Are Polynucleotides a type of filler?

If you’re looking to improve elasticity, soften fine lines or reduce hollowness in certain areas of the face, you might want to consider a new breed of injectable that’s quickly gaining traction in the world of aesthetics. Polynucleotides are an injectable bio-stimulator made from fragments of fish DNA extracted from salmon or trout sperm, which closely resemble human DNA. The purpose of injecting polynucleotides is to activate tired, aged, and damaged cells to act younger and get to work again, promoting skin repair. So, how exactly do they work? What are their benefits? And how do they compare to traditional hyaluronic acid fillers? Read on for everything you need to know…

What are polynucleotides and how do they work?

Polynucleotides are essentially a skin booster. They improve the skin quality in the area injected by providing the building blocks of skin hydration and stimulating the generation of fibroblasts and collagen. They help with cellular repair and regeneration, moisturisation, and protection against harmful external agents such as UV rays.

The polynucleotide chains attract and bind water molecules, allowing them to provide a strong moisturising effect, which can contribute to improved tissue elasticity. They have a remarkable anti-free radical action. They counteract the skin damage which can accumulate due to various stressors, including cellular damage, stress, and exposure to UV rays, giving them a protective and cell damage reduction role. Polynucleotides create an optimal environment for fibroblast growth, essential cells for tissue repair and regeneration.

What are their benefits?

All that collagen-boosting, extra hydration and elasticity means you can think of polynucleotides as a super-charged injectable moisture treatment. They can be a preventative treatment for younger skin, or a recovery treatment for ageing skin.

They aid in reducing fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin texture and smoothness by promoting the formation of new skin cells and enhancing overall skin health. They exhibit hydrating properties and improve the skin’s ability to retain water, promoting healthier and more supple skin. They can soothe and calm skin, reducing redness, irritation, and inflammation caused by various skin conditions, including acne, eczema, hyperpigmentation, and rosacea.

They’re also very effective in treating loss of elasticity in the face and neck, crepey or saggy neck, under-eye darkness, and are also useful for treating various body areas beyond the face and neck, such as the décolletage, upper arms, and conditions like acne, stretch marks, and scars.

We love using them to address darkness and laxity around the eyes as they deliver such remarkable results. They’re particularly useful for patients who aren’t suitable for tear trough filler, or who might have a tendency to puffiness if treated with hyaluronic acid-based products.

In short, there isn’t much that polynucleotides can’t do and almost anyone can benefit from their rejuvenating effects.

How do they compare to fillers? 

While both treatments are injected into the skin, that is where their similarities end. Unlike hyaluronic acid-based fillers, the results of polynucleotides aren’t as immediate because change must happen at a cellular level. Polynucleotides are used to rejuvenate the skin and improve overall skin quality whilst dermal fillers add volume to treated areas, to give structure, definition, and contour to the face. Polynucleotides don’t contain hyaluronic acid like fillers do. Instead, they are comprised of biopolymers – stretchy molecules made from fragments of fish DNA. Despite their differences, polynucleotides work very well in conjunction with HA fillers, meaning you’ll get both an instant and long-term boost.

If you’d like to learn more about these treatments or to establish what’s right for you, click here to enquire or to book a consultation.