Medical Disclaimer
This guide is for general educational purposes only and applies to all Lifted Health intramuscular injectable treatments. Always follow the specific instructions provided by your Lifted Health provider. Contact your care team with any questions before continuing treatment.
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Watch First
See the Technique
Watch this short walkthrough before your first injection. The written steps below follow the same sequence.
1
Before You Start
What You'll Need
Gather everything before you begin. Having an organized, clean space makes the process easier and reduces the risk of contamination.
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Insulin Syringe
21–25 gauge, 1–1.5 inch needle
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Your Medication Vial
As prescribed, stored correctly per label
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Alcohol Swabs
70% isopropyl — for vial top and skin
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Soap & Water
Wash hands thoroughly before starting
🗑️
Sharps Container
Never recap or trash used needles
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Gauze or Cotton
For gentle pressure after injection
2
Preparation
Preparing Your Dose
Take your time here. Proper prep prevents contamination and ensures you draw the correct amount.
1
Wash your hands thoroughly
Soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Dry with a clean towel. This is the most important step in preventing infection.
2
Check your medication vial
Inspect for clarity, color changes, and expiration. Your medication should be clear to slightly colored depending on the treatment — discard if you see particles or cloudiness.
Temperature tip: If refrigerated, let the vial sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes. Cold medication causes more stinging at the injection site.
3
Swab the vial top with alcohol
Wipe the rubber stopper in a single outward circular motion. Let it air dry for 10–15 seconds. Do not blow or fan it dry.
4
Draw air into the syringe
Pull the plunger back to draw air equal to your prescribed dose volume. This creates positive pressure in the vial, making it easier to draw medication.
Example: For a 0.50mL dose, draw to the 0.5mL line on your syringe. IM syringes use mL markings, not units.
5
Insert needle and inject the air
Push the needle straight through the rubber stopper. Inject the air into the vial before pulling medication. Keep the needle tip submerged below the liquid surface.
6
Invert the vial and draw your dose
Flip the vial upside down with the needle still inserted. Slowly pull the plunger to draw slightly more than your dose, then gently push back to the exact measurement to expel air bubbles.
Air bubbles: Tap the syringe gently to move bubbles to the top, then nudge the plunger to push them out. A tiny drop at the needle tip is normal and expected.
7
Remove needle and set aside safely
Pull the syringe straight out. Do not recap the needle. Place the loaded syringe on a clean flat surface while you prepare your injection site.
3
Where to Inject
Choosing Your Injection Site
Intramuscular injections go directly into muscle tissue. These two sites are recommended for all Lifted Health IM injectable treatments.
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Vastus Lateralis (Outer Thigh)
The middle third of the outer thigh muscle. Easiest to self-administer — you can see and reach it clearly without assistance.
⭐ Most Recommended
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Deltoid (Upper Arm)
The triangular muscle of the upper arm, 2–3 finger widths below the shoulder bone. Smaller muscle — best for volumes under 1mL.
Good Alternative
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Always rotate injection sitesInjecting repeatedly into the same muscle can cause scar tissue buildup, which impairs absorption and increases soreness. Alternate between left and right sides, and between thigh and deltoid.
Example Rotation Schedule
Inj 1
Left Thigh
Inj 2
Right Thigh
Inj 3
Left Deltoid
Inj 4
Right Deltoid
Inj 5
Left Thigh
Inj 6
Right Thigh
Inj 7
Left Deltoid
Inj 8
Right Deltoid
4
The Injection
Giving the Injection
IM injections take slightly longer than subcutaneous — inject slowly to minimize muscle soreness. The key differences are the 90° angle, no skin pinching, and slower plunger speed.
1
Clean the injection site
Wipe a 2-inch area with an alcohol swab using a circular outward motion. Let it air dry completely — injecting into alcohol-wet skin increases stinging and risk of irritation.
2
Spread the skin — do not pinch
Unlike subcutaneous injections, intramuscular injections require you to spread and slightly stretch the skin flat with your non-dominant hand. This helps the needle reach the muscle and reduces discomfort.
Z-track technique (optional): Pull the skin 1–2 inches to the side before injecting, then release after withdrawing. This seals the medication in the muscle and reduces leakage and bruising.
3
Insert the needle at 90°
Hold the syringe like a dart, perpendicular to the skin. Insert in one smooth, confident motion — straight in at 90°. The needle needs to reach the muscle layer beneath the fat.
Needle depth: Use a 1-inch needle for most patients. If you have more subcutaneous fat, a 1.5-inch needle may be needed to reach muscle. Your provider will specify.
