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Dr. Gustavo Suárez · Aesthetic medicine

Polynucleotidesand skin quality.

General information about polynucleotides and the limitations of the available evidence. The availability of this treatment and the specific product must be confirmed with the clinic.

Request a consultation What are polynucleotides?

The treatment

DNA fragments
for skin quality.

Polynucleotides are fragments of purified DNA. Some preparations described in aesthetic medicine are derived from salmon or trout. They were previously used in wound healing for their regenerative properties, and in aesthetic medicine they are injected to improve skin quality.

Studies describe improvements in skin elasticity, hydration and texture, and in fine lines. They are not used to correct volume: for that, the relevant treatment is the hyaluronic acid filler. They also exist as creams, serums and masks, which are a different matter: a cosmetic product cannot be injected.

PN and PDRN should not be treated as interchangeable terms, nor should data from one preparation be extrapolated to all others. Reactions and precautions depend on the product, its origin and the route of administration.

The difference

Polynucleotides
compared with a filler.

They are often confused because both are injected into the face. They aim to achieve different things.

PolynucleotidesHyaluronic acid filler
What it isPurified DNA fragments; the source depends on the preparation.A gel made from a substance naturally present in the skin.
What it is used forImprove skin quality: elasticity, hydration, texture and fine lines.Adding volume and softening lines and folds.
How it worksTheir ability to stimulate skin fibroblasts is being studied.It is injected beneath the skin and adds volume.
EvidenceLimited: few studies of low or moderate quality, with variable results.It is the reference treatment for correcting volume and structure.
If it needs to be reversedNot available.It can be dissolved with hyaluronidase, a medicine.

What is known

The evidence on polynucleotides is still limited: few studies of low or moderate quality, with no consensus on optimal use.

This is the shared conclusion of reviews published between 2024 and 2026, including a Spanish review. They describe promising results in skin elasticity, hydration and texture, but some studies found no benefit. All call for larger, standardised studies.

Gloved hands palpate a woman's cheek during an examination in a consulting room
Illustrative image

The assessment

What is reviewed
during the consultation.

The consultation assesses the area to be treated and the characteristics of the tissues, and clarifies the objectives and limitations of treatment, including when there have been previous treatments.

It is useful to report allergies, medication and previous aesthetic treatments, and to ask which product will be injected. The AEMPS recommends always asking for this information.

Preparing for the initial consultation

Safety

Effects
described.

What the studies report

The described effects are mild and temporary: pain in the area, swelling, itching, bruising, redness and irritation. The reviews report no serious complications in the included studies.

The fact that small studies have not reported serious complications does not demonstrate the absence of serious risk. Allergies and the manufacturer's documentation must be reviewed.

During the consultation, after the medical assessment, these are explained individually according to each patient's characteristics.

What remains unknown

There are few studies, with small populations, and they call for longer follow-up. There is also no consensus on the best way to use them. This uncertainty forms part of the information you should have before deciding.

Before deciding

Frequently asked
questions.

Questions about the source, effects and evidence for this treatment.

What are polynucleotides and what are they used for?

They are fragments of purified DNA. They are being studied in aesthetic medicine for their effect on skin quality, with variable results and limited evidence. Not all formulations or routes of administration are equivalent.

Are they the same as a filler?

No. Hyaluronic acid filler is the reference treatment for correcting volume and structure. Polynucleotides are being studied for their effect on skin quality. Some of the literature calls them "fillers", but their purpose is different.

What are the risks of polynucleotides?

Small studies describe pain, swelling, itching, bruising, redness or irritation. Their size and follow-up do not allow serious risks to be ruled out. Precautions and allergies depend on the specific product. During the consultation, after the medical assessment, these are explained individually according to each patient's characteristics.

Where are polynucleotides administered?

The studies cover different areas and administration techniques. Medical assessment determines whether treatment is appropriate and in which area.

Do polynucleotides come from salmon?

Some described preparations come from purified salmon or trout DNA. The origin, allergies and precautions must be checked in the documentation for the specific product.

How long do the effects of polynucleotides last?

The studies are heterogeneous and call for longer follow-up, so they cannot establish a reliable duration. This uncertainty must be explained during the consultation alongside the limitations of treatment.

Related procedures

Other treatments
in aesthetic medicine.

Sources of information