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Polynucleotide Treatment: Your Complete Guide
Understanding how polynucleotide injections rejuvenate your skin from within and which product is right for you
Book ConsultationWhat Are Polynucleotides?
Polynucleotides (often abbreviated to PNs or PDRN) are one of the most significant advances in regenerative aesthetics to emerge in recent years. Unlike traditional dermal fillers, which add volume by physically filling a space beneath the skin, polynucleotides work at a cellular level to genuinely improve the quality, health, and resilience of the skin itself.
At their core, polynucleotides are purified fragments of DNA, typically derived from salmon or trout sperm cells through a rigorous pharmaceutical extraction and purification process. These DNA fragments are biocompatible and bioresorbable, meaning they integrate safely with human tissue and are naturally broken down by the body over time.
When injected into the skin, polynucleotides act as a biological scaffold that stimulates fibroblast activity — the cells responsible for producing collagen, elastin, and other structural proteins. They also promote angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels), improve tissue hydration by attracting and retaining water molecules, and exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that help protect against further skin damage.
The result is skin that looks and behaves younger: firmer, better hydrated, more luminous, and more resilient. This is not a cosmetic illusion or a temporary plumping effect — it is a genuine biological improvement in skin quality that develops progressively over a treatment course.
Polynucleotides vs Hyaluronic Acid Skin Boosters
One of the most common questions we hear at our clinic on Furze Platt Road, Maidenhead, is how polynucleotides compare to hyaluronic acid (HA) skin boosters such as Profhilo or Skinboosters. While both categories aim to improve skin quality rather than add volume, their mechanisms of action are fundamentally different. For a detailed side-by-side comparison, see our polynucleotides vs skin boosters page.
Hyaluronic acid skin boosters work primarily through hydration. HA is a naturally occurring sugar molecule that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. When injected into the skin, it draws moisture into the tissue, creating an immediate plumping and hydrating effect. Some HA products, particularly Profhilo, also stimulate a degree of collagen production through a process called bio-remodelling. However, this collagen-stimulating effect is secondary to their hydrating function.
Polynucleotides, by contrast, are primarily regenerative. Their main mechanism is the direct stimulation of fibroblasts to produce new collagen, elastin, and extracellular matrix components. The hydration they provide comes as a consequence of improved tissue health rather than from water-binding molecules. The effects are therefore slower to appear but tend to be longer-lasting and more fundamentally restorative.
In practice, the two treatments are not mutually exclusive. Many patients benefit from combining HA skin boosters for immediate hydration with polynucleotides for deeper, longer-term regeneration. Dr Selena Langdon (GMC 6159259) can advise on the most appropriate approach based on your skin's condition and your goals. You can also compare these treatments with Profhilo specifically on our Profhilo vs polynucleotides comparison page.
Polynucleotide Brands at Berkshire Aesthetics
We offer three leading polynucleotide products at our CQC-registered clinic, each with distinct formulations designed for specific concerns and treatment areas.
Ameela
Ameela is one of the most widely used polynucleotide products in the UK. It contains highly purified polynucleotide fragments derived from salmon DNA (PDRN) and is designed for general skin rejuvenation across the face, neck, décolletage, and hands. Ameela is particularly effective for patients seeking an overall improvement in skin texture, tone, and firmness.
It is available in different formulations, including Ameela Soft for superficial dermal hydration and Ameela Hard for deeper tissue regeneration. This versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of skin types and concerns, from early signs of ageing to more advanced skin laxity and dullness.
Plinest
Plinest is an Italian-manufactured polynucleotide product that has established a strong reputation for periorbital rejuvenation. Plinest Eye, in particular, is specifically formulated for the delicate under-eye area, with a lower concentration of polynucleotides designed to improve fine lines, crepiness, dark circles, and skin thinning around the eyes without the risks associated with hyaluronic acid filler in this zone.
Plinest is also available in a standard formulation for broader facial rejuvenation. It is an excellent choice for patients who want to target both the eye area and the wider face within the same treatment course. For a detailed comparison between the two most popular brands, see our Ameela vs Plinest page.
Newest
Newest is a newer entrant to the polynucleotide market, positioned as a bio-revitalisation treatment. It combines polynucleotide fragments with a carefully selected blend of additional active ingredients designed to support comprehensive skin renewal. Newest is particularly well-suited for patients seeking intensive bio-revitalisation and is often recommended for skin that has been significantly compromised by sun damage, environmental stress, or hormonal changes.
Which Polynucleotide Product Is Right for You?
Choosing between polynucleotide brands is not simply a matter of preference — each product has been developed for specific clinical applications. At your consultation, Dr Langdon will assess your skin and recommend the most appropriate product based on your concerns, treatment area, and goals. As a general guide:
- Under-eye concerns (hollows, dark circles, crepiness): Plinest Eye is our first-line recommendation for the periorbital area. Its tailored concentration is designed specifically for the thin, delicate skin around the eyes.
- General facial rejuvenation (texture, tone, firmness): Ameela is the most versatile option for broad-spectrum skin quality improvement across the face, neck, and décolletage.
- Intensive bio-revitalisation (sun damage, environmental ageing): Newest is ideal for patients whose skin has been significantly compromised and requires more intensive regeneration.
- Combined face and eye treatment: A course using Plinest Eye for the periorbital area alongside Ameela for the wider face allows us to tailor the treatment to each zone's specific requirements.
