Polynucleotides are injectable skin boosting treatments made from purified DNA fragments, usually salmon-derived. They suit crepey, textured, or tired-looking skin, including delicate areas like the under-eyes, and cost roughly AED 900 to 2,500 per session in Dubai, typically across a course of three to four. They do a different job from Profhilo, which is built mainly for hydration and firmness.
Polynucleotides: What is it and what to expect?
| Detail | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| What it is | An injectable skin-quality treatment made from purified DNA fragments, usually salmon-derived |
| Best for | Crepey or thin skin, fine lines, texture, acne-scar texture, under-eyes, neck |
| Session time | About 20–45 minutes, including numbing |
| Sessions needed | Usually 3–4, spaced 2–4 weeks apart |
| Downtime | Small bumps, redness, and tenderness; usually settles within hours to a few days |
| When results show | Gradually, over weeks |
| Maintenance | Roughly every 3–6 months |
| Not suitable for | Pregnancy or breastfeeding, active skin infection, known fish allergy |
Who are polynucleotides right for?
Polynucleotides tend to work best for skin that looks thin, crepey, dull, or worn down, rather than skin that has lost volume. That includes early-to-moderate signs of aging, fine lines, loss of elasticity, and acne-scar texture. They’re also commonly used on areas where heavier injectables aren’t a good fit, such as the under-eyes, neck, and décolletage.
They’re a good match if you want gradual, natural-looking improvement in skin quality and you don’t want to change the shape or volume of your face. Results build over weeks because the treatment works by supporting your skin’s own repair processes. We can easily say that it’s natural and accelerating the natural processes of skin regeneration.
What if this treatment is not suitable for you?
Treatment is generally avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding, because there isn’t enough safety data. It’s also not suitable if you have an active skin infection or inflammation in the treatment area, or a known allergy to fish or fish-derived ingredients, since the material is salmon-derived. If you have an autoimmune condition or take blood-thinning medication, tell your specialist before booking, as both can affect bruising and healing.
On the other side, plynucleotides aren’t a lifting or volumizing treatment. If your main concern is cheek volume, jawline definition, or deep lines, filler, anti-wrinkle injections, or an energy-based tightening treatment will likely do more for you. If that sounds like you, we’d tell you so at your consultation rather than sell you a course that won’t deliver what you want.
For lifting and eliminating fine lines you can check Morpheus8, HIFU and CO2 laser.
Polynucleotides vs. Profhilo: Which One Should You Choose?
Both treatments solve different problems, and the right choice depends on what your skin actually needs.
Profhilo is a hyaluronic acid-based treatment that spreads through the tissue and mainly improves hydration and overall firmness. Polynucleotides are regenerative: they treat texture, crepiness, scarring, and skin that needs repair. If dehydration and early loosening are your main issues, Profhilo is usually the more direct fit. If thin, textured, or damaged skin is the bigger problem, or you want to treat the under-eyes, polynucleotides are usually the better starting point.
Many people have a bit of both. In that case, the two can be staged or combined as part of one plan, but not necessarily in the same session. Your specialist will advise on sequencing, particularly around the eyes, where swelling and vascular risks matter more. For a deeper look at Profhilo and how it compares with other skin boosters, see our guide: Biorevitalization vs. Profhilo vs. Mesotherapy.
What science says?
The evidence for polynucleotides is promising, but still young. A 2026 systematic review of seven randomized trials, covering 183 participants, found improvements in wrinkle-related outcomes, scar quality, and patient satisfaction, with no serious treatment-related side effects reported. A separate 2025 review of nine aesthetic studies involving 219 patients found significant improvements in wrinkles, texture, and elasticity in several of them.
Studies vary in methods and size, therefore actual results should be interpreted individually case by case.
How much do Polynucleotides cost in Dubai?
Pricing varies by product, treatment area, and clinic. Across Dubai, a single session typically falls between roughly AED 900 and 2,500, with premium branded protocols at the higher end. Because results come from a course rather than a single visit, plan for three to four sessions when you compare prices.
When you compare quotes between clinics, check what’s included: the consultation, numbing, the exact product and amount used, and aftercare. A lower per-session price isn’t a better deal if it covers less product or fewer sessions.
What to Expect: Treatment and Recovery
Your appointment starts with a consultation, then numbing cream. The specialist injects small amounts of product across the treatment area, and the session usually takes 20 to 45 minutes including numbing.
Afterward, expect small raised bumps at the injection points, some redness, and tenderness. Occasionally there’s bruising. These usually settle within hours to a few days. We advise avoiding makeup, strenuous exercise, saunas, and alcohol for around 24 to 48 hours, and your specialist will confirm what applies to you.
Rarer risks include infection, allergic reaction, and prolonged swelling. Treatment close to the eyes carries an additional, very rare risk of vascular injury, which is why under-eye treatment should only be done by an experienced medical professional with a clear complication plan. Contact your clinic straight away if you notice worsening pain, skin that looks pale or mottled, spreading redness, fever, or any change in vision.
How many sessions do you need?
Most protocols start with three to four sessions, spaced two to four weeks apart, followed by maintenance roughly every three to six months. Under-eye treatment often needs a more conservative, product-specific plan, so don’t assume the full-face protocol applies there.
Questions to ask before you book polynucleotides
Salmon DNA is a description, not proof of quality, so it’s worth asking a few things at any clinic, including ours:
- Which exact product will I receive, at what concentration, and can I see the batch details?
- Who will perform the injections, and are they a licensed medical professional?
- How many sessions do you recommend for my skin, and what results should I realistically expect at 4, 8, and 12 weeks?
- What does the price include, and what is the maintenance plan afterward?
- How do you manage bruising, swelling, and complications, especially around the eyes?
- Do my medications, allergies, or medical history change whether this is right for me?
Sources
- 2026 systematic review of PN/PDRN randomized trials: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13453133
- 2025 review of polynucleotides in aesthetic medicine: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jocd.16721
- Review on polynucleotides and aesthetic outcomes: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11311621
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