PDRN and polynucleotides
Rejuran · Plinest · 'salmon DNA' · 'salmon sperm facial'
'Salmon sperm facial' went viral on TikTok and Instagram; Rejuran is the second most-searched aesthetic term in Singapore.
Search interest: about 4,800 searches a month in Singapore for “rejuran” (Ahrefs, October 2026).
The injected courses are a sensible part of a skin plan; the salmon-sperm facial is mostly the microneedling doing the work.
Reviewed against the Aesthetics International standard. Category: Injectables.
Do PDRN and polynucleotides work?
Established. The injected courses are a sensible part of a skin plan; the salmon-sperm facial is mostly the microneedling doing the work. Polynucleotides have a long history in wound healing and a reasonable body of split-face and controlled studies for skin quality, acne scarring and the periorbital area.
- Verdict
- Established Long clinical track record. Results depend on selection and technique more than on the device.
- Evidence base
- 3 PubMed-indexed studies cited below, including systematic reviews, randomised trials.
- Suits
- Thin, crepey under-eye skin; dull, inflamed or acne-prone skin; post-procedure recovery; people who want quality rather than volume.
- Not for
- Anyone expecting lift or volume. Fish-protein allergy. 'Topical PDRN' sold as equivalent to injections.
- In Singapore
- Rejuran and Plinest are registered in Singapore and widely used.
- Category
- Injectables · about 4,800 searches a month in Singapore for “rejuran”
- Reviewed
- 1 October 2026 by Aesthetics International. Revised as evidence and regulation change.
What it is
Polynucleotides are DNA fragments, usually purified from salmon or trout gonads, injected into the dermis in micro-droplets. PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) is the shorter-chain form. They are regenerative injectables rather than fillers: they do not add volume in any meaningful way.
How it works
The proposed mechanisms are adenosine A2A receptor stimulation and a salvage pathway that supplies nucleotides to fibroblasts — improving the environment in which collagen is made, calming inflammation and improving skin quality, elasticity and healing. Treatment is a course of micro-injections across the face, under the eyes or on the neck, spaced weeks apart.
What the evidence says
Polynucleotides have a long history in wound healing and a reasonable body of split-face and controlled studies for skin quality, acne scarring and the periorbital area. Effects are gradual and modest; they are often strongest where skin is thin and inflamed. The viral 'facial' versions applied topically after microneedling are a different, weaker proposition — DNA fragments do not cross intact skin.
What people are saying
Paraphrased from public discussion on TikTok, Instagram, Reddit and in the press. Not testimonials, and not about any one clinic. Reported in: hollywoodreporter.com, newbeauty.com, personalcareinsights.com.
What the studies show
- systematic review
Polynucleotides showed promise for skin quality, scars and periorbital skin, but the review found limited consensus on protocols and called for higher-quality trials.
The Effectiveness of Polynucleotides in Esthetic Medicine: A Systematic Review. — J Cosmet Dermatol, 2025. PMID 39645667.
- RCT
In a split-face randomised trial, polynucleotide injection improved periocular skin and was well tolerated, with effects comparable to a hyaluronic acid comparator.
Comparison of the effects of polynucleotide and hyaluronic acid fillers on periocular rejuvenation: a randomized, double-blind, split-face trial. — J Dermatolog Treat, 2022. PMID 32248707.
- systematic review
Clinical studies supported modest benefits for skin rejuvenation, scar quality and wound healing, with heterogeneous designs and short follow-up.
Polynucleotides and Polydeoxyribonucleotides for Skin Rejuvenation, Postoperative Scar Prevention, and Wound Healing: A Systematic Review of Clinical Evidence. — Cureus, 2026. PMID 42572627.
Studies are selected for relevance and quality, not for agreement with the verdict; PubMed records are linked so the reader can check them.
Who it suits
Suits
Thin, crepey under-eye skin; dull, inflamed or acne-prone skin; post-procedure recovery; people who want quality rather than volume.
Not for
Anyone expecting lift or volume. Fish-protein allergy. 'Topical PDRN' sold as equivalent to injections.
Alternatives
The two reviewed treatments most often weighed against PDRN and polynucleotides, on the same standard.
| PDRN and polynucleotides | Skin boosters | Profhilo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Established | Established | Established |
| What it is | Polynucleotides are DNA fragments, usually purified from salmon or trout gonads, injected into the dermis in micro-droplets. | Micro-injections of hyaluronic acid, sometimes with vitamins, amino acids and antioxidants, placed superficially across the face to hydrate and improve texture and glow. | A high-concentration, stabilised hyaluronic acid injected at five points on each side of the face (the BAP technique), from which it spreads through the tissue. |
| Evidence base | 3 PubMed-indexed studies cited below, including systematic reviews, randomised trials. | 3 PubMed-indexed studies cited below, including randomised trials. | 3 PubMed-indexed studies cited below, including randomised trials. |
| Suits | Thin, crepey under-eye skin; dull, inflamed or acne-prone skin; post-procedure recovery; people who want quality rather than volume. | Dull, dehydrated skin; make-up that settles into fine lines; neck and décolletage. | Crepey, dehydrated skin of the face, neck and hands; people wanting quality not shape; first-time injectable patients. |
| In one line | The injected courses are a sensible part of a skin plan; the salmon-sperm facial is mostly the microneedling doing the work. | Dull skin is a collagen problem — boosters hydrate the surface while collagen work happens underneath. | One of the few injectables where 'natural' is built into the design. |
Risks
Bruising, bumps that settle over days, and the usual injection risks. The product is not the issue; the plane and dose are.
In Singapore
Rejuran and Plinest are registered in Singapore and widely used. Topical PDRN serums are cosmetics and make no medical claims.
“The injected courses are a sensible part of a skin plan; the salmon-sperm facial is mostly the microneedling doing the work.”
Vetted protocols on the same problem
Questions
Does Rejuran lift the face?
Is the 'salmon sperm facial' the same as Rejuran?
How often is it repeated?
Cite this review
Aesthetics International (2026). PDRN and polynucleotides: does it work? Evidence, risks and verdict. https://aesthetics-international.org/treatments/pdrn-polynucleotides/ (reviewed 1 October 2026).
Editorial, unpaid and independent of any manufacturer. Verdict: Established. See what works and what doesn't across all 153 reviews. Spotted an error or a newer study? Suggest a correction — changes are logged on the corrections page. Terms are defined in the glossary.
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