Salmon DNA (PDRN)
Skin quality, not volume.
Polynucleotides derived from purified salmon DNA, delivered into the skin to support hydration, elasticity and texture over a course of sessions.
PDRN — polydeoxyribonucleotide — is a chain of purified nucleotides, and the source used in aesthetic medicine is salmon DNA, chosen because its structure is highly compatible with human tissue.
It is delivered into the skin through a series of fine injections across the treated area, usually with topical anaesthetic first. The appointment is short. A course of three or more sessions, spaced a few weeks apart, is the normal recommendation, because this is a treatment that works cumulatively.
It is not a filler
This is the most common misunderstanding about it, and it changes whether you will be satisfied with the result.
Filler adds volume. It sits in a layer of the face and physically fills what it is placed into, and you see the change the same day. PDRN does none of that. It is placed to improve the condition of the skin itself — hydration, elasticity, the fineness of the texture — and the change appears gradually as the skin responds.
If what bothers you is a hollow, a flat mid-face or an undefined chin, PDRN is not the treatment for it and no number of sessions will make it one. If what bothers you is skin that looks tired, crepey or dehydrated, then it is aimed at the right thing.
Afterwards
Small raised points where the injections were placed are normal and settle within hours to a day. Mild redness, swelling or tenderness in the area is common for a day or two, and bruising is possible.
The result develops over the weeks that follow and builds across the course rather than appearing after the first session. Keep the skin hydrated, avoid intense heat and direct sun in the days after, and use sunscreen daily.
One practical note: it is derived from salmon. If you have a fish allergy, tell us at the consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, and the difference matters. Filler adds volume immediately. PDRN is placed to improve the condition of the skin — hydration, elasticity, texture — and works gradually. It will not fill a hollow.
A course of three or more, spaced a few weeks apart, is the usual recommendation. It is a cumulative treatment rather than a one-off.
It involves a series of fine injections and topical anaesthetic is normally applied first. Most people describe it as tolerable rather than painful.
Small raised points at the injection sites for a few hours, and possible mild redness, swelling or bruising for a day or two.
Over the weeks that follow, building across the course. There is no immediate visible change of the kind filler produces.
Tell us at the consultation. The polynucleotides are derived from salmon DNA, so a fish allergy is directly relevant and needs to be assessed before treatment.
Start with a consultation.
We will discuss what you would like to achieve, explain how the treatment works and help you understand what you can realistically expect.
Related treatments
- LipoZero 5DA non-invasive body-contouring treatment for localised fat. Consultation-led, measured, and grounded in realistic expectations.
- Microneedling with DermapenProfessional microneedling for acne scars, skin texture and skin quality — assessed and delivered by a practitioner.
- Skin RejuvenationAn assessment-led approach to dullness, uneven tone and texture — working with your skin's own renewal rather than resurfacing it aggressively.
Further reading
- LipoZero 5D: What Body Contouring Can Realistically AchieveNon-invasive body contouring explained: how it works, what the published research shows, who it may suit, and why expectations matter.
- Microneedling for Acne Scars: What It Can and Cannot DoMicroneedling improves some acne scars well and others barely. Which scar types respond, how many sessions it takes, and darker skin advice.