Polynucleotide skin treatment has moved from Korean clinics into Australian ones over the past few years, and it is now offered by a number of Perth clinics. It is also one of the more commonly misunderstood options in cosmetic medicine. It is not a volumising treatment and it is not a resurfacing device. This article explains what polynucleotides are, what happens during a session, what the recovery involves, and who the treatment is not suitable for.
What polynucleotides are
Polynucleotides are chains of nucleotides, the building blocks that make up DNA. The polynucleotides used in cosmetic medicine are purified fragments derived from salmon DNA, chosen because their structure is highly compatible with human tissue.
The purification process removes the proteins that would otherwise cause an immune reaction, leaving short, sterile DNA fragments suspended in a gel. What remains is not salmon tissue in any meaningful sense. It is a biological polymer that the body recognises and gradually breaks down.
Why it is also called salmon DNA skin treatment
Polynucleotide skin treatment is also referred to as PN therapy, salmon DNA skin treatment, or by the brand name of the particular product used. These describe the same category of product. Salmon DNA skin treatment is the most common plain-English name for it, and it is accurate, because salmon is where the source material comes from.
Where Rejuran fits in
Most people searching for polynucleotide skin treatment are looking for Rejuran, which is the best known polynucleotide product in Australia and the one most often asked about in Perth clinics. It is a brand name rather than a category, in much the same way that a particular laser platform is one device among several. Other polynucleotide products exist and the underlying category is the same.
If you have been comparing polynucleotide skin treatment options, it is worth reading about Rejuran at our Perth clinic, which covers how we assess suitability and what a course typically involves.
How polynucleotide skin treatment works
This is where polynucleotide skin treatment differs from most other options, and it is worth being precise about.
Polynucleotide skin treatment does not work by occupying space under the skin. Nothing is being added to change the shape or contour of a feature. Instead, the polynucleotide gel is placed into the upper layers of the skin, where it is studied for its capacity to interact with fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen, elastin and the other structural components of the dermis.
Research on polynucleotides in aesthetic medicine is still developing, and the mechanism is better described as supporting the skin’s existing repair activity than as producing a specific result. Any effect is gradual, builds across a course of sessions, and varies considerably between individuals.
What polynucleotide skin treatment is used for
Practitioners generally consider polynucleotide skin treatment where the concern relates to skin quality rather than to volume or contour. That includes:
- Skin texture and the appearance of fine surface lines
- Dehydrated skin that does not respond well to topical products alone
- Thin or fragile skin, including the under-eye area
- Skin that has been affected by long-term sun exposure
- Overall dullness and the appearance of tone
Whether it is appropriate for any particular person depends on an assessment of their skin, their history and what they are hoping to change. Some concerns are better addressed by energy-based options such as Laser Genesis or by skin needling, and sometimes a combination is more appropriate than any single approach.
What happens during a treatment
Polynucleotide skin treatment begins with a consultation with a registered health practitioner. At our Perth clinic that appointment happens before any treatment is booked. That covers your medical history, any allergies, current skincare and medications, and an examination of the skin itself. Not everyone who asks about polynucleotides turns out to be a suitable candidate.
If you proceed, a topical anaesthetic is usually applied and left to take effect. The gel is then placed into the skin through a series of small injections across the treatment area. Most people describe the sensation as sharp but brief. It is not a comfortable procedure, and the under-eye area is generally reported as the most sensitive.
A session commonly takes 30 to 45 minutes including preparation time. Practitioners typically plan a course of three to four sessions spaced two to four weeks apart, followed by maintenance. The exact plan depends on the individual assessment.
Recovery and aftercare
Recovery from polynucleotide skin treatment is short but visible. Expect small raised bumps at each injection point immediately afterwards. These are the deposits of gel and they usually settle within several hours to a couple of days, although some people find they last longer. Redness and swelling are common on the day. Bruising is possible, particularly around the eyes.
For the first 24 hours, avoid makeup over the treated area, heat including saunas and hot showers, strenuous exercise, and alcohol. For the first week, avoid direct sun exposure and use a broad spectrum sunscreen daily. Your practitioner will give you instructions specific to the area treated.
