What is Polynucleotides Treatment?

Polynucleotides are an injectable treatment derived from purified salmon DNA that stimulates your skin’s own repair processes. They improve skin quality, texture, and hydration from within, with results building over four to six weeks.

Polynucleotides have become one of the most talked-about treatments in UK aesthetics over the past couple of years, and the search data reflects it. But the explanations are often either too clinical or too vague. Here’s a plain-English guide to what they are, how they work, and whether they’re right for you.

What are polynucleotides?

Polynucleotides (sometimes written as PDRN, or referred to by brand names like Plinest, Rejuran, or Plenhyage) are fragments of purified DNA derived from salmon sperm. That sounds unusual, but salmon DNA is highly compatible with human tissue, which is why it’s been used in wound healing and regenerative medicine for decades.

In aesthetic treatments, a polynucleotide solution is injected into the skin, where the DNA fragments are absorbed by cells and used as building blocks for tissue repair. The treatment signals the skin to produce more collagen and elastin, reduce inflammation, and generally improve the quality and resilience of the tissue.

Unlike fillers, polynucleotides don’t add volume. Unlike botox, they don’t affect muscle movement. The effect is entirely about improving the skin itself.

How do polynucleotides work?

When polynucleotides are injected into the skin, they interact with receptors on the cell surface that trigger a repair response. The cells essentially interpret the DNA fragments as a signal that tissue damage has occurred and respond by accelerating regeneration.

This means the treatment works at a cellular level to improve skin quality from the inside out. The visible results, better texture, improved hydration, reduced fine lines, and more even tone, are the surface expression of a biological process happening beneath.

Results don’t appear immediately. The regenerative process takes time, and most people see gradual improvement over four to six weeks, with the full effect of a course visible at around three months.

Polynucleotides under eyes: why they’re particularly popular here

One of the most common uses of polynucleotides in UK clinics is for the under-eye area, and this is where many people first hear about them.

The skin under the eye is thin, delicate, and prone to showing signs of tiredness, ageing, and dehydration particularly quickly. Polynucleotides are well suited here because they improve the quality of the skin itself rather than adding volume, which in such a delicate area carries risks.

For people with dark circles caused by thin or translucent skin, polynucleotides can help by thickening and improving the quality of the under-eye tissue. For hollowing, where the under-eye area looks sunken, tear trough filler may be more appropriate. A practitioner can advise which concern is better addressed by which treatment.

Results under the eyes tend to build slowly. Most people notice a difference at around four to six weeks, with continued improvement over the following months.

Who are polynucleotides for?

Polynucleotides suit a wide range of people, but they’re particularly well matched to those whose main concern is skin quality rather than volume or movement.

Good candidates include:

People with dull, tired, or dehydrated-looking skin who want to improve the skin itself rather than mask signs of fatigue
Those with fine lines caused by dehydration or loss of skin quality rather than deep structural wrinkles
People looking for an improvement in the under-eye area, particularly crepiness, darkness, or thin-looking skin
Anyone who has tried surface-level skincare and wants something that works at a deeper level
Those who want a natural approach that uses the skin’s own biology rather than adding external volume

It’s also a treatment that works well alongside others. Polynucleotides are commonly combined with profhilo, skin boosters, or microneedling for a more comprehensive skin quality improvement.

Polynucleotides vs Profhilo: what’s the difference?

This is one of the most common questions about polynucleotides, and it’s worth answering clearly.

Both treatments improve skin quality rather than adding volume. Both involve injections into the skin. Both produce gradual results that build over several weeks. But they work through completely different mechanisms.

Profhilo uses a high concentration of hyaluronic acid (HA) to intensely hydrate the skin and stimulate collagen and elastin. The improvement is primarily in hydration, firmness, and the overall bio-remodelling of the skin.

Polynucleotides work through cellular signalling, using DNA fragments to trigger the skin’s own repair processes. The improvement is in regeneration and skin quality at a cellular level, which can produce more targeted results for concerns like thin under-eye skin or sun damage.

In practice, many people benefit from both, and practitioners often use them together. If you’re choosing between them, the main considerations are your specific skin concern and your budget.

What to expect from treatment

A standard polynucleotides course involves two to three sessions spaced two to four weeks apart. Sessions take around 30 to 45 minutes depending on the areas treated.

The injections are typically given through a series of small injection points or via a technique called retrograde threading, where the product is deposited in a thin line beneath the skin. Some practitioners use a cannula (a blunt-tipped needle) for certain areas to reduce bruising.

Some mild redness, swelling, or small bumps at injection sites is normal immediately after and settles within 24 to 48 hours. Most people return to normal activities the same day.

Results build over four to six weeks after each session, with the full course result visible at around three months. Maintenance sessions every six to twelve months help sustain the improvement.

How much do polynucleotides cost?

Polynucleotides typically cost between £200 and £400 per session in the UK. A full course of two to three sessions would put the total investment at £400 to £1,200, depending on the clinic, the number of areas treated, and the brand of product used. London clinics tend to sit at the higher end of that range.

Frequently asked questions

What are polynucleotides?

Polynucleotides are injectable DNA fragments derived from purified salmon DNA. When injected into the skin, they stimulate the skin’s own repair and renewal processes, improving collagen production, hydration, and overall skin quality.

How long do polynucleotides take to work?

Most people notice gradual improvement from four to six weeks after their first session. The full effect of a course becomes visible at around three months.

How long do polynucleotides last?

Results typically last six to twelve months. Maintenance sessions once or twice a year help sustain the improvement.

What are the side effects of polynucleotides?

Side effects are generally mild. Temporary redness, swelling, and minor bruising at the injection sites are the most common. These settle within 24 to 48 hours for most people. The treatment has a strong safety record given its longstanding use in regenerative medicine.

How much do polynucleotides cost in the UK?

Expect to pay between £200 and £400 per session at a reputable UK clinic, with most people needing two to three sessions for a full course.

Ready to find a polynucleotides clinic near you? Browse providers across the UK on Glowmi.