— TREATMENT GUIDE —
Skin Boosters — Polynucleotides | Hinoki Aesthetics Ireland
Doctor-led · Cellular regeneration · Face, Neck & Under-eyes
Book Your TreatmentPolynucleotides represent one of the most significant advances in regenerative aesthetics. Unlike treatments that hydrate or volumise the skin, polynucleotides work at a cellular level — stimulating the skin's own repair mechanisms for results that improve progressively over time.
Price: €199 per session · Book Now →
What Are Polynucleotides?
Polynucleotides (often abbreviated PDRN or PN) are long chains of DNA fragments derived from purified salmon or trout DNA. When injected into the skin, they interact directly with skin cells — activating fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid.
This is a fundamentally different mechanism from most injectable treatments:
- Hyaluronic acid fillers and skin boosters add a substance to hydrate or volumise
- Anti-wrinkle injections relax muscles
- Polynucleotides trigger the skin's own cellular regeneration — the skin produces more of what it has lost
The result is skin that is genuinely healthier at a structural level: improved elasticity, better texture, reduced fine lines, improved hydration — all driven by the skin's own processes rather than an external substance filling the deficit.
What Can Polynucleotides Treat?
Polynucleotides are effective across a range of skin concerns:
- Fine lines and early wrinkles — particularly fine surface lines that aren't addressed well by other treatments
- Skin laxity — loss of firmness and elasticity
- Dull, tired, or dehydrated skin — lack of radiance and glow
- Thin or crepey skin — particularly around the eyes and neck
- Under-eye concerns — dark circles, hollowness, and fine lines around the eye area
- Uneven skin texture — rough, congested, or uneven surface quality
- Post-acne skin — improving texture and pigmentation
Most Popular Treatment Areas
Face — overall skin quality, fine lines, texture, and radiance. The full face can be treated in a single session.
Under-eyes — one of the standout applications of polynucleotides. The delicate under-eye area — dark circles, fine lines, hollowness — responds particularly well to this treatment, which is gentle enough for the periorbital area.
Neck — crepey neck skin, horizontal lines, and laxity around the neck area.
How It Works
Polynucleotides are injected superficially into the dermis using a very fine needle. Once in the skin, they:
- Bind to adenosine receptors on fibroblast cells
- Activate fibroblasts to increase production of collagen, elastin, and natural hyaluronic acid
- Promote tissue repair and reduce oxidative stress in the skin
- Attract growth factors that support regeneration
Because the mechanism depends on triggering the skin's own biological processes, results develop gradually — and continue to improve for weeks to months after treatment. This is a commitment to skin health rather than an immediate cosmetic fix.
Who Is It For?
Polynucleotides are well-suited to people who:
- Notice that their skin looks tired, dull, or lacks the quality it had in earlier years
- Have concerns around the under-eye area
- Want a treatment that improves skin health progressively rather than masking signs of ageing
- Are interested in a preventive approach alongside standard anti-ageing treatments
- Have skin that doesn't respond well to surface treatments alone
Polynucleotides are suitable for a wide age range — from the early 30s (preventive) to the 60s and beyond (restorative).
Polynucleotides are not suitable if you:
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have a known fish allergy (most polynucleotides are derived from salmonid DNA)
- Have active inflammation or infection in the treatment area
- Have autoimmune conditions — discuss with your doctor first
Treatment Protocol
Polynucleotide treatment follows a course structure:
- Initial course: 2–3 sessions, spaced 2–4 weeks apart
- Maintenance: 1–2 sessions per year after completing the initial course
Results improve cumulatively — each session builds on the last. The full effect of an initial course is typically visible 6–8 weeks after the final session.
What to Expect
Before Your Treatment
- Avoid blood-thinning medications and alcohol for 24 hours
- Arrive with clean skin
- Inform your doctor of any allergies, particularly to fish or seafood
During Your Treatment
A very fine needle is used to deliver polynucleotides across the treatment area with multiple small injections. The treatment typically takes 30–45 minutes depending on the area. Some patients use topical anaesthetic cream — discuss this preference with your doctor when booking.
After Your Treatment
- Mild redness, swelling, and small bumps at injection sites are normal and resolve within 24–48 hours
- Avoid touching or applying products to the treated area for 6–8 hours
- Avoid exercise, heat, and alcohol for 24 hours
- Avoid facials, chemical peels, and direct sun exposure for 1 week
When Will I See Results?
Initial improvements in hydration and skin quality are typically noticeable 2–4 weeks after the first session. Progressive improvement in texture, firmness, and elasticity continues over 3–6 months as collagen remodelling occurs. Optimal results are visible after completing the full initial course.
How Long Do Results Last?
Results from an initial course of polynucleotides can last 6–12 months. Maintenance sessions help sustain the improvement. Because the treatment works by improving the skin's own biology rather than filling it, results can feel more lasting than hydration-only treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are skin quality treatments, but they work differently. Profhilo uses a high-concentration hyaluronic acid formulation that provides deep hydration and stimulates collagen and elastin broadly. Polynucleotides use DNA-derived fragments to work at a deeper cellular level, triggering the skin's own regeneration through fibroblast activation. Polynucleotides are particularly well-suited to the under-eye area and to progressive, long-term skin health improvement. They can be used together as part of a layered treatment plan.
Dermal fillers add volume and structure using hyaluronic acid. Polynucleotides do not add volume — they stimulate the skin to improve its own quality. They treat different concerns and are often used in combination.
PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) and PN (polynucleotides) are closely related terms often used interchangeably. Both refer to DNA-derived fragments used in regenerative aesthetics. Different products use slightly different formulations. Your doctor will use a clinically appropriate product.
Yes — polynucleotides are one of the most effective treatments available for the under-eye area. The delicate periorbital skin responds well to the regenerative approach, showing improvement in fine lines, skin quality, and — in some cases — the appearance of dark circles.
An initial course of 2–3 sessions is recommended. The number depends on your skin's starting condition and your goals. Maintenance of 1–2 sessions per year sustains results.
Discomfort is mild — a light stinging or pressure sensation at injection points. The needles used are very fine. Topical anaesthetic cream can be applied before treatment if preferred.
The most common effects are mild redness, swelling, and small raised bumps at injection sites — these typically resolve within 24–48 hours. Bruising is possible. Serious adverse effects are rare when performed by a qualified practitioner.
Yes — polynucleotides work very well alongside other injectable treatments. They address different layers and mechanisms of ageing and are often incorporated into a broader treatment plan. Your doctor will advise on sequencing.
Most polynucleotide products are derived from salmonid (salmon/trout) DNA. If you have a known fish or seafood allergy, inform your doctor before treatment. This may be a contraindication depending on the severity of your allergy. Book Polynucleotides → *All treatments at Hinoki Aesthetics are performed exclusively by our qualified medical doctor.*