Injectable · Skin Quality · Polynucleotides

PDRN & Polynucleotide

How this page was made
This page was written with AI assistance and reviewed against the sources listed under References below. It is general information only, not medical advice. See our full disclaimer for how SHEA creates and reviews treatment information.
01

What it is

Polynucleotide (PN) products contain purified DNA-derived polynucleotides and are used in injectable treatments intended to affect skin quality. PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) is a related DNA-derived material that has also been studied in regenerative and wound-healing research.

Although PDRN and PN are sometimes grouped together in clinic marketing, they should not be treated as interchangeable products. Their composition, concentration, intended use, and supporting evidence can differ.

Different injectable products are available, so ask the clinic for the exact product name rather than relying only on terms such as “PDRN,” “PN,” or “salmon injection.”

02

Why people consider it

  • They are considering an injectable treatment aimed at changes in skin quality or texture
  • They are interested in treatment of fine lines or the periocular area, where PN has been studied clinically
  • They are looking into a skin-quality injectable that works differently from treatments intended primarily to add volume or relax facial muscles
03

What the experience is like

PN and PDRN products may be administered through multiple small injections into the skin. The injection technique, amount used, treatment area, and number of sessions depend on the specific product and treatment protocol.

Temporary injection-site reactions such as redness, swelling, bruising, or small raised areas can occur after injectable treatment.

Published studies have used multi-session protocols, but there is no single treatment schedule that should be assumed to apply to every PN or PDRN product.

04

Limitations & considerations

  • PDRN and PN are related terms, but evidence for one material or product should not automatically be applied to another
  • Clinical studies in aesthetic use have examined particular products, treatment areas, and protocols, so their findings should not be generalized to every injectable marketed as PDRN or PN
  • The available aesthetic studies are generally smaller and more varied than the underlying preclinical and wound-healing literature
  • Product-specific contraindications and precautions can differ, so the exact product and its safety information should be confirmed before treatment
  • No specific improvement in texture, fine lines, hydration, or other skin-quality measures can be guaranteed
Evidence note
PDRN has a substantial preclinical literature relating to tissue repair and wound healing, including animal and laboratory research. That mechanistic evidence should not be treated as direct proof of cosmetic skin improvement in people.
Clinical evidence also exists for PN in aesthetic treatment, but it is more limited. A randomized, double-blind, split-face study of 27 participants compared PN with non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid in the periocular area after three treatments at two-week intervals. Overall aesthetic improvement scores did not differ significantly between the treatments, although some measured skin parameters favored PN. The study was supported by Pharma Research Products Co., Ltd. and the Asan Institute for Life Sciences; the authors reported no potential conflict of interest.
A 2025 systematic review identified additional clinical studies of PN for aesthetic use. The studies varied in treatment area, protocol, comparator, and outcome measures, and many involved relatively small numbers of participants. The available evidence therefore supports discussing PN as an emerging aesthetic treatment rather than assuming that findings from one product or protocol apply to PDRN, PN, or every product marketed under those terms.

References

Peer-reviewed literature.

1. Galeano M, Bitto A, Altavilla D, et al. Polydeoxyribonucleotide stimulates angiogenesis and wound healing in the genetically diabetic mouse. Wound Repair and Regeneration, 2008;16(2):208–217.
Peer-reviewed · Animal study · Preclinical evidence
2. Veronesi F, Dallari D, Sabbioni G, et al. Polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRNs) from skin to musculoskeletal tissue regeneration via adenosine A2A receptor involvement. Journal of Cellular Physiology, 2017;232(9):2299–2307.
Peer-reviewed · Mechanism review
3. Lee YJ, Kim HT, Lee YJ, et al. Comparison of the effects of polynucleotide and hyaluronic acid fillers on periocular rejuvenation: a randomized, double-blind, split-face trial. Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022;33(1):254–260.
Peer-reviewed · Randomized split-face trial (n=27) · Periocular PN evidence · Industry-supported
4. Lampridou M, et al. The Effectiveness of Polynucleotides in Esthetic Medicine: A Systematic Review. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025.
Peer-reviewed · Systematic review · Aesthetic PN evidence
Scroll to Top