You’ve probably come across Botox and fillers in your research. But there’s a third category of injectable treatment that’s been generating serious clinical interest, and it works on a fundamentally different principle to either of them.
Polynucleotides. Also known as PDRN therapy. A treatment that doesn’t add volume or freeze movement, but instead encourages your skin to genuinely rebuild itself from within.
At Skinneon, our south Bristol skin clinic, we offer polynucleotide treatment as part of a comprehensive approach to skin rejuvenation. In this guide, we cover exactly what polynucleotides are, the science behind how they work, what results look like, and who they’re best suited for.
What Are Polynucleotides? (And What Does PDRN Mean?)
Polynucleotides are long-chain DNA fragments derived from highly purified salmon or trout DNA. The extraction process removes all biological information from the source material, leaving only the structural DNA chains your body can use as raw building material.
When injected into the skin, these chains are recognised by your body’s fibroblast cells as usable material. They bind to adenosine receptors on those cells and activate them to produce more collagen and elastin. PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) is the technical term you’ll see in clinical literature. At Skinneon, when we talk about polynucleotide treatment, we mean exactly this class of bio-stimulating injectable.
The key difference from fillers: polynucleotides don’t add any substance to your skin. They change how your skin’s own cells behave. The improvement you see is built entirely from your own biology.
The Science: How Polynucleotides Stimulate Collagen
Understanding the mechanism helps explain why the results look so natural.
As we age, fibroblast cell activity declines. These cells synthesise collagen types I and III, the structural proteins that give skin its firmness and thickness. By our 30s, collagen production is already falling measurably. By our 40s and 50s, the cumulative loss becomes visible.
Polynucleotides activate the adenosine A2A receptor pathway in fibroblasts. This pathway is directly involved in collagen synthesis and anti-inflammatory signalling. When polynucleotide chains bind to these receptors, they switch the fibroblasts back into a more active state. The result is increased collagen and elastin synthesis, improved skin hydration, reduced dermal inflammation, and better microcirculation.
These effects accumulate over weeks and months. That’s why polynucleotide results look genuinely natural. The improvement is gradual and built entirely from your own tissue.
Polynucleotides vs Fillers vs Botox: What’s the Difference?
Botox temporarily prevents the nerve signals that cause muscle contraction. It works well for dynamic wrinkles like frown lines and crow’s feet, but it does nothing for skin quality, hydration, or collagen loss. Results last around three to four months.
Dermal fillers physically add volume beneath the skin, usually via hyaluronic acid. They restore lost volume and soften deep folds effectively, but they don’t trigger any biological change. Remove the filler and your skin is exactly as it was before.
Polynucleotides create genuine biological change by activating your skin’s own repair processes. They’re not a substance that fades away over time. The improvements they produce, such as new collagen, improved elasticity, and better hydration, are real structural changes to your skin tissue.
Many clients use polynucleotides alongside fillers or Botox rather than instead of them, because each addresses a different aspect of aging skin simultaneously.
What Does Polynucleotide Treatment Involve?
A session at Skinneon starts with a consultation and skin assessment. Numbing cream is applied to the treatment area and left for 45 minutes before we begin.
The polynucleotide solution is delivered via a series of small injections using a fine needle. Your therapist works systematically across the treatment area to ensure even distribution. Common areas include the full face (with particular focus on the under-eye area, cheeks, and jawline), neck, decolletage, and hands. The procedure takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on the areas being treated.
Small bumps at the injection sites are normal and resolve within a few hours. Mild redness and swelling can last 24 to 48 hours. Bruising is possible but typically minimal. Most clients return to normal activities straight away or the following day.
How Many Sessions Do You Need?
A standard initial course consists of three sessions spaced two to four weeks apart. Each session builds on the previous one, progressively increasing fibroblast activity and collagen production. After the course completes, results continue improving for two to three months as new collagen is synthesised and organised.
Maintenance sessions every six to twelve months sustain the results long-term. Many clients find their skin continues to improve throughout the first year of regular treatment.
When Will You See Results?
Within two to three weeks of the first session, most people notice improved hydration and a subtle lift in radiance. After the second session, firming and fine line improvement become more noticeable. The full effect of an initial course becomes visible two to three months after the final session.
Because results develop gradually and are built from your own tissue, they don’t carry the tell-tale signs of cosmetic intervention. Friends and colleagues tend to notice you look well, rather than being able to identify a specific treatment.
Who Are Polynucleotides Best Suited For?
People noticing early signs of aging in their late 20s to 40s will find polynucleotides particularly effective as a preventative treatment. Starting early means maintaining collagen levels rather than trying to rebuild from a significant deficit.
Clients who want better overall skin quality rather than volumising or wrinkle-freezing will find results that other injectables simply can’t deliver. If you’re concerned about looking unnatural, polynucleotides are one of the most subtle treatments available.
The under-eye area responds particularly well. The bio-stimulating effect improves the quality of this thin, delicate skin without the complications that can sometimes occur with filler in this area.
People with fish allergies should not have this treatment. Your therapist will review your full health history during your consultation to confirm suitability.
Combining Polynucleotides With Other Treatments
Polynucleotides work particularly well alongside microneedling. The microneedling stimulates surface-level collagen and improves texture, while polynucleotides work at a deeper structural level through receptor-mediated fibroblast activation. Together they address aging skin from two angles at once.
Adding Dermalux LED sessions between polynucleotide treatments supports the collagen production process and reduces any post-injection inflammation. Regular advanced facials between sessions keep the skin in the best possible condition throughout your course.
Frequently Asked Questions: Polynucleotide Treatment Bristol
Are polynucleotide injections painful?
Most clients find the treatment very manageable. Numbing cream is applied for 45 minutes beforehand. During the procedure, you’ll feel mild pressure with occasional brief stinging at injection sites. The vast majority of clients tolerate it comfortably.
How long do polynucleotide results last?
The initial course of three sessions delivers results that continue developing for two to three months after the final treatment. With maintenance sessions every six to twelve months, results can be sustained long-term. Because polynucleotides stimulate your skin’s own collagen production, the improvements tend to be more durable than filler results.
Are polynucleotides safe?
Polynucleotides have a strong clinical safety record, with decades of use in medical contexts before their adoption in aesthetics. The purification process ensures no allergenic proteins remain in the final product. The main contraindication is fish allergy.
Can I have polynucleotides if I’ve had fillers before?
Yes. Polynucleotides and fillers work differently and complement each other well. Many clients use both, with fillers for volume restoration and polynucleotides for overall skin quality improvement. Your therapist will advise on appropriate timing for the treatment areas.
How much do polynucleotide injections cost in Bristol?
Treatment costs vary depending on the areas being treated and the number of sessions in your course. We provide full pricing during your consultation once we’ve assessed your skin and designed a personalised plan.
What’s the difference between polynucleotides and Profhilo?
Both are injectable bio-stimulators but they work differently. Profhilo uses high-concentration hyaluronic acid to remodel the skin matrix and stimulate collagen indirectly. Polynucleotides use DNA fragments to directly activate fibroblast receptors. Both have merit and some clinics use them together. Your therapist can advise on which suits your specific concerns.
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Call us on 07455673619, email info@skinneon.co.uk, or book online.
