Salmon DNA treatment is the micro-injection of polynucleotide (PN) chains, purified from salmon DNA, into the skin. It is not a filler: it adds no volume and does not reshape the face. It supports the skin’s own repair processes and targets thin skin, loss of elasticity, superficial scarring and pore visibility. I use it around the eyes, across the face and on the neck and décolletage.
On this page I answer the general questions about the polynucleotide class: what a polynucleotide is, how it differs from PDRN, who it suits, how many sessions are needed, how long the effect lasts and which product families exist. The Rejuran, Plinest/Newest and Nucleofill pages cover their own brands.
What is a polynucleotide (PN)?
Polynucleotides are long chains of nucleotides, the building blocks of DNA. The PN products used in aesthetic medicine are extracted at high purity from salmon DNA.
The literature describes the mechanisms of the two molecules obtained from salmon DNA separately. For the shorter-chain PDRN, action through the adenosine A2A receptor and through the nucleotide “salvage pathway” that cells use to build new DNA has been described 15. The longer-chain PN is reported to play a role in remodelling the extracellular matrix 35. It has been suggested that PN works through a pathway similar to PDRN, but this has not yet been demonstrated scientifically 2. The product does not stay in the tissue: it does its repair work and is metabolised naturally.
A word on the evidence. A 2024 review found that alongside studies reporting improvement in skin texture, wrinkle depth, elasticity and hydration, there are studies reporting limited or no benefit, and it calls for further research 2. A 2025 systematic review of nine studies of low to moderate quality finds the results promising but notes limited consensus on optimal use and a need for high-quality studies 4. That is why this page gives no percentage improvement figures. References 1 and 4 are linked to the manufacturer of a product family mentioned on this page.
What is the difference between PDRN and PN?
Two product groups come from salmon DNA and their names are often mixed up:
- PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide): shorter DNA fragments. It has a long research history in wound healing, where its tissue-repair-supporting and anti-inflammatory effects have been described 1. In the skin it is used for hydration and surface freshness; its effect is shorter-lived than PN.
- PN (polynucleotide): longer chains with higher molecular weight. It is reported to play a role in remodelling the extracellular matrix 35; its effect lasts longer than PDRN.
The difference is not “better or worse”; it is chain length and indication. The literature itself notes that the two terms are used interchangeably and the boundary is not always sharp 3. What the skin needs decides: for surface hydration and freshness PDRN may be enough; for thin skin, elasticity loss and scarring the PN class comes to the fore. All the brand pages on this site are in the PN class.
Who is it suitable for?
- Early thin skin, dark circles and crepey texture under the eyes
- Dry, dull skin that is beginning to lose elasticity
- Superficial acne scarring, enlarged pores and uneven texture
- Early horizontal lines and thinning on the neck and décolletage
- Anyone who does not want volume and wants their face shape left alone
I do not recommend polynucleotides for a patient who needs volume; we talk about filler instead, and about biostimulators where firmness is the need.
Where is it used?
Around the eyes. Under-eye skin is thin and the vessels beneath show through as dark circles; PN aims to soften that appearance by supporting the tissue quality of thin skin.
Around the eyes the decision depends on the cause: if hollowing dominates, mesotherapy is not enough and filler is discussed; if thin skin, dark circles and mild puffiness dominate, HA–amino acid biorevitalisers or polynucleotide products come forward. The product is chosen at the consultation.
I cover the eye area in detail on the Rejuran I page.
Full face. For elasticity loss, superficial scarring, pores and dullness, applied across the face by spread micro-injection.
Neck and décolletage. For horizontal lines and thinning. The whole region — which problem calls for which method — is on the neck and décolletage rejuvenation page.
Session plan and what to expect
- 3 sessions, 3 weeks apart. I plan the same protocol for every product in the polynucleotide class.
- Hydration and a sense of relief after the first session; the tissue effect becomes visible after the second.
- The effect lasts around 9 months. Maintenance is a single session, planned by tissue response rather than by calendar.
I do not assess the result before the three-session course is complete, and I do not do single “trial” sessions. What one session does tells you nothing about what the course will do.
Product families
I describe three product families on this site. All three are PN class; the difference is not the brand but the form and the area.
| Family | Forms | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Rejuran | Healer (full face), I (eye area) | Face, eye area, neck and décolletage |
| Plinest & Newest | Plinest (face), Plinest Eye (eye area), Newest (PN + HA, hydration) | Face, eye area, neck and décolletage |
| Nucleofill | Soft Plus (eye area), Strong Plus (face, neck) | Face, eye area, neck and décolletage |
I do not rank the families against each other; the area and the skin’s need decide. Within this class I work with products that have traceability and a certificate of analysis.
