Warning: Do NOT reuse the listed supplies, such as syringes, needles, alcohol pads and band-aids. Saving money is not worth the risk of seriously damaging your health.
The following supplies are easiest to buy with a credit/debit card or similar payment method, but if you do not have one or your parents can track your purchases, you will need to buy anonymously. The best method is to buy an Amazon gift card with cash from your local supermarket and use that to make your purchases.
Syringes are used to hold and inject the oil. You'll want to purchase 1ml syringes, but avoid any labeled "oral syringes." There are two main types to choose from: Luer Lock and Luer Slip.
Luer Lock syringes twist and lock the needle securely in place, making them more stable and harder to remove accidentally.
Luer Slip syringes allow you to push on the needle to attach it and easily remove it afterward. These are ideal if you are doing IM injections and plan to draw with one needle size and inject with another. If you're using this method, Luer Slip syringes are recommended since they allow for easy needle swapping and Luer Locks don’t.
I've included a list of trusted syringe sources below, including Amazon links and brand names for convenience. Don’t stress over brands; they’re all reliable. The list just provides more context to help you make an informed choice.
Injection needles are what you’ll attach to the syringe to draw up the oil and inject it. There are two main types you’ll be using: intramuscular (IM) needles and subcutaneous (subq) needles. These differ in two main ways: gauge (thickness) and length.
The gauge of a needle represents the length of its diameter. A needle with a smaller gauge has a wider diameter, while a needle with a larger gauge is narrower. As you may have guessed, needles with smaller gauges (18G - 25G) are used for IM injections, while finer needles with larger gauges (25G - 30G) are used for subq injections.
Additionally, intramuscular needles are longer because they’re designed to deliver the injection deep into the muscle. Subcutaneous needles are shorter and thinner, made for injecting just beneath the skin into the subcutaneous layer (also called the hypodermis), which is rich in fatty tissue.
I've included a list of trusted needle sources below, including Amazon links and brand names for convenience. Don’t stress over brands; they’re all reliable. The list just provides more context to help you make an informed choice.
For convenience, many manufacturers offer needle and syringe kits where both items are sold together. These kits are often cheaper than buying syringes and needles separately. There’s no downside to using them; it’s just a helpful alternative if you prefer an all-in-one option. In fact, insulin syringes (like the ones listed below) can even help your vials last longer because they have reduced dead space, meaning less medication is wasted.
Alcohol pads are used to sanitize the injection site before injecting. Simply rub the pad on the area where you plan to inject to reduce the risk of infection. These pads are usually sold in bulk packs, so you likely won’t run out anytime soon.
Band-Aids are optional, but it doesn’t hurt to have them on hand in case there’s any bleeding after an injection. To prevent bleeding, apply firm pressure to the injection site for about 10 seconds after finishing. This same technique also helps prevent oil leakage from the injection site.