Plan the timing around your commitments. If you have an event, allow at least a week, and longer if you bruise easily. Perth summers are another consideration, since sun exposure needs to be limited while the skin settles.
Risks and who it is not suitable for
Every procedure that involves injecting into the skin carries risk, and this one is no exception.
Common effects include injection-site reactions, swelling, redness, bruising and tenderness. Small firm bumps at injection sites are expected and usually temporary, but occasionally persist and need review. As with any procedure that breaks the skin, there is a risk of infection, and a small risk of an inflammatory reaction to the product.
Polynucleotide skin treatment is generally not appropriate if you:
- Have a known allergy to fish or seafood, which is a genuine contraindication given the
source material
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have an active skin infection or inflammation in the area
- Have an autoimmune condition, without discussing it with your treating doctor first
- Are taking medication that affects bleeding or immune function
This list is not exhaustive. A proper assessment exists precisely to identify the factors that a general article cannot anticipate.
How polynucleotides compare to other options
Polynucleotide skin treatment sits alongside, rather than replaces, the other approaches to skin quality.
Skin needling creates controlled micro-injury to prompt a repair response, and works on texture and scarring. Energy-based options such as Ultraformer MPT 4 target laxity at a structural level rather than skin quality at the surface. Topical vitamin A, vitamin C and daily sunscreen remain the foundation that everything else is built on, and no in-clinic treatment compensates for their absence.
Where polynucleotides are considered, they are usually part of a sequence rather than a standalone answer. Given how much ultraviolet exposure most Perth skin has accumulated, sun damage is often the more pressing thing to address first. The order in which treatments are done matters, and that is a consultation-level decision rather than something to plan from an article.
Frequently asked questions
Is polynucleotide skin treatment the same as a volumising treatment?
No. They work differently and address different concerns. Polynucleotides do not add volume or change the contour of a feature. They are placed into the skin itself, and the intent is to support skin quality rather than to alter shape. Which of the two is relevant, if either, is a matter for assessment rather than something to decide in advance.
Is Rejuran the same as polynucleotide treatment?
Rejuran is a polynucleotide product, so it sits within the category rather than alongside it. It is the most widely recognised name in Australia, which is why many people search for it specifically. If you have been researching Rejuran, you have been researching polynucleotides.
How long before anything is noticeable?
Changes with polynucleotides are gradual rather than immediate. Most protocols run across several sessions, and any effect builds over that course rather than appearing after the first. Outcomes vary between individuals, and some people notice less change than others.
Does polynucleotide skin treatment hurt?
Most people find it uncomfortable. A topical anaesthetic is generally applied beforehand, which reduces but does not remove the sensation. The under-eye area is commonly reported as the most sensitive. Discuss comfort options with your practitioner at the consultation.
Can it be used under the eyes?
The under-eye area is one of the regions where polynucleotides are commonly considered, because the skin there is thin and responds poorly to some other approaches. It is also the most technically demanding area and the most likely to bruise, so practitioner experience matters. Suitability is assessed individually.
What should I ask at a consultation?
Ask what the practitioner is assessing and why, what alternatives they considered, what the realistic range of outcomes is, what the risks are for your particular skin, how many sessions they anticipate, and what happens if you do not see the change you were hoping for. A practitioner should be comfortable answering all of these.
Book a consultation about skin quality
If you are researching polynucleotide skin treatment in Perth, the useful next step is an assessment rather than a booking for a specific procedure. Our practitioners at Everything Skin by Dr Salon in Bicton, in Perth’s western suburbs, will examine your skin, discuss what is realistic, and talk through the options that suit your circumstances, which may or may not include polynucleotides.
Important information
This information is general in nature and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for a consultation with a registered health practitioner. Outcomes vary between individuals and no result is guaranteed. Some treatment options can only be discussed during a consultation with a registered health practitioner. All procedures carry risks, which will be explained to you during your consultation. Always seek advice from a qualified health practitioner about your individual circumstances.
