DREAM TEAM. Eau Claire Body Care has been serving the area for years, but now under new ownership, the biz is bringing a new approach – and new kinds of aesthetic care – to the Valley. (Submitted photos)

There’s new-to-the-Valley cosmetic care now available in Eau Claire, and it’s one that might surprise some folks: IV Therapy. Yep, IVs are not just in hospitals, and they’re not just for treating illness.

Eau Claire Body Care (2186 Eastridge Center, Eau Claire) is a medical spa offering an array of care, but the latest is IV Therapy. While the aesthetic wellness center has been around for a handful of years, it moved into its current location in 2022, and owner Molly Rodriguez is making all the moves in order to spread the word of the new-and-improved biz.

Rodriguez has been a registered nurse for 15 years with a master’s degree in public health, but a handful of years ago, a personal avenue merged with her personal life thanks to a longtime culprit: acne.

“When I was younger, and into my adult years even, I really struggled with acne. I went to different doctors, tried different creams and medications, and 40 years ago we just didn’t have the tools or understanding we have today about acne,” she explained. “It wasn’t until about 12 years ago I connected with a naturopathic doctor … she basically told me, “You have all these gut problems so we need to get your gut on track, and your skin will improve.”

“The biggest benefits people talk about when consistently doing IV Therapy is, they have more energy, sleep better, and their skin improves.” –Molly Rodriguez, Eau Claire Body Care

Rodriguez remembered not being 100% on board with the doctor’s idea at the time, but she was willing to try. She learned about using proper products on her skin, avoiding artificial fragrances and chemicals that are quite common in off-the-shelf products, and really started to get into skincare.

“It just evolved into, all of a sudden, my career shifted from working on the floor as a nurse to helping people with their gut health and skin, educating them on using the right products,” Rodriguez said.

About three years ago, Rodriguez and her husband made the move to Eau Claire. Coming out of the pandemic, an opportunity arose when Eau Claire Body was going to close if someone didn’t step in and buy the business. Rodriguez entered the picture and knew she could reimagine care in the area.

She knows people may be skeptical about trying IV Therapy: “It’s normal to be nervous when you’re trying something new, and you actually should be nervous and skeptical,” she said. “It’s really important to find third-party evidence that supports what you want to do, and see what the research is pointing to.”

Owner Molly Rodriguez with an IV Therapy client.

While IV Therapy has been popular in the United States for about 10 years, it is only just entering the Midwest. Rodriguez pointed out its “late” arrival to the area is actually a positive since there are now 10 years of use and research to back what is effective.

“We have shifted (Eau Claire Body Care’s) approach from focusing on permanent makeup to helping people heal from the inside-out, healing their skin,” she explained.

And IV Therapy is a key part of that inside-out treatment, Rodriguez explains how IV Therapy has been found to allow the body to better absorb vitamins and minerals since it bypasses the digestive system entirely. “In the digestive system, (vitamins and minerals) would have to break down, absorb through the intestinal lining, and then try to make its way to the proper cells. The reason (IVs) are used in medicine is, we want to get medications to the cells as fast as possible. The same law transfers over to hydrating your body and giving it vitamins and nutrients it needs.” 

Eau Claire Body Care offers seven types of IV Therapy drips: Hydration IV, Energy Boost, Myers Cocktail, Hangover, the Glow Up, the Grow Younger, and the NAD Hollywood IV.

“The biggest benefits people talk about when consistently doing IV Therapy is, they have more energy, sleep better, and their skin improves,” Rodriguez said.

Plus, Eau Claire Body Care is a med spa with mobile IV Therapy. Unlike a typical day spa, Eau Claire Body Care has four registered nurses, a medical director, licensed tattoo artists, and estheticians on staff. The mobile care aspect allows them to travel to those who are just passing through or staying at a hotel, or even attending music festivals.

Last year’s Country Jammers might recognize Eau Claire Body Care since they were at the festival under the Hydration Station tent, and they’ll be there again this year, offering IV Therapy. New this year is the Hydration Station’s presence at the Blue Ox Music Festival as well.

“It’s normal and okay to be nervous; it’s good to be a skeptic,” Rodriguez said. “Just don’t live in the skepticism, try something and see for yourself if it works for you.”

Visit Eau Claire Body Care’s website to learn more about their services, or call (715) 666-3999.