Polynucleotides › The Science
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Polynucleotides, in depth.

A regenerative treatment that works at a cellular level — helping the skin repair and rebuild its own quality, particularly in the delicate under-eye area. Here is the biology, the evidence, and an honest account of what to expect.

The mechanism

Repair, from within the skin

Polynucleotides are a regenerative treatment. Rather than hydrating or filling, they work at a cellular level — helping the skin repair, renew and rebuild its own quality.

Polynucleotides are purified fragments of DNA, most often derived from salmon or trout and refined to a high degree of purity. Placed into the skin, they act as biological signals: they encourage the skin's own fibroblasts — the cells that make collagen and elastin — to become more active, support the formation of new blood vessels to improve microcirculation, and calm inflammation. The effect is a gradual improvement in the skin's underlying quality and resilience.

01 — Signal

Fibroblasts activated

Polynucleotides stimulate the skin's fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin, supporting renewal from within.

02 — Support

Circulation & calm

They encourage microcirculation and have an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant action — improving the environment in which skin renews.

03 — Renew

Quality rebuilt

Over a course, the skin becomes better hydrated, firmer and more resilient — a regenerative improvement rather than an added layer.

The science of polynucleotides
  • Polynucleotides act largely through activation of the adenosine A2A receptor and the body's nucleotide salvage pathway, driving fibroblast activity and tissue repair.
  • Laboratory and clinical work links polynucleotides to improved collagen and elastin activity, better microcirculation and reduced inflammation.
  • A 2025 systematic review found promising improvements in wrinkles, skin texture and elasticity across the studies to date — while noting the evidence is still of low-to-moderate quality.
Lampridou S et al., J Cosmet Dermatol 2025;24:e16721. Lee KWA et al., Int J Mol Sci 2024;25:8224. PDRN mechanism literature.
An honest note on the evidence

The biology of polynucleotides is well characterised and genuinely promising, and early clinical studies are encouraging. But the evidence is still developing: most studies are small and of low-to-moderate quality, and the specific skin mechanism is inferred from the wider tissue-repair science. We describe polynucleotides as an emerging, regenerative treatment — not a proven cure — and Matt will give you a realistic picture at consultation.

The concerns

What they address

Polynucleotides are particularly suited to delicate, thin or tired skin — and above all to the under-eye area.

The Under-Eye Area

Emerging evidence

Thin, crepey, tired-looking under-eye skin

The delicate skin beneath the eyes is where polynucleotides are best known. By improving skin thickness, quality and microcirculation, they help refresh crepey, thin and tired under-eye skin — and can soften the shadowing that comes from poor skin quality.

Under-eye dark circles have several causes. Polynucleotides help where the issue is thin or poor-quality skin — less so where it's true hollowing (which may need a different approach) or pigmentation. Matt will assess which applies to you.
Evidence — what the research shows
  • Studies of polynucleotides in the periorbital area report improvement in under-eye skin quality and fine lines; the evidence base is emerging rather than definitive.
Periorbital polynucleotide studies; Lampridou 2025 review.
What to expect
  • Course: Typically a short course of sessions a few weeks apart.
  • Downtime: Small raised points and possible minor bruising, settling within a day or so.
  • Timeline: Skin quality builds gradually over the course.

Tired, Thinning Skin

Emerging evidence

Skin that has lost quality and resilience

Across the face, polynucleotides help skin that has become thin, tired or lacklustre — supporting a firmer, better-hydrated, more resilient quality through genuine renewal.

Evidence — what the research shows
  • Reviews report improvements in skin texture, elasticity and hydration; quality of evidence is still low-to-moderate.
Lee 2024; Lampridou 2025.
What to expect
  • Course: A course for best results, with maintenance thereafter.
  • Downtime: Minimal.
  • Timeline: Gradual, regenerative improvement over weeks.

Overall Skin Quality

Emerging evidence

Firmness, hydration and resilience

The aim throughout is regenerated skin quality — skin that is better hydrated, firmer and more resilient because it has been helped to renew itself.

Evidence — measured and honest
  • Promising early clinical evidence with strong biological plausibility; not yet backed by large controlled trials.
Polynucleotide review literature; individual response varies.
What to expect
  • Course: A practitioner-led plan matched to your skin.
  • Downtime: Minimal.
  • Timeline: Builds over the course as the skin renews.
In context

How they compare

Polynucleotides are regenerative — which sets them apart from both hydration and volume.

Vs Skin Boosters

A skin booster works chiefly by hydration — hyaluronic acid binding water in the dermis. Polynucleotides work by regeneration — signalling the skin's own cells to repair and renew. Both improve skin quality without volume, and they are sometimes combined; Matt will advise which suits your skin, or whether both do.

Vs Dermal Filler

A filler adds volume and structure. Polynucleotides add neither — they improve the quality and resilience of the skin itself. Under the eyes in particular, the distinction matters: where the issue is thin, poor-quality skin, polynucleotides are often the better route; where it's true volume loss, a filler conversation with our nurse prescriber is more appropriate.

Safety & suitability

Well tolerated, with one key check

Polynucleotides have a favourable safety profile in the published studies. A few honest points guide the conversation at consultation.

Important

Fish allergy

This one matters.

  • Polynucleotides are derived from purified fish DNA (salmon or trout). If you have a fish or seafood allergy, please tell us — as a precaution, treatment may not be suitable.
Good to know

Normal, temporary effects

What to expect as the skin settles.

  • Small raised points at the injection sites, usually settling within 24–48 hours
  • Minor bruising, redness or swelling is possible, especially under the eyes
  • Best planned a week or two before any big event
Not suitable

When we won't proceed

For your safety, treatment isn't possible in these situations.

  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Active skin infection, cold sore or breakout in the treatment area
  • Known fish/seafood allergy (precautionary)

This is a guide to help you prepare — it isn't a diagnosis, and it isn't exhaustive. Your full history is always reviewed at consultation.

Begin with a consultation

Every polynucleotide plan begins with Matt assessing your skin, so treatment is matched to what your skin actually needs — never picked from a list.

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