Where to inject
The abdomen at least two inches from the navel, the front and outer thigh, and the back of the upper arm. Avoid anything within two inches of the navel, anything bruised, scarred, moley or hard, and the waistband line where clothing rubs.
Equipment guidance only. Not medical advice.
The three usual sites
| Site | Where exactly | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Abdomen | Two inches out from the navel, either side | Easiest to reach and see, most consistent tissue |
| Thigh | Front and outer, middle third | Easy one-handed; avoid the inner thigh |
| Upper arm | Back, between shoulder and elbow | Awkward on yourself, fine if someone helps |
Why the abdomen is the default
You can see it, you can reach it with either hand, and the subcutaneous layer is reliably present across a large area, which means plenty of room to rotate. Nothing more mysterious than that.
Stay a good two inches clear of the navel itself. The tissue immediately around it behaves differently and is more likely to be tender.
Where not to inject
- Within two inches of the navel
- Anywhere bruised, red, swollen or tender from last time
- Scars, stretch marks, tattoos and moles
- Any lump or hardened patch, which is a sign that area needs a rest
- The waistband line, where a belt will rub afterwards
- Directly into muscle, which is a different technique entirely
Finding the layer
You are aiming for the soft layer between skin and muscle. Pinch gently: if you can lift a fold, there is subcutaneous tissue there. If you cannot lift anything, pick somewhere else rather than injecting into something firm.
Questions
- Does the site change how it works?
- Absorption rate can vary a little by site, which is one reason to be consistent rather than random. What that means for a given compound is outside what we can advise on.
- Can I inject through clothing?
- No. You cannot clean the site, you cannot see what you are doing, and the fabric can drag the needle.
Pen Needles 31G × 6mm, 10 pack
Ten 31G × 6mm pen needles.