What Are Polynucleotides?
Polynucleotide therapy is one of the newest and most promising treatments to arrive in the Irish aesthetic market. Based on decades of medical research into tissue regeneration and wound healing, polynucleotides represent a fundamentally different approach to skin rejuvenation, one that works with your body's own biology to repair, regenerate, and revitalise the skin from within.
Polynucleotides, specifically PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide), are short, purified chains of nucleotides, the basic building blocks of all DNA, derived from salmon or trout DNA. They do not contain any genetic information or living material. When injected into the skin, these fragments activate a cascade of biological processes that stimulate fibroblast activity, promote collagen and elastin production, improve cellular turnover, and enhance tissue hydration. The result is skin with measurably improved structure and function, not just appearance.
In Ireland, polynucleotide treatments have gained rapid popularity since becoming widely available, with clinics across Dublin, Cork, Galway, and other cities now offering brands such as Ameela, Plinest, Nucleofill, and PhilArt. The treatment has generated particular excitement for its effectiveness in the under-eye area, one of the most challenging zones to treat in aesthetics, and for its ability to improve skin quality in ways that complement existing treatments like Profhilo and skin boosters.
What makes polynucleotides particularly compelling is their strong scientific foundation. PDRN has been used in medical settings for over two decades, in wound healing, burns treatment, and tissue repair, before being adapted for aesthetic use. Their application in aesthetic medicine is more recent, with growing clinical experience over the past several years. This gives practitioners and patients greater confidence in both safety and efficacy compared to some newer aesthetic innovations.
Important note: Some salmon-derived polynucleotide products have had their CE Mark withdrawn. Many practitioners have transitioned to trout-derived formulations. When choosing a practitioner, ask which product they use and confirm it holds current CE marking.
How Do Polynucleotide Treatments Work?
Polynucleotides work at a cellular level to stimulate the skin's natural repair and regeneration processes. Research, primarily from wound healing and tissue repair settings, suggests that polynucleotides trigger several beneficial biological responses.
The biological mechanism:
When PDRN fragments are injected into the dermis, they bind to adenosine A2A receptors on cell surfaces. This triggers a series of responses:
- Fibroblast stimulation: Fibroblasts are the cells responsible for producing collagen, elastin, and other components of the skin's structural matrix. PDRN stimulates these cells to become more active, increasing the production of new structural proteins.
- Anti-inflammatory action: By activating the A2A receptor pathway, polynucleotides reduce chronic low-grade inflammation, a key driver of skin ageing (sometimes called "inflammageing").
- Improved microcirculation: PDRN promotes the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), improving blood supply and nutrient delivery to the treated tissue.
- Enhanced hydration: Polynucleotides have water-attracting properties that help improve tissue hydration, though through a different mechanism than hyaluronic acid.
- Antioxidant scavenging: The treatment helps neutralise free radicals that contribute to cellular damage and premature ageing.
The treatment process:
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Consultation: Your practitioner assesses your skin, discusses your concerns, and determines the most appropriate product and protocol for your needs.
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Preparation: The treatment area is cleansed and a topical anaesthetic cream is applied 20–30 minutes before the procedure.
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Injection: Using a fine needle or cannula, the polynucleotide product is injected into the dermal layer of the skin. Injection techniques vary by area, the under-eye area typically uses a cannula for safety and comfort, while broader facial rejuvenation may use multiple small needle injections.
Under-eye treatments: The under-eye area is one of the most popular applications for polynucleotides. However, this delicate area requires particular expertise due to the thin skin and complex anatomy. Always ensure your practitioner has specific periorbital injection experience and is comfortable treating the under-eye area.
- Post-treatment: A soothing product may be applied. The entire procedure takes approximately 20 to 40 minutes.
Results develop gradually over 4 to 6 weeks as the biological processes stimulated by the treatment take effect. Most patients notice progressive improvement in skin texture, firmness, hydration, and overall quality over this period.