Polynucleotides
A regenerative injectable that works with your skin rather than filling it. Where a filler adds volume, polynucleotides aim to improve the quality of the skin itself, its hydration, its firmness and its tone, over a measured course. Here is what they really involve.
A repair signal, not a filler
Polynucleotides are short chains of purified nucleotides, the building blocks of DNA, most often derived from highly purified salmon or trout sources. Injected into the skin in tiny amounts, they are understood to support hydration, cushion the tissue and prompt the skin's own repair and collagen activity over time. Popular branded products in this category include Plinest and Ameela. The result, when it works, is skin that looks fresher and more even rather than plumped or filled.
They are used across the face, the neck and decolletage, the hands, and increasingly for the delicate under eye area where a dedicated formulation is preferred. This is a treatment of patience. The change is gradual and cumulative, and it is best judged a month or two after a full course rather than on the day.
- ·Skin that looks tired, crepey or dehydrated rather than volume depleted.
- ·Fine lines and dullness in the under eye area, where it is one of the more popular uses.
- ·Anyone wanting a subtle, buildable result rather than an obvious change.
- ·A complement to other skin work, planned by a clinician across the year.
- ·Anyone seeking instant volume or contour. That is the job of a filler, and a good clinician will say so.
- ·Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, where most clinics advise waiting.
- ·Anyone with a known sensitivity to fish derived products, given the typical source.
- ·Active skin infection or inflammation at the treatment site until it has settled.
A typical course is two to three sessions spaced two to four weeks apart, with maintenance often suggested every six to nine months. Your clinician sets the plan.
Expect small injection bumps, redness and the chance of bruising, especially under the eyes. Most of this settles within a day or two, though bruising can linger longer.
Hydration can feel improved early, but the firming and tone benefits build over weeks as a course completes. Patience is part of the treatment.
What can go wrong, told plainly
Polynucleotides are generally well tolerated, but no injectable is without risk. The common effects are local: tenderness, swelling, redness and bruising at the injection points. Less commonly there can be lumps or nodules, infection, or an allergic reaction. As with any injection near the face, a rare but serious risk is vascular occlusion, where a vessel is affected. This is why who holds the needle matters more than the product. Choose a qualified medical practitioner who manages complications, works in a clean clinical setting, and reviews your history first.
Good to know · Evidence for polynucleotides is growing but still maturing. Treat bold percentage claims with healthy caution and ask your practitioner what is realistic for your skin.
Roughly £200 to £400 per session
A full course of two to three sessions commonly lands somewhere between £450 and £900, with under eye and premium clinics at the higher end. These are indicative ranges only and vary by city, product and the number of areas. Always confirm the full course price with the provider.
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This is general information, not medical advice. Any treatment decision is made with a qualified practitioner.
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