Medically reviewed by Dr Tapan Patel
Last reviewed: 22nd February 2026
What are Polynucleotides?
Polynucleotides are injectable biostimulators made from purified fragments of salmon DNA, which share a close structural similarity with human DNA. When introduced to the skin, they act as a biological signal: a prompt for your tissue to start regenerating.
Unlike dermal fillers or anti-wrinkle injections, polynucleotides do not add volume or relax movement. Instead, they work at a cellular level to stimulate fibroblast activity, encourage cellular regeneration, improve skin hydration and elasticity, calm inflammation, and support microcirculation.
A recent literature review published in the Aesthetic Nursing Journal highlighted the regenerative role of polynucleotides in improving hydration, elasticity, and dermal repair while maintaining a strong safety profile.
Benefits of Polynucleotide Treatments
Polynucleotide treatments at PHI Clinic enhance skin quality from the inside, working with your own biology rather than masking concerns. Patients typically see:
- Smoother skin with improved tone and texture
- Reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Stronger elasticity and firmness through stimulated collagen production
- Sustained improvement in hydration, particularly around the delicate under-eye area
- A calmer, more even complexion with reduced inflammation
Because the effect is regenerative rather than volumising, polynucleotides are particularly suited to patients whose primary concern is skin quality, not volume loss.
Polynucleotide treatments in London Clinic
Polynucleotide treatments at PHI Clinic provide a holistic approach to skin rejuvenation, addressing fine lines, stretch marks, and skin tone irregularities through natural regeneration. The treatment is designed as a course rather than a single procedure, with each session building on the regenerative work of the last.
The initial consultation sets the foundation. It begins with a professional assessment of your skin condition and goals, followed by a detailed analysis to determine treatment suitability and create a tailored plan. Before injections, a topical anaesthetic is applied to keep the experience comfortable, then precise administration of polynucleotides stimulates collagen and elastin production for enhanced skin elasticity and texture.
At PHI Clinic, we recommend a course of three polynucleotide sessions for most patients, spaced two to four weeks apart. This is the protocol our aesthetic doctors have refined as the most effective for visible, lasting results. A single session is rarely enough to deliver the full quality improvement that polynucleotides are capable of, which is why we structure both the protocol and the pricing around the full course.
Most patients return to normal activities immediately after each session. Mild swelling, small temporary bumps, or light redness at injection sites may appear, particularly in delicate areas such as the tear trough. These usually settle within 24 to 48 hours. Strenuous exercise is best avoided for the first 24 hours, and daily SPF 50 is essential to protect your developing results.
Your Polynucleotides practitioners
Where on the face can you have Polynucleotide?
Typically, polynucleotide treatments target facial areas susceptible to signs of ageing, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and diminished elasticity. These key treatment zones include the cheeks, forehead, around the eyes (crow's feet), and areas affected by scars or pigment irregularities. Polynucleotides can also be used on the body for specific rejuvenation purposes, targeting areas where skin texture, firmness, or hydration need improvement.
How long do polynucleotides take to work?
Polynucleotides work gradually. They are designed to support your skin's natural repair processes, which means change is cumulative rather than immediate. Most patients see subtle early signs of improvement, typically a refreshed glow and softer texture, around two to three weeks after their first session. The more substantial visible results, including reduced fine lines, improved firmness, and a more rested appearance, usually become clear between eight and twelve weeks after the final session in your course.
A typical timeline for someone completing a full course at PHI Clinic London:
| Time after first session | What you may notice |
|---|---|
| 24 to 48 hours | Mild swelling or small bumps at injection sites, settling quickly |
| 2 to 3 weeks | First signs of improved glow, hydration, and texture |
| 4 to 6 weeks | Second session typically scheduled; tone and softness build |
| 8 to 12 weeks | Visible improvements in fine lines, elasticity, and overall skin quality |
| 6 to 9 months | Full results sustained; maintenance treatment usually considered |
How long do polynucleotide results last?
After completing a full course of three polynucleotide treatments, most patients enjoy results lasting between six and nine months. During that window, you can expect smoother skin with improved tone, reduced appearance of fine lines, sustained hydration, and a calmer, more even complexion.
For more delicate areas such as the under-eye hollows, maintenance top-up sessions every six months are commonly recommended to support continued results.
What affects how long polynucleotides last for you?
Several factors influence the duration of your results:
- Age and skin type. Mature or dehydrated skin tends to metabolise the product slightly faster. Younger skin with stronger baseline collagen may hold results at the upper end of the range.
