Sub-q injection technique: where, how, and what not to do
Subcutaneous injection in plain language. Sites, angles, rotation, and the small things that prevent bruising.
Subcutaneous (sub-q) means under the skin, into the fat layer, not the muscle. Most peptides are sub-q.
Best sites: lower abdomen (2 inches away from the navel), love handles, outer thigh, back of upper arm if someone else is doing it.
Pinch the fat between your thumb and finger. Insert the insulin needle at a 45-degree angle if you are lean, 90 degrees if you have more fat. Push slowly. Withdraw straight out. Apply gentle pressure with a clean cotton ball or alcohol pad for 10 seconds.
Rotate sites every injection. Same site every day causes lipohypertrophy (lumps under the skin) which messes up absorption.
To prevent bruising: do not aspirate (no need to pull back), inject slowly (over 3-5 seconds), avoid visible surface veins, ice the spot for 30 seconds before if you bruise easy.
If you hit a small vein and a drop of blood appears, it is not a problem. Apply pressure, move on. If a real bleed happens, hold pressure for a full minute.
Safe needle handling: use a sharps container, never recap and reuse, never share. Insulin needles cost cents.
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