Polynucleotide, mesotherapy and biostimulators: where the lines are
Three classes are often confused. All target skin quality, none is a filler, but their aims differ.
Polynucleotide vs HA mesotherapy
The decision depends on the goal: if hydration and surface glow are the main need, HA-based mesotherapy; if thin skin, loss of elasticity and superficial scarring are the main need, polynucleotide treatment comes to the fore. They do not replace each other and are planned in sequence when needed. The final choice is made at consultation.
HA-based mesotherapy is covered on the mesotherapy page.
Polynucleotide vs biostimulators
When firmness is the request, the decision depends on what the tissue needs: if thinning and loss of skin quality lead, polynucleotide; if the tissue clearly needs structural support, a CaHA- or PLLA-based biostimulator comes to the fore. The final choice is made at consultation.
Biostimulators are covered on the liquid facelift page.
Polynucleotide vs filler. Filler adds volume and shapes; polynucleotide targets skin quality. Under-eye hollows, cheeks and the jawline are the filler’s job: dermal fillers.
The procedure and pain management
The procedure takes 15–20 minutes. The product is placed in the dermis by spread micro-injection or with a cannula; around the eyes a fine needle or cannula is preferred.
Topical anaesthetic cream is standard. Because I am an anaesthesiologist, I treat pain management as a separate part of the procedure. The procedure is well tolerated; a mild pressure sensation is normal.
Aftercare
First 24 hours
- No make-up on the treated area
- No hot showers, sauna, hammam or steam
- Avoid heavy exercise
- No alcohol
- Do not sleep face-down (facial treatments)
- Do not touch the injection points; do not squeeze or massage the bumps
First 48 hours
- Avoid direct and prolonged sun exposure
- No facial massage, skincare treatments or energy-based device treatments
Expected findings Small bumps (papules) at the injection points lasting 12–24 hours are expected and show that the product has settled in the skin. Mild swelling, tenderness or bruising lasting a few days may occur. Around the eyes, bruising is slightly more likely than on the rest of the face.
Safety and anatomy
The product is salmon-derived and produced at high purity. Papules, temporary swelling, tenderness and bruising can occur at injection points. The eye area is densely vascular; using a fine needle or cannula lowers the chance of bruising. PN has a low tendency to hold water and cause swelling.
Polynucleotide is not a substance that is dissolved with an enzyme the way hyaluronic acid fillers are. It does not remain in the tissue; it does its repair work and is then metabolised. Sterile technique is used, and treatment is postponed if there is an active infection in the area.
Because allergic reactions can occur rarely, treatments are carried out under medical supervision.
Regulatory status: This product class consists of products assessed under CE and TİTCK frameworks for the relevant indications. Approval belongs to a product and to a specific indication, not to a technique or to a physician.
Who is not suitable
Treatment is not performed, or is postponed, in the following situations:
- Active infection or inflammation in the treatment area
- Autoimmune disease in an active phase
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Known hypersensitivity to the product components
- Uncontrolled chronic illness
- Untreated bleeding disorder or unregulated anticoagulant use
Because the product is salmon-derived, treatment is also not performed in people with a known serious allergy to fish or salmon protein.
Without being a medical contraindication, I also consider expectation and treatment to be mismatched in these situations:
- People expecting a marked and immediate change from a single session
- People whose actual need is volume — polynucleotide treatment does not add volume, and filler is assessed
- People with advanced tissue laxity who require surgical assessment — no polynucleotide product replaces a thread lift or surgery
- People with under-eye hollowing — polynucleotide does not fill a hollow
Suitability is determined by consultation in every case.
Pricing
Under the applicable regulations, price information cannot be published on our website. The cost of a treatment depends on the product used, the technique chosen and the extent of the treatment. You can call the clinic for detailed information.
Frequently asked questions
What is salmon DNA treatment?
The micro-injection of polynucleotide (PN) chains, purified from salmon DNA, into the skin. It is not a filler and adds no volume; it supports the skin’s own repair processes and targets thin skin, loss of elasticity, superficial scarring and pore visibility.
What is the difference between PDRN and PN?
Both come from salmon DNA; the difference is chain length and indication. PDRN consists of shorter fragments, is used for hydration and surface freshness, and its effect is shorter-lived. PN is longer-chain and comes to the fore for thin skin, elasticity loss and scarring. What the skin needs decides.
Is salmon DNA treatment a filler?
