What they are, how they work and in which cases polynucleotides make sense
In recent months many people have asked me about polynucleotides. It is a treatment that is talked about more and more at congresses and on social media, but from which few times is it explained precisely what they are, how they work and in which situations they make sense.
My objective with this note is to offer a clear, science-based vision, with direct and easy-to-understand language.
What they are and what they really provide
Polynucleotides (PN) are DNA fragments with the capacity to improve skin function from its deepest biology.
Unlike a filler, they do not add volume nor change facial structure.
Their main action consists of helping the skin regain balance, stability and repair capacity, especially when it is thin, dehydrated or prone to irritation.
The result is not immediate nor spectacular at 24 hours.
It is a gradual process: the skin becomes more stable, more tolerant and more uniform as its mechanisms regulate.
The salmon origin: a frequent question
Many polynucleotides used in aesthetics come from purified salmon DNA or closely related species.
This usually generates questions, so it is worth explaining well.
The DNA undergoes an exhaustive purification process that eliminates proteins, cellular remains and any component that could generate a reaction. The result is ultra-purified genetic material, with no clinical relation to fish allergies.
The reason for choosing salmon is not commercial, but technical: its DNA has a stability that allows obtaining fragments especially useful for tissue regeneration.
What matters is not the animal of origin, but the molecular quality and technology used to obtain a safe and effective product.
How they act in the skin: a deeper approach
Polynucleotides create a more favorable cellular environment.
They do not "force" changes: they allow the skin to function as it should.
In clinical practice, this translates into:
• Functional activation of the fibroblast
Fibroblasts work more efficiently, producing better extracellular matrix (collagen, elastin, endogenous hyaluronic acid).
• More orderly tissue repair
PNs modulate inflammation, favoring recovery and stability processes.
• Sustained deep hydration
It is not cosmetic hydration; it is structural hydration resulting from a more efficient extracellular matrix.
• Greater tolerance and less reactivity
Many sensitive or irritated skins improve their tolerance threshold.
• Better texture and uniformity
The skin is perceived as more homogeneous, "fresher" and less fragile.
Scientific evidence supports these mechanisms, showing improvements in tissue regeneration and skin quality, with very high tolerance even in reactive skin.
PN and PDRN: clarifying the difference
Within polynucleotides there is a specific fraction called PDRN.
Both share mechanisms, but can be differentiated by their molecular size and extraction process.
In practice, the choice depends on the clinical indication and the treatment objective.
It is not a decision that should concern the patient: it is part of professional criteria.
When I indicate them in consultation
I use them when the objective is to improve the biological function of the tissue rather than transform its structure.
They are especially useful for:
- Thin or photoaged skin
- Dehydration that does not improve with cosmetics
- Increased sensitivity or tendency to irritate
- Irregular texture
- Selected superficial scars
- Recovery after procedures
- Delicate areas: under-eye, neck, décolletage
They are usually an excellent base for combined treatments, because they prepare the tissue to respond better to other techniques.
What they do NOT do (and why it is important to know)
Polynucleotides are not intended for:
- Tightening or lifting tissues
- Correcting marked sagging
- Replacing hyaluronic acid
- Modifying volumes or contours
- Generating visible changes in 24-48 hours
They are a regenerative tool, not a rapid-impact procedure.
Their value is biological depth, not immediacy.
Why they are gaining prominence
The current interest in polynucleotides is due to a general change in aesthetic medicine:
we are advancing toward treatments that support tissue biology and seek natural, progressive and sustained results over time.
This approach fits with a global trend: fewer visible interventions, more skin quality, more coherence with the physiological aging of tissue.
PNs are positioned precisely at that point: solid science, safety, naturalness and progression.
A more complete way to work the skin (extended version)
When I incorporate polynucleotides into a therapeutic plan, the objective is not to alter the structure of the face, but rather restore capabilities that the skin is losing due to multiple factors: sun, chronic low-grade inflammation, stress, hormonal alterations, collagen loss, fibroblast dysfunction.
A skin that regains stability responds better to everything we do:
- tolerates procedures better
- maintains hydration with less effort
- improves the overall quality of its structure
- presents fewer irritation outbreaks
- appears more uniform and balanced
This type of result does not appear overnight, but it does build a solid foundation for any subsequent aesthetic strategy.
This is how I understand aesthetic medicine:
a calm, clinical and precise work, that respects biology and prioritizes tissue coherence.
And polynucleotides are one of the tools that best fit this way of working.
Note: This article was originally written in Spanish and has been translated using artificial intelligence. We apologize for any errors or inaccuracies that may have occurred during the translation process. If you have any questions about the content, please feel free to contact us.
