What you need
In your Zen IV Spa kit:
- Your vial, already mixed and ready
- Small syringes (one for every shot, never reused)
- Alcohol wipes
- Your plan in writing, with the line to fill to
You add:
- A clean, flat table or counter
- A sharps container (any pharmacy sells one; a thick plastic bottle with a lid works until you get one)
- A cotton ball or small bandage, if you like
The seven steps
Wash your hands
Soap and warm water, about 20 seconds. Dry with a clean towel.
Why it matters: Clean hands are the number one way to keep the spot from getting infected.
Set up your spot
A clean, flat, well-lit surface. Lay out the vial, one sealed syringe from your kit, two alcohol wipes, and your sharps container.
Why it matters: Having everything in reach keeps you calm and stops mistakes, especially the first few times.
Wipe the top of the vial
Rub the rubber top with an alcohol wipe for a few seconds. Let it dry on its own.
Why it matters: The rubber top is where germs could get in. Wiping it keeps the medicine clean.
Draw up your dose
Pull the plunger back to the line your provider gave you to fill the syringe with air. Push the needle through the rubber top and push the air in. Turn the vial upside down and pull the plunger back a little past your line. Tap the syringe so bubbles rise, then push back to your exact line.
Why it matters: Putting air in first makes drawing smooth. Getting the bubbles out means you get the full dose.
Pick and clean the spot
Your belly, at least two fingers away from the belly button, or the outer part of your upper thigh. Wipe with a fresh alcohol wipe and let it dry. Use a different spot each time.
Why it matters: Moving the spot around keeps the skin soft and lets the medicine absorb properly.
Give the shot
Pinch up a fold of skin. Put the needle straight in. Push the plunger slowly, counting to five. Hold for another count of five. Pull the needle straight out and let go of the skin.
Why it matters: Slow and steady stings less and keeps the medicine where it belongs.
Afterwards
Drop the used syringe into your sharps container right away. Never put the cap back on. Press a cotton ball on the spot if there is a drop of blood. Write down the date, time and spot.
Why it matters: Your provider uses your notes to adjust your plan and to make sure you are rotating spots.
Keeping your vial safe
- Keep it in the fridge. Never the freezer. Keep it upright, in its box or away from light.
- Look before every shot. The liquid should be clear. Cloudy, colored, or bits floating in it: do not use it, text us.
- Never share. Not the vial, not the syringes, not even with family on the same program.
- Travelling? A small cooler bag with an ice pack is fine for a day. Text us before a longer trip.
When to call us
Most shots are a non-event. Text or call (332) 239-2005, 8 AM to 11 PM, if you notice any of these. A real person answers and loops in your provider.
At the spot
- Redness, swelling or warmth that keeps growing over a day or two
- A hard lump that does not go away in a few days
- Pus, spreading redness or red streaks
Anywhere else
- Dizzy, sick to your stomach or light-headed after a shot
- A rash, hives or itching away from the spot
About the dose
- Not sure you drew up the right amount
- Think you went into muscle instead of under the skin
- Missed a dose and not sure what to do next
This page is general information for Zen IV Spa patients and is not medical advice. Follow the plan your provider gave you. Reviewed by our medical team.