The Best Injection Sites to Practice on a Facial Manikin (with Maps)

Where exactly should you inject when practicing on a facial manikin?

For many beginners in aesthetic medicine, the answer isn't always clear. Without proper guidance, training sessions can feel like guesswork - resulting in wasted product, missed technique goals, or worse, the development of bad habits.

In this guide, we break down the most essential injection sites to focus on, explain the logic behind them, and match each zone with the right training model.

Visual Map of Injection Zones

Full face with labeled injection zones - lips, nasolabial folds, cheeks, chin, forehead, temples

Tip: Save this diagram as a quick reference when setting up your training session.

1. Lips - Mastering Volume & Shape

• Target: Vermillion border, body of the lip
• Skills: Depth control, symmetry, and filler dispersion
• Common Mistake: Overfilling or uneven entry points
• Best Model:
  • Transparent Lip Model - See needle placement clearly
  • Sara Head Model - Practice natural positioning on full face

2. Nasolabial Folds - Technique + Caution

• Target: Superficial medial cheek fat and subcutaneous layers
• Skills: Cannula entry, bolus vs. linear threads
• Watch Out For: Vascular proximity
• Best Model:
  • Emma - Offers multi-angle flexibility
  • Transparent Lower Face with Vessels

3. Cheeks - Volume and Lift

• Target: Deep medial cheek fat, zygomatic arch
• Skills: Projection, contouring, bolus placement
• Common Mistake: Injecting too superficially
• Best Model:
  • Emma
  • Transparent Upper Face Model with Vessels

4. Chin - Balancing Profile

• Target: Premental fat pad
• Skills: Small bolus control, vertical entry
• Best Model:
  • Nana – Ideal for lower facial balance practice
  • Lower Face Transparent Model with Vessels

5. Forehead & Temples - Anatomy-Sensitive Zones

• Target: Frontalis muscle, temple hollow
• Caution: High vascularity risk areas
• Best Model:
  • Transparent Eyes Forehead Model
  • James Head - Male facial structure for contrast training

Video Training Bonus

Watch our full-face injection demo with the Sara model to see correct angling and needle depth in action.

▶️ Watch the full video here

Whether you're practicing at home or guiding students in a clinical setting, knowing where to inject and why is key to skill development and safety.

Want to explore more? Browse our full facial model collection here.

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• 5 Mistakes Beginners Make When Practicing with Botox Manikins