Injecting under the skin

Where to inject, how to do it cleanly, rotating sites, and getting rid of needles safely.

Almost every peptide on this site is given as a subcutaneous injection: into the layer of fat just under the skin, not into muscle. It uses a short, thin needle and, done cleanly, it’s quick and close to painless.

Before you start

• Wash your hands and work on a clean surface.
• Have ready: alcohol swabs, a new insulin syringe or pen needle, and a sharps container.
• If the vial or pen has been in the fridge, a few minutes at room temperature makes the shot sting less.

Where to inject

• Belly: the easiest spot, at least 2 inches (5cm) away from the belly button.
• Front or outer thigh.
• Back of the upper arm: easier if someone helps.

Skip skin that is scarred, bruised, tender, hard or red, and keep away from moles and stretch marks.

With a syringe

1. Wipe the vial’s rubber stopper and your skin with alcohol, and let both dry. Wet alcohol is what makes a shot sting.
2. Draw your dose (see reading a syringe) and flick out any big air bubbles.
3. Gently pinch up a fold of skin.
4. Put the needle in with one quick, smooth movement, straight in (90°). If you are very lean, a 45° angle keeps it out of the muscle.
5. Push the plunger slowly and steadily, then count to five before taking the needle out.
6. Press lightly with a clean swab if there’s a drop of blood. Don’t rub.

With a pen

1. Fit a new pen needle every time.
2. Follow your pen’s instructions for priming. This is usually needed with a new cartridge or needle, and makes sure the dose comes out.
3. Dial your dose (see pen or vial), put the needle straight in, and press the button all the way.
4. Keep it in for the count your pen’s instructions give (often about 10 seconds), then take it out.

Rotate your sites

Move each injection at least an inch (2–3cm) from the last one, and take turns between areas: for example left belly, right belly, then thighs. Injecting into the same spot again and again can leave small, firm lumps under the skin. Peptides absorb unevenly from them, and they take months to go away.

Never reuse or share

Use each needle and syringe once. Never share needles, syringes or pens with anyone, even with a new needle on the pen.

Getting rid of needles

Put used needles straight into an FDA-cleared sharps container. If you don’t have one, a heavy plastic household container with a tight screw lid (such as a laundry detergent bottle) works; label it “sharps, do not recycle”. Rules for disposing of a full container vary by area, so check your local guidance. Never put loose needles in the trash or recycling.

What’s normal

A tiny drop of blood, a small bruise or a little redness that fades within a day or two is normal. Redness that spreads, warmth, swelling, pus or a fever after 48 hours can be an infection and needs checking. See side effects: normal vs. urgent.