Polynucleotides (PN/PDRN): A 2026 Guide to Injectable Skin Regeneration

Polynucleotides have moved from a niche regenerative option to one of the most talked-about categories in aesthetic medicine, and the interest is not simply marketing. As the field shifts away from volume-first thinking toward skin quality — texture, elasticity, hydration and resilience — a group of injectables that work by supporting the skin's own repair machinery, rather than filling it, has found a clear place on the treatment menu. This guide sets out what polynucleotides are, how they differ from the products practitioners already use, and where they fit.

What Polynucleotides Are

Polynucleotides (PN) are chains of nucleotides — the building blocks of DNA — most commonly purified from the sperm DNA of salmon or trout, species whose DNA is highly compatible with human tissue. A closely related term, PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide), refers to a specific, well-characterised fraction of these fragments. In practice the two terms are often used loosely; the shared idea is a highly purified, biocompatible DNA-fragment gel injected into the skin to support regeneration.

Crucially, polynucleotides are not dermal fillers. They add little to no immediate volume. Their purpose is biological: to create a favourable environment for the skin to repair and rebuild itself.

How They Work

Once placed in the dermis, polynucleotides are understood to support several overlapping processes: they stimulate fibroblasts — the cells that produce collagen and elastin — encourage the formation of small blood vessels (angiogenesis) that improve tissue oxygenation, exert an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect, and act as a hydrating scaffold that holds water within the tissue. The intended net result is skin that looks firmer, more even and better hydrated over a course of treatment, rather than instantly plumped.

Indications

Polynucleotides are positioned for skin-quality concerns rather than contouring:

• Fine lines, crepiness and loss of elasticity
• Dull, dehydrated or fatigued skin
• The delicate under-eye area, where skin thinness is a concern
• Post-inflammatory or textural irregularity as part of a wider plan
• Scalp and hair-supportive protocols (specific formulations)

The Main Ranges

Several established families sit within the polynucleotide category, each with its own positioning:

• Plinest and Newest by Mastelli — the Italian range that helped define the category, with variants for the face, the eye area, the scalp and combined PN-plus-hyaluronic-acid formulations.
• PolyPhil — a range spanning facial, periocular and hair-supportive presentations.
• Rejuran — the Korean range built on polynucleotide technology, with dedicated presentations for general skin, the under-eye area and targeted concerns.

The full polynucleotide range is stocked on the catalogue.

Treatment Course

Polynucleotides are typically delivered as a short course of micro-injections or bolus points across the treatment area, commonly two to three sessions spaced roughly two to three weeks apart, with a maintenance session later in the year. Because the effect is regenerative rather than immediate, results build gradually and are generally described as developing over the weeks following a completed course.

What to Expect Afterwards

As with most micro-injection techniques, transient redness, swelling, small papules at injection points, or mild bruising are commonly reported and usually settle within hours to a few days. A cold compress is generally sufficient to manage these effects.

Contraindications and Patient Selection

Standard injectable exclusions apply: known hypersensitivity to any formulation component, pregnancy and lactation, active infection or inflammatory skin disease at the treatment site, and significant bleeding disorders. Because most polynucleotide products are derived from fish DNA, a fish-allergy history is a particularly relevant part of the pre-treatment assessment and should not be overlooked. Autoimmune conditions warrant individual clinical judgement.

Where They Fit

Polynucleotides complement rather than replace existing tools. They pair naturally with hyaluronic-acid skinboosters — which lead on hydration — and can precede or accompany a volumising plan, preparing skin quality before or alongside filler. For patients whose primary concern is the condition of the skin rather than lost volume, they are often the more appropriate first step.

The Takeaway

Polynucleotides are a regenerative category, not a filler: they work by supporting the skin's own repair processes to improve quality over a course of treatment. With well-established ranges now widely available, they have become a core part of the 2026 skin-quality menu — best used with clear patient selection and realistic, gradual expectations.

Explore the polynucleotide range on the catalogue.