What is salmon DNA? What to know about polynucleotide treatments

Where does the name come from?

“Salmon DNA” describes where the ingredient comes from. In these products, DNA obtained from salmon reproductive cells is purified through special processes and broken into fragments of a defined length. The resulting chains are called polynucleotides (PN); those made up of shorter fragments are called PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide).

Nothing from a fish is “implanted” in the skin and there is no “DNA transfer” — your genetic make-up does not change. What is used is a purified biological ingredient intended to create an environment that supports skin tissue.

What do polynucleotides do in the skin?

PDRN and polynucleotides have been studied for many years in wound healing and tissue repair. These studies have reported effects that support tissue regeneration and hydration. Medical aesthetics draws on these properties with the aim of supporting skin quality.

It is important to be realistic here: although evidence on aesthetic use is growing, results vary with the person, the product and the treatment plan. Salmon DNA is not a “miracle ingredient” but one option that can be considered for the right person with the right plan.

When is it considered?

• Skin that has become thinner, less elastic and tired-looking
• Fine lines and thinning skin around the eyes
• Generally rough or uneven skin texture
• Areas with thin skin such as the neck and décolletage
• Combination plans for the appearance of acne scars, where the physician considers it appropriate

Where marked volume loss, sagging or deep wrinkles are the issue, salmon DNA on its own may not meet expectations. Volume-related concerns such as hollows under the eyes are assessed separately as part of under-eye treatment.

How is it different from a skin booster?

With hyaluronic acid-based skin boosters, the focus is on supporting the skin's capacity to hold moisture. With polynucleotides, the main goal is the quality and renewal of the skin tissue. In practice the two are not competitors but options for different needs, and in some plans they are used one after the other.

Common myths about salmon DNA

• “Fish DNA settles in your skin”: what is injected is purified DNA fragments; your own DNA and genetic make-up do not change.
• “The more sessions, the better”: the number of sessions is set according to your skin's response; more than necessary may bring no extra benefit.
• “One session makes you look younger”: the effect is gradual and is usually assessed as the course is completed.
• “It suits everyone”: treatment may not be recommended with a fish allergy, during pregnancy or with an active infection; the decision is made after an examination.
• “All salmon DNA products are the same”: products can differ in the length and concentration of the DNA fragments and in any added components, so choosing the product is also part of the physician's assessment.

Most of these myths come from the ingredient's catchy name. “Salmon DNA” is easy to remember, but knowing what the ingredient is and what it aims to do matters more for realistic expectations.

Treatment and session plan

1. Assessment: your skin, the target area, any allergy history and your medication are discussed.
2. Preparation: the area is cleansed and a numbing cream applied if needed.
3. Treatment: the product is injected with a fine needle or cannula, using a technique suited to the area.
4. Follow-up: your skin's response is reviewed before the next session.

Most plans involve an initial course of 3–4 sessions, 2–3 weeks apart; the maintenance interval is then set according to how your skin responds. The effect is assessed gradually and is not permanent.

Afterwards, small bumps at the injection points, redness and mild swelling can occur; bruising is a little more likely around the eyes. These usually settle within a few days. Because the course involves several visits, international patients often start with an online consultation before travelling to Istanbul to plan how the sessions fit around their trips.

Its place in combination plans

Polynucleotides are often considered not on their own but as part of a wider skin-quality plan. For example, a hyaluronic acid-based treatment for hydration, Botox / botulinum toxin for expression lines and polynucleotides for tissue quality may all feature in the same plan at different times. For concerns such as the appearance of acne scars, they may be considered alongside methods such as microneedling.

What matters in plans like this is that the reason for each treatment is clear and that the same area is not treated more often than necessary. The order of sessions is set around your skin's recovery time and your daily schedule.

Who may not be suitable?

• Known allergy to fish or to any of the product's components
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Active infection, cold sores or inflamed lesions in the treatment area
• Certain autoimmune conditions or bleeding disorders
• Blood-thinning medication (do not stop it without talking to your doctor)

Salmon DNA is also often among the treatments popularly called a youth injection. Which ingredient makes sense for you should be decided by your skin's needs, not by how popular a name is; we unpack the term in what a youth injection is.