It is worth noting that the “best” product is always the one that is most appropriate for your individual skin. A thorough clinical assessment is essential before recommending any specific brand or protocol.
Treatment Protocol & What to Expect
The Consultation
Every polynucleotide treatment at Berkshire Aesthetics begins with a comprehensive face-to-face consultation. Dr Langdon will assess your skin quality, discuss your concerns and goals, review your medical history, and determine whether polynucleotides are the most appropriate treatment for you. This is also an opportunity to discuss alternative or complementary treatments that may enhance your results.
The Procedure
The treatment itself takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the area being treated. A topical anaesthetic cream is applied beforehand to ensure comfort. The polynucleotide product is then injected into the skin using a series of small injections or, in some cases, a cannula technique. The specific injection pattern depends on the product and the area being treated.
You may feel a series of small pricks during the procedure, but most patients find it very tolerable. Immediately after treatment, you may notice small raised bumps at the injection sites, similar to insect bites. These typically flatten within 24 to 48 hours. Mild redness and swelling are also normal and usually resolve within one to two days.
Treatment Course
Polynucleotides are most effective when administered as a course of treatments. The standard protocol involves two to three sessions spaced three to four weeks apart. This allows each treatment to build upon the regenerative effects of the last, progressively improving skin quality with each session.
Some patients with more advanced skin concerns may benefit from an additional session. Dr Langdon will review your progress at each appointment and adjust the protocol as needed.
Aftercare
Aftercare is straightforward. Avoid touching the treated area for the first few hours, and do not apply makeup for 12 hours. Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, and swimming for 24 to 48 hours. Apply a gentle moisturiser and broad-spectrum sunscreen from the following day. Most patients can return to their normal routine the day after treatment.
Results Timeline & Combining with Other Treatments
When Will I See Results?
Unlike dermal fillers, which provide an immediate visible change, polynucleotides work gradually as the biological processes of collagen synthesis and tissue regeneration unfold. Most patients begin to notice subtle improvements in skin hydration and luminosity within two to three weeks of their first treatment.
The most significant results become apparent four to six weeks after completing the full treatment course, as the cumulative effects of fibroblast stimulation reach their peak. Improvements continue to develop for up to three months after the final session as newly formed collagen matures and strengthens.
The effects of a full treatment course typically last six to twelve months, depending on the individual's age, skin condition, and lifestyle factors. Annual maintenance sessions — usually one to two treatments — can help sustain the results long-term.
Combining Polynucleotides with Other Treatments
One of the great strengths of polynucleotide therapy is its compatibility with other aesthetic treatments. Because polynucleotides improve skin quality at a cellular level, they can enhance the outcomes of complementary procedures:
- With dermal fillers: Polynucleotides improve the quality of the skin envelope, while fillers restore lost volume. This combination is particularly effective for patients with both skin quality concerns and volumetric loss.
- With Profhilo: Combining the deep hydration of Profhilo with the regenerative effects of polynucleotides provides both immediate and long-term skin improvement. This is an excellent protocol for patients with dehydrated, ageing skin.
- With microneedling: Polynucleotides can be used before or after a course of microneedling to amplify the collagen-stimulating effects. The treatments should be spaced at least two weeks apart.
- With botulinum toxin: For patients who have both dynamic wrinkles and poor skin quality, combining muscle-relaxing injections with polynucleotides addresses both the cause and the consequence of facial ageing.
Dr Langdon will create a personalised treatment plan that sequences your treatments for optimal results, ensuring adequate intervals between procedures and tailoring the approach to your specific concerns.
Related Treatments & Comparisons
To explore the polynucleotide treatments we offer in more detail and to compare them with other skin rejuvenation options, visit the following pages:
- Polynucleotides — our main treatment page with pricing, FAQs, and booking information.
- Ameela — detailed information on the Ameela range and its applications.
- Plinest — learn about Plinest and Plinest Eye for periorbital rejuvenation.
- Newest — information on this bio-revitalisation polynucleotide treatment.
- Ameela vs Plinest — a side-by-side comparison of the two leading polynucleotide brands.
- Polynucleotides vs Skin Boosters — understand the key differences between these two categories of skin treatment.
- Profhilo vs Polynucleotides — compare the UK's most popular skin booster with polynucleotide therapy.
Why we start with a consultation
Every treatment begins with a medical assessment. We need to understand your medical history, current health, skin condition and concerns before prescribing any procedure. This protects your safety and ensures the treatment is clinically appropriate for you.
During your consultation, your clinician will explain what the treatment can realistically achieve, any risks specific to you, and whether an alternative might be more appropriate. Consultations are carried out by our doctors or advanced aesthetic practitioners, depending on the treatment or concern being assessed.
All bookings are subject to our Booking Conditions.
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Start free skin analysis →Doctor-led approach
- Treatment suitability is assessed by our doctors or advanced aesthetic practitioners during a clinical consultation, depending on the treatment
- Prescribing responsibility sits with Dr Selena Langdon (GMC 6159259)
- No same-day injectable treatments for new patients
- Read our full Consultation & Safety Standards
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual suitability for any treatment is assessed during a consultation. Always seek the guidance of a qualified medical professional with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.
- CQC registered clinic — regulated and inspected
- Doctor-led clinical oversight by Dr Selena Langdon (GMC 6159259)
- Complaints process and patient rights
Page last reviewed: April 2026
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