory medication)
- Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B12
We know what you’re thinking, and, yes, IV bars also offer pregame IV drips. Getting the necessary fluids and vitamins in advance of a celebratory evening will enable you to dodge, or at least lessen, the impact of that morning-after freight train.
Too incapacitated to leave the safety of your bed? Mobile IV stations will come to you with IV treatments.
Just in case you were wondering how much someone coming to your bedside to bring you back from the brink of death might run you...Yes, IV drips for hangovers are a bit pricey—between $120 and $200. You must ask yourself how badly you want to reclaim your wellness from that nasty creature tapdancing on your brain and clawing at your gut.
There is no actual cure for a hangover, but these four spa treatments can speed up recuperation. They are relatively common and don’t always require an appointment far in advance. They can be combined (A nice massage after a mineral bath? Yes, please), and at least 3 can be emulated at home.
They're definitely more pleasant than pickle juice, ore the ol' hair of the dog option.
So, if there’s an upcoming wedding, milestone birthday or big annual celebration that encourages alcohol consumption, don’t just stock up on Pedialyte. Do yourself a favor and search for the best spas, medspas and IV bars in town.
You won’t regret it. Quite unlike that final shot of tequila last night.
Photo: And you have nobody to blame but yourself