No. Polynucleotide adds no volume, does not reshape the face and does not fill under-eye hollows. It targets skin quality. Where volume is the need, filler is assessed.
How many sessions are needed, and when do results show?
3 sessions, 3 weeks apart. Hydration and a sense of relief come after the first session; the tissue effect becomes visible after the second. I do not assess the result before the course is complete.
How long does it last?
Around 9 months. Maintenance is a single session, planned by how the skin changes rather than by calendar. The product does not remain in the tissue; it is metabolised.
How does polynucleotide differ from HA mesotherapy?
The decision depends on the goal: if hydration and surface glow are the main need, HA-based mesotherapy; if thin skin, loss of elasticity and superficial scarring are the main need, polynucleotide treatment comes to the fore. They do not replace each other and are planned in sequence when needed. The final choice is made at consultation.
How does polynucleotide differ from biostimulators?
When firmness is the request, the decision depends on what the tissue needs: if thinning and loss of skin quality lead, polynucleotide; if the tissue clearly needs structural support, a CaHA- or PLLA-based biostimulator comes to the fore. The final choice is made at consultation.
Can it be done in the same session as Botox?
Yes. Botulinum toxin targets muscle-related lines and polynucleotide targets skin quality; they work on different layers and can be planned in the same session. I set the plan at the consultation.
Can it be done in summer?
Yes. It is not a procedure that removes the upper layer of the skin, so it can also be planned in summer; avoiding direct and prolonged sun for the first 48 hours after treatment is enough.
Can I have it if I have a fish allergy?
The product is extracted at high purity from salmon DNA; even so, I do not treat anyone with a known serious allergy to fish or salmon protein.
What does class III medical device mean?
It is the highest risk class in European Union medical device regulation. The class determines which assessment process a product goes through; it does not indicate how effective the product is.
Who is salmon DNA treatment not suitable for?
It is not performed with active infection or inflammation in the treatment area, autoimmune disease in an active phase, pregnancy and breastfeeding, known hypersensitivity to the product components, uncontrolled chronic illness, or an untreated bleeding disorder or unregulated anticoagulant use; nor with a known serious allergy to fish or salmon protein. Expectation and treatment do not match for people whose actual need is volume, who have advanced tissue laxity or under-eye hollows, or who expect a marked change from a single session. Suitability is determined at consultation.
Planning your visit
My clinic is in Nişantaşı, Şişli, on the European side of Istanbul, approximately 45 minutes from Istanbul Airport.
For salmon DNA treatment I suggest planning a stay of two to three days: arrival, consultation and treatment, and departure. Because this treatment is planned as three sessions three weeks apart, it requires more than one visit. The first session takes place in Istanbul, and we plan the schedule of the following sessions together according to your travel arrangements, with remote follow-up in between. Flying is generally appropriate 24 hours after an injectable treatment.
Consultations are conducted in English. Follow-up after you return home is arranged remotely, and I remain reachable for any questions during the period in which the result develops.
Dr. Ömer Fatih Şahin — Specialist in Anaesthesiology and Reanimation Diploma Registration No: 113606
Published: 22 February 2026 · Last updated: 2026-09-22 This content has been medically reviewed by Dr. Ömer Fatih Şahin.
References
- Squadrito F, Bitto A, Irrera N, et al. Pharmacological Activity and Clinical Use of PDRN. Front Pharmacol. 2017;8:224. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28491036/ — According to the conflict-of-interest statement updated by a 2022 correction, one author received research support from the manufacturer and some authors are co-inventors on patents concerning PDRN use; the work is manufacturer-linked.
- Lee KWA, Chan KWL, Lee A, et al. Polynucleotides in Aesthetic Medicine: A Review of Current Practices and Perceived Effectiveness. Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(15):8224. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39125793/
- Marques C, Porcello A, Cerrano M, et al. From Polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRNs) to Polynucleotides (PNs): Bridging the Gap Between Scientific Definitions, Molecular Insights, and Clinical Applications of Multifunctional Biomolecules. Biomolecules. 2025;15(1):148. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15010148 — Some of the authors are employed by industry organisations.
- Lampridou S, Bassett S, Cavallini M, Christopoulos G. The Effectiveness of Polynucleotides in Esthetic Medicine: A Systematic Review. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025;24(2):e16721. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39645667/ — One of the authors serves on the manufacturer’s R&D steering board and tutors in the manufacturer’s education activities; the work is manufacturer-linked.
- Kim ST. Comparison of Polynucleotide and Polydeoxyribonucleotide in Dermatology: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Perspectives. Pharmaceutics. 2025;17(8):1024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40871045/