What Are Polynucleotide Injections: The Revolutionary Treatment for Radiant Skin

Polynucleotides: A Comprehensive guide

You may have noticed the buzz online or in magazines about polynucleotide treatments—sometimes called “Salmon DNA injections”—and wondered, what’s all the fuss about? Is this another filler trend? How safe are polynucleotides, and what can they actually do for your skin?

In this blog post, we’ll demystify polynucleotide injections, explain what makes them unique and why we currently use them in our clinic, and share our expert take on why they’re making waves. If you’ve been searching for the perfect skin boost, this might just be the treatment you’ve been waiting for.

So what are polynucleotides?

Without diving too deep into the science, our Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Amar Ghattaura, recently shed light on why polynucleotides are generating so much buzz online:

“Polynucleotides are derived from fish DNA, they are an injection-based treatment and are revolutionising skincare by addressing skin concerns from within and helping to restore a naturally radiant, youthful complexion. They work by stimulating the production of collagen and elastin that your body loses as we age.”

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The production of collagen and elastin begins to decline as early as our mid-20s, and this continues to accelerate over time. This can be further impacted by hormonal changes such as menopause. 

But how do Polynucleotide injections work? (Here’s the science bit!)

After being injected, the DNA fragments are gradually absorbed by your skin. Once integrated, they signal your skin in three ways. First, they encourage fibroblast cells to multiply and enhance their activity. This boost in cell renewal leads to increased collagen production, better hydration, and an overall radiant glow. As a result, your skin becomes more resilient, with improved elasticity and a reduction in wrinkles.

Second, these fragments act as powerful antioxidants that eliminate free radicals (environmental damage from pollutants and Uv damage) , which can cause cellular damage.

Third, Polynucleotides work by rejuvenating the skin at a cellular level, stimulating the natural production of these vital proteins to promote healing and anti-ageing effects, they promote wound healing, signalling your skin to initiate a repair process. This can help improve scars, minimise stretch marks, and enhance skin texture. As your skin focuses on repair, any discolouration diminishes, resulting in a more uniform complexion. Additionally, polynucleotides can provide a slight increase in volume and tightening effects overall.

The effectiveness of the polynucleotide treatment can vary based on several factors, including the level of skin ageing before the procedure, your skin’s ability to regenerate healthy tissue when stimulated, and your overall lifestyle choices Such as smoking and diet.

What Areas Can Be Treated With Polynucleotides?

Polynucleotides can be used to treat many areas and can even help with hair loss. However, the main treatment areas that we use Polynucleotides are the following:

Around the eyes: Under-eye treatment can help with puffiness and dark circles while smoothing crow’s feet and fine lines and wrinkles.

Around the Neck: When people are looking for anti-ageing treatment, they tend to concentrate on the face and often neglect the neck area.

The neck area is prone to environmental damage from the sun and is often forgotten when it comes to skincare. Polynucleotides can massively improve these signs of ageing on our necks by improving the elasticity of the skin and boosting collagen production, which helps reduce the signs of fine lines and wrinkles, giving a smoother appearance and a more youthful look.

Skin blemishes, sun damage and uneven skin tone: Polynucleotide injections activate the skin’s natural repair mechanisms, which can help regenerate damaged tissues caused by UV and sun damage. Polynucleotides can significantly improve the texture of the skin, making them an excellent option for those dealing with acne scars, enlarged pores, or other textural irregularities

How do Polynucleotides differ to injectable skin boosters, like Profhilo?

Polynucleotides and skin boosters like Profhilo both work wonders for hydrating your skin, but they’re not quite the same. Polynucleotides go a step further by actively repairing and regenerating the skin from within, boosting elasticity, plumping up sagging or dehydrated areas, and improving overall skin health. Profhilo, on the other hand, is brilliant for making your skin look smoother and brighter, giving a more immediate glow.

Both deliver fantastic anti-ageing results—it’s just about choosing the right treatment for your unique skin needs!

Are polynucleotides the same as dermal fillers?

Simply put no, as people may get confused with injectable treatments and presume they are all just types of facial fillers this is not the case.

Dermal fillers are for adding volume to specific areas, helping to smooth out lines and wrinkles and are good at replacing loss of bone density and, done correctly, can help give the appearance of a more youthful look.

Polynucleotides, on the other hand, stimulate your skin’s natural repairing process and improve skin elasticity, hydration, and overall skin quality from within. While fillers offer immediate, targeted results, polynucleotide injections focus on long-term skin regeneration, helping to rebuild collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid for healthier, firmer skin over time.

Can polynucleotide injections replace the need for anti-wrinkle injections?

Wrinkles are often categorized into two types: Dynamic Wrinkles and Static Wrinkles. Dynamic Wrinkles appear from repetitive facial movements, such as smile lines or crow’s feet, while Static Wrinkles are caused by the natural loss of collagen and elasticity in the skin, forming even when your face is at rest.

Polynucleotides are not a direct replacement for anti-wrinkle injections, but they can complement them beautifully. While anti-wrinkle treatments tackle Dynamic Wrinkles by relaxing facial muscles, polynucleotide injections work differently—stimulating your skin’s natural production of collagen and elastin. This helps to improve skin texture, elasticity, and hydration, making them particularly effective for Static Wrinkles.

Polynucleotides are also great for delicate areas like around the eyes, where they promote regeneration and boost skin quality, giving a softer, more youthful appearance. While Dynamic Wrinkles may see slight improvement, combining these treatments can offer a more comprehensive approach to achieving smoother, healthier-looking skin.

How long after treatment will it take before I notice the effects of polynucleotides?

You can start to see some benefits from polynucleotides within a few weeks, but it’s around the 12-week mark from your first treatment when you will start to see the benefits from the injections as they get to work at a cellular level. You can usually expect polynucleotide treatments to last 6 months before needing any maintenance or follow-up treatments. 

Are polynucleotide treatment safe?

As with any injections, some side effects can occur, common side effects include mild swelling, bruising or redness at injection sites, which subside quickly. The treatments are generally well-tolerated. Polynucleotides are not suitable for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding and contain animal-derived ingredients, making them unsuitable for vegetarians, vegans, or individuals with fish allergies.

In conclusion.

Polynucleotides are definitely one of the latest and greatest in the aesthetic treatments world for anti-ageing treatments and are looking to be the future in non-invasive skin rejuvenation, offering a scientifically proven way to improve your skin’s elasticity, hydration and texture.

Polynucleotides are great alongside other aesthetic treatments, such as Photofabulous or CO2 laser treatments, in helping you achieve your skin goals, and leaving your skin looking and feeling amazing! 

If you have any questions about polynucleotides, get in touch with us and book yourself in for a complimentary consultation in our clinic to discuss your treatment plan. We will provide you with everything you need to know to achieve your skincare goals and feel confident in knowing you’re in safe hands.