Who would have thought that of all living creatures, our DNA could be very similar to that from… salmon sperm? It is their DNA, running through polynucleotides, which is the latest big news in aesthetics.
Polynucleotides may sound like a mouthful, but that hasn’t stopped them from being the most talked-about treatment recently. And the fact that the procedure involves injecting salmon sperm into the face is not surprising!
It’s a regenerative treatment that involves injecting fragments of DNA derived from the salmon. “The DNA from these cells has a very strong stimulation and repair effect on the skin.”
So, as unusual as it sounds, salmon sperm can help boost collagen production and improve skin texture. You’ll see polynucleotides taking top billing on treatment menus, but you won’t see any obvious signs on people’s faces.
There is mostly no downtime, and the result is healthier, more youthful skin. These injectable collagens firm and brighten skin and plump out wrinkles without creating a “frozen” or “filled” look.
This is a healthy anti-aging treatment for those who want their skin to act younger or to help heal conditions such as eczema (it’s a treatment that began its life in the medical world, where many aesthetic treatments start). It makes skin look radiant, youthful, and strong without changing your appearance.
They communicate with our cells to increase their number of fibroblasts, the cells that produce everything we need for bouncy, stretchy skin: collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. These, in turn, then get put out in greater amounts. On top of that, polynucleotides are anti-oxidant and anti- inflammatory, protecting from internal and external damage. Some doctors describe them as “medicine for the skin” and they are, in more ways than one:
“Polynucleotides were originally used medicinally for inflammatory skin conditions such as severe eczema and psoriasis.”
They’ve been used in tissue and cartilage regenerative medicine for 40 years and have been in many successful skin trials. So, as unusual as it sounds, salmon sperm DNA can help boost collagen production and improve the health and look of your skin.
We caught up with award winning beauty influencer Mala Ungelson to learn more about the treatment.
“By nourishing my skin’s cells with DNA fragments, it supports, repairs and boosts radiance—no toxins here, just skin science!
And as a ‘no-tox’ girl, this choice was perfect for me.
Polynucleotides work by enhancing skin health at a cellular level, improving hydration, elasticity, and firmness while smoothing those pesky lines over time.
I’m already noticing an increase in brightness and resilience, and with full results expected in 4-6 weeks”
Mala Ungelson
1. So, what are polynucleotides?
Polynucleotides come as an injectable serum derived from the DNA of salmon or trout sperm (very similar to human DNA). They are proteins that act like messenger molecules. They are called “biostimulators” – they kick-start skin regeneration to repair and replace damage. They communicate with our cells to increase their number of fibroblasts, the cells that produce everything we need for bouncy, stretchy skin: collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. These, in turn, then get churned out in greater amounts. On top of that, polynucleotides are anti-oxidant and anti- inflammatory, protecting from internal and external damage.
2. Where can you have them?
Basically anywhere, which is another thing that sets polynucleotides apart from hyaluronic acid skin boosters. The latter are generally not meant for the bonier parts of the face or body, but polynucleotides can be used all over the face and neck, including the jawline and cheekbones, as well as around the eyes and lips, to regenerate knees, elbows, and décolleté, to minimise scars, and even on the scalp and eyebrows to improve hair quality and the vulva to increase hydration and lubrication.
3. What are the benefits?
They improve elasticity, soften wrinkles, scars, and brown spots, and tighten pores. On the body, they minimize crinkly skin and stretch marks. They have a significant hydrating effect through the generation of more of your own hyaluronic acid, and they calm inflammation, making skin look and feel healthier.
4. Is it true you can treat inflammatory skin conditions with them?
Because polynucleotides bring down inflammation in the skin, they can bring down rosacea- induced redness as well as, as we have seen, other inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
5. Can they be used for treating dark circles under the eyes?
Because polynucleotides thicken the skin, dark circles are covered, and eyes look fresher and less tired and appear much brighter. For eyes, polynucleotides are a game-changer.
6. Are polynucleotides an alternative to lip fillers?
Polynucleotides do not have a plumping effect and are not injected into the actual lip. So, they are not an equivalent to lip fillers, but polynucleotides are great to improve smoker’s lines without overfilling and distorting the lips.
7. Who can’t have polynucleotides?
They are not suitable for pregnant women and for those with active herpes. As they are fish-derived, vegans and vegetarians will want to steer clear, as well as those with a fish allergy.
8. How many polynucleotide treatments do you need, and what do polynucleotides cost?
You’ll pay roughly between £300 per treatment (it depends on the size of the treated area and the location of your clinic), and you’ll need two to three sessions spaced two weeks apart.
9. What do polynucleotides treatments involve?
You can either have them as multiple micro-droplet injections or with a cannula, as then fewer entry points are used. Numbing cream can be used for comfort. Appointments take around 45 minutes.
10. What is the downtime after a polynucleotides treatment?
You can exercise and wear makeup the next day. Overall, downtime and risks beyond potential bruising and bumpy swelling are minimal.
11. When do you see the results of polynucleotides, and how long do they last?
Where other skin boosters can take around three months before you see results come through, polynucleotides make skin glowier and healthier in the space of about six weeks, while many people see some results after the first session. Those continue to improve over three months, with final results lasting six to nine months before you need a top-up.
