Polynucleotides work through bio-stimulation, helping your skin to repair and renew itself. They activate the cells that produce collagen and elastin, keeping skin firm, smooth and elastic, and they attract and hold water for deeper hydration and a plumper, fresher look.

They also support healing, which makes them helpful for scarring, calm inflammation and sensitivity, and help protect the skin against free radicals and environmental stress. For this reason they are also used in hair restoration, orthopaedics and ophthalmology.

Polynucleotides improve hydration, elasticity, texture, tone and glow, and soften fine lines, wrinkles, scarring and dullness. They can also help acne, rosacea and other inflammatory skin conditions, and may modestly improve pigmentation.

They are one of our favourite treatments for under-eye darkness and crepey under-eye skin, with very good results.

We use two sterile injectables made from ultra-purified polynucleotides derived from salmon DNA:

• Plinest®, which contains only highly purified polynucleotides and is suitable for delicate areas, including under the eyes.
• Newest®, which combines polynucleotides with hyaluronic acid for added hydration and structure. It is not used under the eyes, because of a higher risk of swelling or vascular occlusion in this area.

Your clinician will choose the right product for your concerns and the area being treated.

We cleanse your skin and apply numbing cream for 20–30 minutes. The polynucleotide gel is then applied and delivered into the skin with the SkinPen® microneedling device, which creates tiny channels for the gel to penetrate. In some cases, we use fine needles or a cannula instead.

You may feel mild pressure, stinging or a light scratching sensation, but most clients find it very manageable. Treatment usually takes 30–60 minutes, depending on the areas treated.

Redness, tightness, mild peeling and sensitivity usually settle within 24–72 hours. Mild peeling is especially common in skin of colour.

• Days 1–2: redness, warmth and tightness, similar to mild sunburn, with some swelling and sensitivity.
• Days 2–4: skin may feel dry, rough or slightly flaky. Occasionally, a few mild breakouts appear.
• Days 5–7: skin feels smoother and looks more radiant, while collagen and elastin continue to build for weeks.

Yes. With or without microneedling, polynucleotides are very safe for skin of colour when they are performed by the right practitioner, at the right time and with proper skin preparation.

The skin's response to microneedling looks different in darker skin tones, and specialist training is needed to recognise it. We monitor these changes closely, tailor every treatment to your skin tone and type, and know how to prevent and manage the complications that are more common in skin of colour.

We apply numbing cream before every polynucleotide treatment. With microneedling, most clients describe a light scratching or tingling sensation, and pinpoint bleeding and redness are normal, usually settling within a few hours. Needle or cannula treatments can feel a little more uncomfortable, but are still well tolerated.

Polynucleotides are widely used and very well tolerated, but like all treatments they carry some risks. Common effects are temporary, usually resolving within 72 hours, and include redness, swelling or tenderness, bruising or pinprick bleeding, small lumps under the skin when needles are used, itching or tightness, and increased sensitivity. After under-eye treatment, vision can be mildly blurred for a few hours.

Because every client is unique, this list may not be exhaustive. We will discuss your individual risks in detail at your consultation.

Smoother texture and better hydration often appear within 1–2 weeks, with firmer, brighter skin developing after 4–6 weeks as collagen builds. Results generally last several months, depending on the individual and the area treated. We usually recommend a course of 2–3 sessions, spaced 2–4 weeks apart.

Please contact us via email to receive our pricing list. We ask all our clients to book a consultation with our doctors before starting any treatment. We carefully prepare a bespoke plan for every client, and some treatments may not be suitable for everyone.