What are the Different Types of Cannula

A cannula is a small, flexible tube placed into the body to move substances like fluids, medications, or air. It sounds simple, but its use spans across hospitals, clinics, and aesthetic procedures. Some cannulas are sharp. Others are blunt. The right type depends on the goal.

This page breaks down the different types of cannula used in healthcare and cosmetic settings. You’ll see how size, shape, and purpose define how these tools work — and why picking the right one matters.

What Is a Cannula?

A cannula is a tube inserted into the body. It allows doctors or nurses to either deliver something into the body, like fluids or medication, or remove something, like blood. In medical settings, it’s often placed in a vein or artery. In aesthetic clinics, it may go just beneath the skin.

There’s no single way to use a cannula. It might carry oxygen through the nose, inject dermal fillers under the skin, or help during surgery.

Some are stiff. Some are soft. Some slide under the skin without cutting, while others make a clean puncture. For example, a doctor might use a soft-tipped cannula during tear trough filler procedures because it moves through tissue gently, reducing bruises. When comparing cannula vs needle, the cannula’s rounded tip offers less trauma in areas where the skin is thin or sensitive.

Medical Types of Cannulas

In hospitals and clinics, cannulas come in different forms. Each one fits a different job. Here are the most common:

IV Cannula: This goes into a vein. Nurses use it to give fluids, medicines, or blood. It’s the kind most people have seen—a short, soft tube fixed to the hand or arm with tape.
Nasal Cannula: Two small tubes rest inside the nostrils and carry oxygen to the lungs. It’s often used for patients with breathing problems or low oxygen levels.
Arterial Cannula: Instead of a vein, this one enters an artery. It lets staff monitor blood pressure directly and take blood samples without repeated needle sticks.
Cardiac Cannula: This one appears during heart surgery. It helps move blood through machines when the heart is still. It’s long, rigid, and meant for use by surgeons.

Each type is designed to match the task.

Cosmetic and Aesthetic Types of Cannulas

In cosmetic treatments, cannulas allow smooth injection of dermal fillers. They slide through the skin using one entry point, often reducing bruising and swelling.

Blunt Tip Cannula: The end isn’t sharp. Instead of piercing, it glides. This lets it move past blood vessels rather than cutting through them. It’s used in areas like the cheeks, jaw, and folds near the mouth.
Microcannula: This is thin and flexible. It’s ideal for tight, sensitive spots, like under the eyes or around the lips. In procedures like tear trough filler, it helps avoid bruises by moving around delicate veins instead of puncturing them.
Long Cannula: Longer tubes reach wider areas, like the cheeks or temples. A single entry point lets the practitioner cover more space without multiple pokes. This reduces trauma and can lead to more even filler placement.

Cannulas are often chosen in cosmetic work for one reason: they cause less damage. The tip moves rather than slices, so swelling and downtime can be shorter. Some injectors still use needles for tight detail work, but many prefer cannulas for comfort and coverage.

Cannula Sizes and Gauges Explained

Cannulas vary in both length and thickness. The term “gauge” refers to how wide the tube is. Oddly enough, a lower number means a wider tube. A higher number means the tube is thinner.

Here’s a general idea of how it works:

30G to 27G: Used in tight spots like around the eyes or lips.
25G: Often used in cheeks or near the mouth.
22G to 20G: These might be used in larger body areas or for IV fluids.

Length also matters. Choosing the right size depends on where it’s going, what it’s carrying, and how much control the provider needs.

Different Types of Cannulation Techniques

Cannulation is the act of inserting the cannula. Where and how it goes in depends on the goal.

Peripheral Cannulation: This is when the cannula goes into a vein in the arm or hand. It’s the most common method for IV access.
Central Cannulation: Here, the tube enters a larger vein in the chest or neck. It’s used in critical care or long-term treatments.
Subcutaneous Cannulation: This type goes under the skin, not into a vein. In aesthetics, it’s used to inject fillers below the surface in a smooth line.

The different types of cannulation techniques matters. In cosmetic work, subcutaneous placement reduces trauma. In hospitals, peripheral access is fast and simple.

Cannula vs Needle: What’s the Difference?

The two tools serve similar goals but behave differently.

A needle is sharp. It pierces tissue with precision and is good for small, direct tasks. Think of it like a pin — exact, but forceful.
A cannula is rounded and flexible. It slides through space, moving around tissue instead of through it. This makes it useful in soft or delicate zones.

In cosmetic procedures, especially filler treatments, cannulas reduce trauma. Fewer punctures mean less swelling and shorter recovery. In cannula vs needle comparisons, many providers prefer cannulas for their safety profile—but both have their place.

Where to Find High-Quality Cannulas

Good cannulas make a difference. The quality shows in how the tip is made, how smooth the tubing feels, and how flexible it is without bending too much.

Clinics, hospitals, and medical providers usually buy from licensed suppliers. For reliable options built for both medical and cosmetic use, professionals can find tools at
https://kinamihealth.com/product-category/cannulas-and-needles/.

What makes a cannula “good” isn’t just the label; it’s the performance, fit, and comfort during use.

Resources

Özdemir, Ö., Taktak, A. F., Bülbül, Ö., & Tuncer, K. (2021). High flow versus conventional nasal cannula for oxygenation and ventilation under deep sedation. BMC Anesthesiology, 21, 120. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12871-021-01432-4 PMC+8PMC+8PubMed+8

Pavicic, T., et al. (2022). The use of a 27-gauge cannula in aesthetic medicine: arterial penetration force comparisons. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, 10(7), e4452. https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000004452 PMC

Sundaram, H. (2017). Precision in dermal filling: a comparison between needle and cannula when using soft tissue fillers. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 16(9), 866–872. jddonline.com

Dean, L. S., & Huber, W. (2021). The application of blunt-tipped cannulas for soft tissue fillers: safety review. Journal of Dermatologic Surgery, 47(3), 235–242. jddonline.com

Common Questions About This Topic

What is a cannula used for?

Cannulas are used across medical and cosmetic procedures. In hospitals, they help deliver fluids, medications, or oxygen. In clinics, they’re often used to draw blood. In aesthetic treatments, a cannula makes it possible to inject fillers under the skin with more control and less trauma.

What’s the difference between a cannula and a needle?

The difference is the tip. A needle is sharp and cuts through tissue directly. A cannula has a rounded, blunt end that moves through space under the skin, displacing vessels instead of piercing them.

Which types of cannulas are most commonly used?

It depends on the setting. In hospitals, IV cannulas and nasal cannulas are used every day. In cosmetic medicine, blunt-tip cannulas are used to inject fillers beneath the surface of the skin without causing as much bruising.

What kind of cannula is used for tear trough filler?

Under-eye filler is delicate work. Most professionals choose a soft microcannula with a blunt tip, as it allows for careful placement while lowering the risk of bruising or hitting a vessel.

Is a cannula less painful than a needle?

For many people, yes. Because a cannula usually only needs one entry point, and because it moves through the skin instead of piercing it.

How are cannula sizes measured?

Sizes are measured by gauge (which refers to the thickness of the tube) and length.

Is a body piercing cannula the same as a medical cannula?

They’re not the same, even if the name sounds similar. A piercing cannula is designed to create space for inserting jewelry.

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