Taula de Continguts
- What polynucleotides are and where they come from
- What research says about how they act in the skin
- Polynucleotides, hyaluronic acid and skin boosters: three different ideas
- The areas in the catalogue: face, under-eye, neck, décolletage and scars
- Sessions and timing: what is known and what is not
- Side effects and when to consult first
- How we work at Santé Madrid
- Frequently asked questions
Polynucleotides are fragments of purified DNA, generally of marine origin, that are injected into the skin with the aim of supporting its own repair processes rather than filling or relaxing. At Santé Madrid they are part of the catalogue for the face, under-eye area, neck, décolletage and scars, always after a medical assessment. In this guide we explain what they are according to the scientific literature, what is and is not known about how they work, how they differ from hyaluronic acid and from skin boosters, how sessions are usually planned and which side effects are worth knowing about.
Key points
- Injectable polynucleotides are DNA-derived biopolymers, usually obtained from salmon or trout and purified.
- They are not a volume filler: research mainly studies them for their possible effect on skin quality.
- The evidence is promising but still limited, with small studies and short follow-up.
- The side effects described in studies are usually mild and short-lived, such as redness, swelling or small bruises.
- The medical team decides whether they are indicated in your case and in which area. Results vary from skin to skin.
What polynucleotides are and where they come from
A review published in 2025 describes them as DNA-derived biopolymers that have been studied for decades for their possible role in wound healing and skin rejuvenation (review on PDRN and polynucleotides, 2025). Put simply, they are chains of nucleotides, the building blocks of DNA, which are extracted, purified and prepared for medical or cosmetic use.
As for their origin, a systematic review of their use in aesthetic medicine explains that the most common products come from purified DNA from salmon or trout gonads (systematic review of polynucleotides in aesthetic medicine, 2025). That is why, if you have any known allergy, it is worth mentioning at your consultation.
You may also have come across the abbreviation PDRN. The 2025 review notes that the terms PDRN and PN have been used interchangeably in the literature for chains of different lengths, which has caused confusion, and proposes keeping "polynucleotides" for the longer chains (review on PDRN and polynucleotides). For you, the practical consequence is that not every product with this name is the same, and that choosing the product is the medical team's job.
What research says about how they act in the skin
The title of this article talks about regenerating the skin from within, and that needs some nuance. What the literature describes are proposed mechanisms, observed mostly in the laboratory, not a regeneration proven in every person.
According to the 2025 review, two main pathways are proposed: on the one hand, the fragments are broken down and their components act on receptors in fibroblasts, the cells that produce collagen, which has been associated with an anti-inflammatory and cell-stimulating effect; on the other, those components could be reused as material for cells to make proteins such as collagen or elastin (review on PDRN and polynucleotides). The same review explains that long chains, because they hold water, can form gels that stay in the skin longer than short chains.
In humans, a systematic review of randomised trials published in 2026 described improvements in wrinkles, scar quality and wound healing, but stresses that the evidence is limited by small samples, very different protocols and varied ways of measuring results (systematic review of randomised trials, 2026). The 2025 review reaches a similar conclusion: there is potential, but there is no consensus on how best to use them and higher-quality studies are needed (systematic review, 2025).
Polynucleotides, hyaluronic acid and skin boosters: three different ideas
They are easy to confuse because all three are injected and all three are linked to skin quality, but they serve different goals. A 2026 review comparing hyaluronic acid and polynucleotides in the under-eye area sums up the difference well: hyaluronic acid filler remains the reference for correcting volume, while polynucleotides show improvements in dermal quality measures such as elasticity, hydration and fine lines (review of hyaluronic acid versus polynucleotides for the under-eye area, 2026).
Skin boosters are a broader category. A 2024 review gathers papers that define skin boosters as injectables designed to improve the texture, elasticity and hydration of the skin, and that include within this family products with polynucleotides and products with hyaluronic acid (review of polynucleotides in aesthetic medicine, 2024). In the Santé Madrid catalogue they appear as separate treatments, and the choice depends on your skin.
| Treatment | Main goal | What it is not meant to do |
|---|---|---|
| Polynucleotides | Support skin quality: elasticity, hydration and fine lines | Add volume or redefine contours |
| Hyaluronic acid filler | Correct volume and contour in specific areas | Replace work on skin quality |
| Skin boosters | Improve texture, elasticity and hydration overall | Fill deep folds or volume loss |
These categories are not mutually exclusive. If your case combines volume loss and thin skin, the medical team may propose a plan that uses more than one option, always after assessing you.
The areas in the catalogue: face, under-eye, neck, décolletage and scars
At Santé Madrid we use polynucleotides in five areas. Each has its own particularities and a different level of evidence, so we present them separately.
Face. This is where a good share of the studies is concentrated. According to the 2025 systematic review, the included studies mainly treated crow's feet, but also cheeks, nasolabial folds and post-inflammatory pigmentation (systematic review, 2025). You can see how we approach it on the facial polynucleotides page.
