Activating the sensor right away
Most sensors are designed to be activated immediately after application. They include a built-in warm-up period that allows the sensor to begin providing readings once it has stabilized enough to function.
Delaying activation
Some people choose to wait several hours before activating their sensor.
The idea behind soaking is to give your body and the sensor time to adjust after application:
When a sensor is applied, the surrounding tissue needs time to settle.
Research shows the tissue begins to stabilize within a few hours and becomes much more stable after around 12 hours.
Sensors use enzymes on the sensor filament to react with glucose and generate readings. Giving the sensor time to sit under the skin may help these enzymes start working more consistently.
Overall, delaying the sensor activation is completely optional, but it may be helpful during the first day, to make the readings more consistent during the initial stabilization period.