Polynucleotides
Short Summary
Polynucleotides are an injectable regenerative treatment designed to improve skin quality by supporting the skin's natural repair and regeneration processes. They can help improve skin hydration, elasticity, fine lines, texture and overall skin quality, making them particularly useful for areas where the skin is thin, delicate or showing early signs of ageing.
Polynucleotide treatment can be used on the face, under eyes, neck, chest and hands. Under-eye polynucleotides are particularly suited to patients whose concerns are related to skin quality, fine lines, laxity or a tired-looking appearance rather than primarily a loss of volume.
For patients concerned about under-eye hollowness caused primarily by volume loss, tear trough filler may be a more appropriate treatment. During consultation, Dr Sultan will assess whether the main concern is volume loss, skin quality or a combination of factors before recommending the most appropriate approach.
Key Information
Price: From £431
Areas: Face, Neck, Chest, Hands, Under Eyes
Time: 30 minutes
Recovery: Up to 48 hours
Pain: Non - Mild (with numbing)
Frequency: 3 treatments over 2 months, then 1 treatment every 6 months.
Additional information
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Polynucleotides are designed to improve overall skin quality rather than simply adding volume. They can support the skin's natural regenerative processes and improve hydration, elasticity and texture.
They may be suitable for patients looking to improve:
Fine lines and early signs of ageing
Skin laxity and reduced elasticity
Dehydrated or tired-looking skin
Uneven skin texture
The appearance of certain scars
Under-eye skin quality and fine lines
Thin, delicate skin beneath the eyes
Loss of firmness around the eyes
Overall facial skin quality
Under-eye polynucleotides are increasingly used where the main concern is delicate, ageing or lax skin beneath the eyes. Unlike tear trough filler, they do not primarily work by adding volume to a hollow. Instead, the treatment is intended to improve the quality and condition of the skin.
If your under-eye concern is primarily caused by a hollow or volume loss, tear trough filler may be a more appropriate option. Dr Sultan can assess whether volume restoration, skin regeneration or a combination of approaches is most suitable for your anatomy.
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Polynucleotides contain purified DNA fragments that are used in aesthetic medicine to support tissue repair and regeneration. They are thought to stimulate fibroblast activity and support processes involved in collagen production and skin regeneration.
Rather than creating immediate structural volume like a dermal filler, polynucleotides are used to improve the underlying quality of the skin over time. This makes them particularly relevant for delicate areas such as the under eyes, where adding volume may not always be appropriate.
Treatment may help improve skin hydration, elasticity, texture and the appearance of fine lines as the skin's regenerative processes are supported. The treatment is therefore different from traditional dermal fillers, which are primarily used to restore volume, enhance contours or improve facial proportions.
Polynucleotides for under eyes
The under-eye area has particularly thin and delicate skin and can develop fine lines, laxity, dehydration and changes in skin quality as we age. Polynucleotides can be considered when these skin-quality changes are contributing to a tired or aged appearance.
Under-eye polynucleotides are not the same as tear trough filler. Polynucleotides focus on supporting skin quality and regeneration, whereas tear trough filler uses hyaluronic acid to restore volume beneath the eyes.
Some patients may be suitable for one treatment, while others may benefit from a combination approach. The appropriate option depends on whether the dominant concern is skin quality, volume loss, pigmentation, laxity, eye bags or a combination of these factors.
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Polynucleotides can form part of a wider skin rejuvenation treatment plan depending on your individual concerns.
Skin tightening and lifting can be achieved with Morpheus8®, which may be considered alongside regenerative injectable treatments where appropriate.
For patients concerned about facial volume loss or hollowing, dermal fillers can be considered to restore volume and enhance facial contours.
For under-eye concerns specifically, tear trough filler may be considered where volume loss is the primary cause of the hollow or shadow.
For a younger-looking complexion, Botox® can be effective primarily in the upper face, while filler can be used for contour and definition in the lower face.
All patients can benefit from a comprehensive skincare regimen tailored to their skin type and history of sun and pollutant exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Polynucleotides are injectable regenerative treatments containing purified DNA fragments. They are used to support the skin's natural repair processes and improve characteristics such as hydration, elasticity, texture and fine lines rather than simply adding facial volume.
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Polynucleotides can be used to improve skin quality in several areas, including the face, under eyes, neck, chest and hands.
They may be considered for concerns such as fine lines, reduced elasticity, dehydration, uneven texture and signs of ageing.
Under-eye polynucleotides can be particularly useful when the concern is related to thin, delicate or lax skin rather than a significant loss of volume.
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Polynucleotides and tear trough filler address different aspects of under-eye ageing. Polynucleotides are designed to improve skin quality and support regeneration, while tear trough filler uses hyaluronic acid to restore volume beneath the eyes.
If you are unsure whether your under-eye concern is caused by skin quality or volume loss, a consultation can help determine which approach is most appropriate.
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Following treatment:
Avoid touching or massaging the treated areas unnecessarily.
For the first 24 hours, keep the treated area clean and avoid applying irritating skincare products.
Do not apply makeup around the injected areas for 12 hours.
Avoid direct sunlight for 24 hours following treatment.
Avoid excessive heat, saunas and steam rooms immediately after treatment.
Follow the specific skincare and aftercare advice provided by Dr Sultan.
Small bumps, redness, swelling or tenderness around the injection points can occur following treatment and generally settle over the following hours or days.
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As with any injectable treatment, polynucleotides carry some risks.
Minor and temporary effects may include:
Bruising
Swelling
Redness
Tenderness
Small bumps at injection sites
Less common complications can include:
Infection
Allergic reaction
Prolonged swelling
Inflammatory reactions
A consultation is important to assess your suitability, discuss potential risks and determine the most appropriate treatment approach for the area being treated.
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Prior to arrival
A week before treatment, stop using irritant topical products such as acids, retinol, vitamin C or abrasive scrubs around the treatment area.
If you are taking blood-thinning medication, including NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen, discuss with your doctor whether it is appropriate to discontinue their use. Do not stop prescribed medication without medical advice.
On arrival
Dr Sultan will assist with the removal of any makeup and discuss your concerns before reviewing your medical history.
The treatment area will be assessed and photographed. Once a treatment plan has been agreed, a numbing cream may be applied where appropriate. Polynucleotides are then administered using a fine needle to the selected treatment area. The treatment typically takes around 30 minutes.
The exact injection technique and treatment area will depend on your individual anatomy and concerns.
Results
Polynucleotides are not designed to create the immediate volumising effect associated with dermal fillers. Improvements in skin quality develop progressively as the skin's regenerative processes are supported. Your practitioner will discuss the expected treatment timeline and recommended course during your consultation.
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The treatment is unsuitable for:
Patients who are pregnant
Patients who are breastfeeding
Patients with an active infection in the treatment area
Patients with certain medical conditions or allergies that may make treatment inappropriate
Suitability is assessed on an individual basis during consultation. Dr Sultan will discuss your medical history, skin concerns and treatment goals before recommending polynucleotides.