Officially, all lancets are single use. Though reusing is a fact of life, and many people do it. People often do it to save money, or if they are running out and won't be able to buy more. Just like everything else, you need to be smart and do it in moderation. For example, fine needles like ours, 30g, can be safely used only twice without causing real problems.
Why Do We Need to Change Lancets?
Since they are so fine, they are also delicate. Each time they puncture the skin, they cause microscopic burrs and dents in the needle.
Each burr and dent makes the lancets hurt more and require more force to puncture the skin to draw blood.
Important: Never, ever reuse a needle that was used by someone else. Not only will it hurt more, it also risks spreading blood-borne infections. 🦠
How to Change the Strength of the Lancing Device
If pricking your finger is starting to feel more painful, it may not only be your needle—it could also be your lancing depth.
Check out step 4 in the image below.
The number you see at the tip of the lancing device is a depth gauge. The higher the number, the deeper the puncture. Softer skin needs less depth to reach a capillary, while tougher skin may require a deeper setting.
