An activation/retraction mechanism for a lancing device comprising: - a pusher (10; 20; 30; 40; 50) comprising a first biasing member (11; 66; 51) arranged to displace the pusher (10; 20; 30; 40; 50) in a distal direction; and - a lancet holder (15; 25; 35; 45; 55) comprising a lancet for penetrating the skin of a subject, and a second biasing member (17; 47; 57) arranged to displace the lancet holder (15; 25; 35; 45; 55) in a proximal direction; wherein the lancet holder (15; 25; 35; 45; 55) and the pusher (10; 20; 30; 40; 50) are arranged in a housing (12; 42) of the lancing device in such a way that a distal end (13; 23; 33; 43; 53) of the pusher (10; 20; 30; 40; 50) engages a proximal end (18; 28; 38; 48; 58) of the lancet holder (15; 25; 35; 45; 55) to push the lancet holder (15; 25; 35; 45; 55) in a distal direction when the first biasing member (11; 66; 51) displaces the pusher (10; 20; 30; 40; 50) distally, wherein the directions of displacement of the pusher (10; 20; 30; 40; 50) and the lancet holder (15; 25; 35; 45; 55) are substantially parallel to a longitudinal extension of the housing (12; 42), characterised in that the distal end (13; 23; 33; 43; 53) of the pusher (10; 20; 30; 40; 50) and the proximal end (18; 28; 38; 48; 58) of the lancet holder (15; 25; 35; 45; 55) are arranged to disengage from each other when the pusher (10; 20; 30; 40; 50) has been displaced distally a predetermined length from its initial position, whereby the lancet holder (15; 25; 35; 45; 55) is allowed to return to its initial position under influence of the second biasing member (17; 47; 57), and an engagement surface of the proximal end (18; 28; 38; 48; 58) of the lancet holder (15; 25; 35; 45; 55) is perpendicular to the displacement direction of the lancet holder (15; 25; 35; 45; 55). - a pusher (10; 20; 30; 40; 50) comprising a first biasing member (11; 66; 51) arranged to displace the pusher (10; 20; 30; 40; 50) in a distal direction; and - a lancet holder (15; 25; 35; 45; 55) comprising a lancet for penetrating the skin of a subject, and a second biasing member (17; 47; 57) arranged to displace the lancet holder (15; 25; 35; 45; 55) in a proximal direction; wherein the lancet holder (15; 25; 35; 45; 55) and the pusher (10; 20; 30; 40; 50) are arranged in a housing (12; 42) of the lancing device in such a way that a distal end (13; 23; 33; 43; 53) of the pusher (10; 20; 30; 40; 50) engages a proximal end (18; 28; 38; 48; 58) of the lancet holder (15; 25; 35; 45; 55) to push the lancet holder (15; 25; 35; 45; 55) in a distal direction when the first biasing member (11; 66; 51) displaces the pusher (10; 20; 30; 40; 50) distally, wherein the directions of displacement of the pusher (10; 20; 30; 40; 50) and the lancet holder (15; 25; 35; 45; 55) are substantially parallel to a longitudinal extension of the housing (12; 42), characterised in that the distal end (13; 23; 33; 43; 53) of the pusher (10; 20; 30; 40; 50) and the proximal end (18; 28; 38; 48; 58) of the lancet holder (15; 25; 35; 45; 55) are arranged to disengage from each other when the pusher (10; 20; 30; 40; 50) has been displaced distally a predetermined length from its initial position, whereby the lancet holder (15; 25; 35; 45; 55) is allowed to return to its initial position under influence of the second biasing member (17; 47; 57), and an engagement surface of the proximal end (18; 28; 38; 48; 58) of the lancet holder (15; 25; 35; 45; 55) is perpendicular to the displacement direction of the lancet holder (15; 25; 35; 45; 55). <EOS>