- Lifestyle. UV exposure, smoking, high stress, and poor sleep all suppress collagen production and shorten the effective lifespan of regenerative treatments.
- Treatment area. Thinner areas such as under the eyes turn over faster than thicker areas like the cheeks or neck.
- Product quality. The grade and origin of the polynucleotide product used has a meaningful effect on both safety and longevity. PHI Clinic only uses CE-marked, clinically validated polynucleotide injectables.
- Consistency. Patients who follow a regular maintenance schedule and look after their skin between sessions typically see longer-lasting and more compounding results.
Polynucleotides vs Profhilo, fillers, and skin boosters
A common question in consultation is how polynucleotides compare with other popular regenerative options. Here is a clear comparison:
| Treatment | What it does | Best for | Results last |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polynucleotides | Stimulates fibroblast activity, regenerates tissue at a cellular level | Skin quality, elasticity, under-eye hollows, repair | 6 to 9 months |
| Profhilo | Hyaluronic acid bio-remodelling, deeply hydrates and lifts | Skin laxity, hydration, mid-face and neck quality | 6 months |
| Dermal fillers | Adds volume using hyaluronic acid | Volume loss, structural support, contour | 9 to 18 months |
| Skin boosters | Light hydration through microinjections of hyaluronic acid | Surface hydration, glow | 4 to 6 months |
Polynucleotides are not a replacement for fillers; they sit alongside them in a well-designed plan. For patients whose primary concern is skin quality rather than volume loss, polynucleotides are often the more appropriate first step. For others, they work beautifully in combination with Profhilo or fillers as part of a longer-term healthy ageing plan.
Side effects and recovery
Polynucleotide injections are generally well tolerated. Most patients experience nothing more than mild swelling, small temporary bumps at injection sites, or light redness, particularly in delicate areas such as the tear trough. These usually settle within 24 to 48 hours.
A few practical points to be aware of:
- A topical numbing cream is applied before treatment to keep the experience comfortable
- Most patients return to normal activities immediately, though strenuous exercise is best avoided for 24 hours
- Patients with a fish allergy should not have this treatment; we will discuss alternatives at your consultation
- Polynucleotides are not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding
How to make your polynucleotide results last longer
You can meaningfully extend the longevity of your treatment with consistent at-home care:
- Daily SPF 50 to protect the new collagen from UV damage and maintain barrier health
- Antioxidant skincare, particularly vitamin C in the morning and a well-formulated retinol in the evening
- Adequate sleep, hydration, and nutrition, the basics that genuinely matter for skin regeneration
- Avoid harsh procedures such as ablative lasers or aggressive chemical peels in the immediate weeks after treatment
- Plan maintenance sessions every six to nine months rather than waiting for results to fully fade
Combining polynucleotides with a tailored medical-grade skincare routine, supported by your practitioner, will give you the strongest long-term outcome. Book a consultation to discover whether polynucleotides are the right next step for you.
Polynucleotide frequently asked questions
A single session typically produces subtle improvements lasting around two to three months. The longer six to nine month results come from completing a full course of three treatments, which is the recommended protocol at PHI Clinic.
Under-eye results often appear faster than facial results, with many patients seeing improvement in two to three weeks. Because under-eye skin is thinner, results typically last around five to seven months before a maintenance session.
Neither is better in absolute terms. They do different things. Polynucleotides regenerate at a cellular level; Profhilo deeply hydrates and supports laxity. Many patients benefit from combining the two in a longer-term plan, agreed at consultation.
Most patients describe the treatment as comfortable rather than painful. A topical numbing cream is applied first, and the needles used are very fine.
A full initial course of three sessions, then a maintenance session every six to nine months, is the typical pattern for most patients.
Yes. Polynucleotides combine well with Profhilo, anti-wrinkle injections, microneedling, and laser resurfacing. Your practitioner will sequence them in a way that protects results and avoids over-treatment.
Polynucleotides have a strong clinical safety profile when administered by qualified medical practitioners using CE-marked products. The most common side effects are mild swelling and small bumps that settle within 48 hours.
Patients with a fish allergy, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and patients with certain autoimmune or circulatory conditions may not be suitable candidates. Suitability is confirmed at consultation.
For acne scarring and stretch marks, the regenerative effect on scar tissue is typically long-lasting once a full course is completed, though additional courses every twelve to eighteen months may be recommended for continued improvement.
Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours, direct sun exposure, harsh skincare actives, and any other injectable treatments for two weeks. Daily SPF 50 is essential to protect your results.