4
Aspirate (optional, check with your provider)
Pull the plunger back slightly for 5–10 seconds. If blood appears, remove the needle, discard, and start fresh at a new site — you've hit a blood vessel. If no blood appears, proceed to inject.
Note: Current clinical guidelines consider aspiration optional for most IM sites. Follow your provider's specific instructions.
5
Inject slowly and steadily
Depress the plunger at a slow, even pace — approximately 10 seconds per mL. Injecting too fast increases pressure in the muscle and causes more soreness. Keep the needle completely still while injecting.
6
Remove the needle smoothly
Pull the needle straight out at 90°. If using the Z-track technique, release the skin now. Do not rub the site — this can push medication back toward the surface and cause irritation.
7
Apply gentle pressure
Press clean gauze lightly against the site for 10–15 seconds. Minor bleeding is normal. A warm compress applied 30 minutes after can help reduce muscle soreness.
8
Dispose of the needle safely
Place the used syringe directly into your sharps container — needle first, without recapping. Never put needles in household trash or recycling.
5
After Your Injection
What to Expect
Most patients tolerate subcutaneous injections very well. Here's what's normal versus what needs attention.
✓ Normal & Expected
Minor redness or a small red dot at the site
Mild bruising that fades within days
Small raised bump that resolves in 30–60 min
Mild itching or warmth at the site
✕ Contact Your Provider
Redness spreading beyond 1 inch from site
Swelling that worsens after an hour
Warmth, pus, or signs of infection
Fever or severe pain within 24 hours
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Injection Site SorenessMild muscle soreness or stiffness at the injection site for 24–48 hours is normal with IM injections. Applying a warm compress after injection can help ease any discomfort. If soreness worsens beyond 48 hours or you notice swelling or redness, contact your care team.
6
Best Practices
Do's and Don'ts
Following these guidelines maximizes safety, minimizes discomfort, and ensures proper medication absorption.
✓ Always Do This
Wash hands before every injection
Use a fresh needle every time
Rotate injection sites consistently
Let skin dry after alcohol swab
Store medication per label instructions
Track injection dates and sites
Dispose in a proper sharps container
✕ Never Do This
Reuse needles — ever
Inject into red, bruised, or tender skin
Inject into the same spot repeatedly
Rub the injection site vigorously after
Inject if medication looks discolored
Share needles or vials with anyone
Dispose of needles in household trash
7
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions from Lifted Health patients about self-injection.
IM injections use a longer needle and go deeper than subcutaneous, so there can be slightly more pressure during the injection and more muscle soreness afterward — but the insertion itself is usually no more painful if done correctly. The key is inserting quickly and confidently at 90°, injecting slowly, and letting the alcohol fully dry first. Most patients adapt within the first few injections.
This is called blood flashback and means the needle has entered a blood vessel. Do not inject. Remove the needle immediately, discard the entire syringe, and draw a fresh dose with a new needle. Choose a slightly different spot on the same muscle or switch to the other side. This is why aspiration is recommended — pulling back the plunger briefly before injecting checks for this. It's not dangerous, just requires starting fresh.
Yes — mild to moderate muscle soreness lasting 24–48 hours is completely normal after IM injections, especially in the first few weeks. Applying a warm compress to the site 30 minutes after injecting helps significantly. Make sure you're injecting slowly (10 seconds per mL), rotating sites consistently, and using the correct needle length. If soreness is severe, worsening after 48 hours, or accompanied by swelling, redness, or fever, contact your care team.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember — unless it's nearly time for your next scheduled dose, in which case skip it and resume your normal schedule. Never double-dose to make up for a missed one. Contact your Lifted Health care team if you're unsure how to adjust.
Current clinical guidelines consider aspiration optional for the vastus lateralis (thigh) and deltoid sites, as major blood vessels are not typically found there. However, some providers still recommend it as a precaution. Follow your Lifted Health provider's specific instructions — when in doubt, aspirate. It adds only a few seconds and provides peace of mind.
Most Lifted Health injectable medications should be refrigerated at 36–46°F (2–8°C). Do not freeze. Keep away from direct light. Before injecting, let the vial come to room temperature for 10–15 minutes — cold medication is more viscous and causes more discomfort. Always follow the storage instructions on your specific vial label as requirements vary by formulation.
Place used syringes needle-first into a puncture-resistant sharps container immediately after use — IM needles are longer and more dangerous if handled loosely. When ¾ full, seal and take to a drop-off location. Most pharmacies accept them at no charge. Visit earth911.com to find the nearest sharps disposal near you. Never place loose needles in household trash or recycling.
Questions About Your Treatment?
Your Lifted Health care team is here to help. Reach out any time through your patient portal.
