Rejuran I, also known as “Rejuran Eye”, is the form of salmon-DNA polynucleotide (PN) prepared for the eye area; according to the manufacturer it is formulated to be more fluid so that it spreads through thin skin. It is not a filler: it adds no volume and does not fill an under-eye hollow. It aims to improve dark circles, crepey texture and fine lines by supporting the tissue quality of thin under-eye skin. I use this product around the eyes.
The general framework of the polynucleotide class is on the salmon DNA (polynucleotide) treatment page; the full-face form of the Rejuran family is on the Rejuran Healer page. Here I cover the eye area only.
Dark circles are not always a hollow
Under-eye darkness has at least three sources: thinning skin that lets the vessel network beneath show through, increased pigment in the skin itself, and the shadow cast by a hollow. Only one of these — thin skin and visible vessels — is the polynucleotide’s job. Rejuran I aims to soften the vascular show-through and smooth fine lines by supporting the tissue quality of thin skin. If there is a hollow, it will not lift the shadow; if the cause is pigment, it will not lighten the colour.
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.
Where a hollow is the main issue I do not recommend Rejuran I; for that patient we talk about under-eye light filler. The HA–amino acid option is covered on the under-eye mesotherapy page.
Blood tests first
For a patient who comes in with dark circles, I ask for ferritin and B12 before any injection. Iron deficiency is one of the causes of under-eye darkness; if the source is internal we correct that first, otherwise the injection is a temporary cover. Sleep, allergies and stress also affect the eye area; I assess skin quality together with these, and the injection is one part of that assessment.
How does it work?
Rejuran I is placed in the dermis of the under-eye and periorbital area with a fine needle or cannula. Long-chain polynucleotides are reported to form a water-holding network that provides structural support and to play a role in remodelling the extracellular matrix 2. It has been suggested that the receptor mechanism described for short-chain PDRN also applies to polynucleotides, but this has not yet been demonstrated scientifically 1. The product does not remain in the tissue; it does its repair work and is metabolised.
To be open about the evidence: in a randomised split-face study of 27 people around the eyes, polynucleotide was injected on one side and non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid on the other; improvement was reported on both sides, global aesthetic scores did not differ significantly between sides, and the polynucleotide treatment was found to be effective and safe 3. Reference 3 is linked to the manufacturer of a product family mentioned on this page. That study used three injections two weeks apart; my plan is three sessions three weeks apart. Alongside studies reporting improvement, the literature also includes studies reporting limited benefit 1. That is why I give no percentages.
Who is it suitable for?
- Thinned under-eye skin with visible vessels
- Dark circles caused by thin skin
- Early crow’s feet and crepey texture under the eyes
- Those who do not want volume under the eyes, or are not suitable for filler
Session plan and what to expect
- 3 sessions, 3 weeks apart.
- 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.
Rejuran I or Rejuran Healer?
The decision depends on the area: if the eye area is the priority, Rejuran I; if the full face, neck and décolletage are the priority, Rejuran Healer comes to the fore. Both can be planned in the same session. The final choice is made at consultation.
The procedure and pain management
The procedure takes 15–20 minutes. 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 eye area is sensitive; the procedure is well tolerated and 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. The eye area is densely vascular; using a fine needle or cannula lowers the chance of bruising. Polynucleotide has a low tendency to hold water and cause swelling. Papules, temporary swelling and tenderness can occur at injection points. Polynucleotide is not a substance that is dissolved with an enzyme the way hyaluronic acid fillers are; it does not remain in the tissue and is metabolised. Sterile technique is used, and treatment is postponed if there is an active infection.
Because allergic reactions can occur rarely, treatments are carried out under medical supervision.
Product and regulatory status: Rejuran I has been assessed under CE and TİTCK frameworks for its relevant indications. Approval belongs to the 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 with under-eye hollowing — polynucleotide does not fill a hollow
- People with pronounced under-eye bags — bags come from fat pads or fluid and are not resolved by skin quality
Where an under-eye hollow is the main issue, I do not recommend Rejuran I.
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
How does Rejuran I differ from tear trough filler?
Light filler fills the under-eye hollow with hyaluronic acid and adds volume. Rejuran I adds no volume; it aims to soften vessel show-through and fine lines by supporting the tissue quality of thin skin. If a hollow leads, filler; if thin skin and dark circles lead, polynucleotide. Neither replaces the other.
Will Rejuran I get rid of dark circles completely?
No. If the darkness comes from thin skin it can become lighter; if it comes from pigment or a hollow, this product does not resolve it. That is why I separate the cause at consultation and, where needed, ask for blood tests first.
Why are blood tests requested before treating dark circles?
Iron deficiency is one of the causes of under-eye darkness. If ferritin and B12 are low, an injection is a temporary cover; we correct the source first, then look at the skin.
Does Rejuran I help with eye bags?
Pronounced bags come from fat pads or fluid and are not resolved by skin quality. Rejuran I can improve the look of thinned, mildly puffy skin; it does not shrink a bag.
Planning your visit
My clinic is in Nişantaşı, Şişli, on the European side of Istanbul, approximately 45 minutes from Istanbul Airport.
For a Rejuran I 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: 2026-09-21 This content has been medically reviewed by Dr. Ömer Fatih Şahin.
References
- 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/
- 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/
- Lee YJ, Kim HT, Lee YJ, et al. Comparison of the effects of polynucleotide and hyaluronic acid fillers on periocular rejuvenation: a randomized, double-blind, split-face trial. J Dermatolog Treat. 2022;33(1):254–260. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2020.1748857 — PMID 32248707. The study was supported by the manufacturer of the product tested.