Under-eye. The 2026 under-eye review notes that the skin in this area is thin and prone to swelling (review of hyaluronic acid versus polynucleotides). A 2026 systematic review of the periorbital area observed short-term improvements with a favourable safety profile, but regards the findings as preliminary because the studies were carried out in specific populations and none followed patients for more than a few months (periorbital systematic review, 2026). More details in polynucleotides for dark circles.
Neck and décolletage. These areas are often exposed to the sun and are sometimes forgotten in skincare routines. The 2024 review includes a paper on ageing of the neck skin, although with a low level of evidence according to the review's own classification (2024 review). You can read more in polynucleotides for the neck.
Scars. The 2026 review of randomised trials included a study on preventing postoperative scars, and the 2025 review includes papers on acne scars (review of trials, 2026; systematic review, 2025). These are limited data, and not all scars respond in the same way.
Sessions and timing: what is known and what is not
This is one of the most common questions, and the honest answer is that there is no single protocol. The 2026 under-eye review points out that protocols are not yet standardised, with differences in injection depth, frequency and total number of sessions, and that study follow-up is usually short, so how long the effect lasts and the ideal maintenance are unclear (review of hyaluronic acid versus polynucleotides).
In the studies reviewed, treatments were usually planned as a series of several sessions a few weeks apart, not as a single session (systematic review, 2025). That fits with the idea of a treatment that aims to accompany the skin's own processes, which are gradual.
What does this mean for you? That we will not give you an exact date for results or a fixed number of sessions before seeing you. The plan is decided at the consultation according to the area, the condition of your skin and your goals, and it is reviewed over time. Results vary from skin to skin, and another option may make more sense in your case.
Side effects and when to consult first
Like any injection, polynucleotides can cause local reactions. The 2025 systematic review states that none of the included studies described serious adverse events, and that the most frequent were pain at the site, swelling, itching, bruising and redness, which usually resolved in less than a week (systematic review, 2025). In the periorbital area, the 2026 review describes reactions such as redness, swelling, bruising and local tenderness, short-lived and lasting a few days (periorbital systematic review).
The fact that studies describe a favourable profile does not mean the risk is zero, and follow-up is short. That is why the treatment is performed by the medical team after reviewing your medical history.
In all these cases, mention it at your consultation. The medical team will decide whether to postpone, adapt or choose another option.
How we work at Santé Madrid
Santé Clinics Madrid is at C. de Amador de los Ríos, 1, Chamberí, 28010 Madrid. We are open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 21:00 and on Saturdays from 10:00 to 15:00; the clinic is closed on Sundays.
The process starts with a free aesthetic consultation with a Beauty Coach, where we talk about what concerns you and about your routine. If an injectable treatment is being considered, the next step is a medical consultation, which costs €50. There, the Santé Madrid medical team reviews your medical history, the area and the quality of your skin, and explains whether polynucleotides make sense or whether another option fits better, for example a skin booster or a hyaluronic acid filler.
Dry air, indoor heating in winter and sun exposure can leave skin feeling tight or dull, and we take this into account when talking about home care, such as daily sun protection. Polynucleotides do not replace that care.
We make no promises about results. We prefer to explain calmly what you can expect in your case, what the evidence says and where its limits are, before starting.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly are polynucleotides?
They are fragments of purified DNA, usually from salmon or trout, that are injected into the skin. Research studies them for their possible effect on skin quality, with evidence that is still limited.
Do polynucleotides fill like hyaluronic acid?
That is not their purpose. Hyaluronic acid is used to correct volume, while polynucleotides are studied mainly for their effect on elasticity, hydration and fine lines.
How many sessions will I need?
There is no standardised protocol. Studies usually plan several sessions a few weeks apart, but the number is decided at the consultation according to your skin and the area.
When are changes noticeable?
Changes, if they appear, are usually gradual and vary from person to person. Studies have short follow-up, so we cannot give you an exact date.
What side effects can occur?
Those described in studies are usually mild and short-lived: redness, swelling, itching, discomfort at the site or small bruises. If something does not improve within a few days, message us and we will check it.
Can dark circles be treated with polynucleotides?
The under-eye area is in our catalogue. The evidence in this area is preliminary and, if the dark circle is mainly due to volume loss, the medical team may consider other options.
Who should not have this treatment?
It is worth consulting first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have known allergies, an infection or lesion in the area, or take anticoagulants. The medical team assesses each case.
How much does the assessment cost at Santé Madrid?
The aesthetic consultation with a Beauty Coach is free and the medical consultation costs €50. There we explain whether the treatment makes sense in your case.
If you are concerned about the quality of your skin on the face, under the eyes, on the neck, the décolletage or a scar, a consultation at Santé Madrid will help you understand whether polynucleotides are right for you. We will calmly explain what the evidence says and what you can expect.
