Feel like your skin’s lost its glow? Unlike traditional injectables, polynucleotides don’t add volume. Instead, they boost your skin’s natural ability to regenerate, repair and glow. If you want to look rested rather than “done”, this is a very good place to start.
I treat every client myself, from the first consultation to aftercare, at my clinic on Pentonville Road in King’s Cross, a short walk from King’s Cross St Pancras.
What are polynucleotides?
Polynucleotides might sound complex, but the idea is simple. They are long chains of molecules that are key to your skin’s health, helping to repair and regenerate cells. They work deep within the skin to support its natural healing process and keep your complexion looking fresh.
Polynucleotides are made from purified DNA fragments. The ones used in skin treatments are highly purified from fish DNA, usually from salmon or trout. These molecules:
- trigger your body’s own collagen and elastin production
- improve skin hydration, texture and firmness
- help even out skin tone and soften signs of ageing
- stimulate tissue repair and cell regeneration
Unlike traditional skin boosters, polynucleotides work from within, giving long-term results without adding volume or altering your facial structure.
If you’re ready to improve your skin texture and tone, book a consultation. It costs £30 and is fully redeemable against any treatment you go ahead with on the day.
How do polynucleotides work?
Once they are in your skin, polynucleotides kickstart the body’s natural repair process. They encourage the production of collagen, the protein that keeps your skin firm and plump. This helps improve skin texture, soften fine lines and wrinkles, and give your skin a smoother, more even tone.
They also help calm inflammation and boost hydration, so your skin looks healthier and more radiant. They work at a cellular level, so the change is gradual: your skin starts to improve within about 14 days, and keeps improving for months after your course.
Who are polynucleotides for?
If you’ve noticed changes in your skin, such as tired or sagging skin, fine lines, wrinkles or dark circles, polynucleotides could be a good fit for you.
They suit anyone who wants to rejuvenate their skin and soften the visible signs of ageing without surgery. Because they work deeper, at a cellular level, they are a good choice for skin that needs repair, not just a drink of water: thin, crepey or sun-damaged skin, for example.
Most of my clients are women over 40 who want to look fresher without anyone being able to say what’s changed. Polynucleotides fit that brief well.
They are not suitable if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. They are also not suitable if you have a fish allergy, an active skin infection in the area, or an autoimmune condition that is flaring. I’ll go through your medical history with you at your consultation.
Where can polynucleotides be used?
Polynucleotides are versatile and can be used on several areas of the face and body. Whether you want to smooth fine lines, boost hydration or improve overall texture, I tailor the treatment to the area and to your skin. My clients travel from Camden, Farringdon, Islington and across London.
Face
Polynucleotides for the face can soften fine lines and wrinkles, firm skin that has started to sag, and leave your skin smoother and more glowy.
Under-eyes
Polynucleotides for the under-eyes help with dark circles, fine lines, crepey skin and the tired look that can make you seem older and more worn out than you feel. More on under-eyes below.
Neck, chest and décolletage
Polynucleotides help repair sun damage, smooth lines and improve skin texture, so these areas look more even and rejuvenated. More on the neck below.
Hands and body
Polynucleotides help restore skin elasticity, smooth crepey skin and even out skin tone, for a firmer look on the backs of the hands and on the body.
What are the benefits of polynucleotides?
- Firmer skin. By promoting collagen and elastin production, polynucleotides help tighten and firm skin that has started to sag, and improve its elasticity.
- Softer fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the eyes, mouth and forehead.
- Better texture and tone. Rough or uneven skin becomes smoother and more even.
- Brighter under-eyes. Dark circles can look less noticeable as the thin skin under the eyes improves. See under-eyes.
- Repair. They help skin recover from sun damage and the everyday wear of time.
- Less puffy-looking under-eyes. As the skin firms, mild puffiness can look smoother.
- Deep hydration. Dry, dehydrated skin looks plumper and fresher.
Polynucleotides for under-eyes
The under-eye area is one of the most delicate parts of the face, and it’s often where we notice signs of ageing first. Dark circles, puffiness, fine lines and a tired appearance can make you look older and more worn out than you feel.
Polynucleotides are well suited to this area. The skin here is very thin, and they improve the skin itself rather than adding anything that could look heavy.
What can polynucleotides do for your under-eyes?
- Soften dark circles. They can help reduce pigmentation and improve the quality of the thin skin under the eyes, so dark circles are less noticeable.
- Smooth lines and wrinkles around the eye. They encourage collagen production, softening fine lines and crepey skin.
- Help with mild puffiness. As the skin firms, mild puffiness can look smoother. Bags caused by fat pads pushing forward won’t shift with injections of any kind, and I’ll tell you honestly if that’s what I see.
- Boost hydration. Dry under-eyes look plumper and more refreshed.
Other treatments for tired eyes
Polynucleotides improve the skin. They don’t fill a hollow. If your under-eyes look shadowed because of lost volume, tear trough filler may suit you better, and some people have both. You can read about it on my dermal filler page.
If puffiness is your main concern, I also offer Derma Eyes 2.0, a treatment for the eye contour with draining and anti-puffiness effects, usually done as 3 to 5 sessions, 2 weeks apart. I’ll tell you at your consultation which will actually help.
Polynucleotides for the neck and neck lines
The neck often gives our age away before the face does. The skin there tends to be thinner, sees plenty of sun and gets far less attention than your face.
Polynucleotides can help with crepey skin and the fine horizontal lines that form around the neck, sometimes called necklace lines. Over a course, the skin can look smoother, firmer and more even. They work well on the chest and décolletage too, where sun damage shows as lines and uneven texture.
What about neck bands?
Many people searching for neck treatments mean the vertical cords that stand out at the front of the neck when you tense or talk. These are platysmal bands. They come from a muscle, not the skin, so polynucleotides won’t soften them. Prominent bands are usually treated with anti-wrinkle injections, which relax that muscle.
I only offer anti-wrinkle treatment after a face-to-face assessment with me. You can read more about anti-wrinkle injections for the jawline and neck. If you have both crepey skin and bands, the two treatments can work together: anti-wrinkle injections for the muscle, polynucleotides for the skin.
Polynucleotides along the jawline
“Jawline slimming” is a common search, so here is what polynucleotides can and can’t do.
Along the jaw and lower face, polynucleotides improve skin quality: firmness, texture and mild laxity. The skin can look tighter and the jawline a little crisper. They don’t change the shape of your jaw, and they won’t slim it.
If your jaw looks square or wide because of a strong jaw muscle, slimming is done with anti-wrinkle injections into that muscle, which can also help with clenching and teeth grinding. As with all anti-wrinkle treatment, it starts with a face-to-face assessment with me. Read more about jaw slimming.
If you’re losing definition to jowls or sagging, Profhilo Structura can help improve support and lower face definition. It is on my skin boosters and Profhilo page. Dermal filler can also define the jaw, and my Lower Face Rejuvenation Package is built for exactly that.
How many sessions will I need?
I recommend a course of 3 sessions, spaced 4 weeks apart, for the best results. The exact number depends on your skin concerns and goals, and very tired or sun-damaged skin sometimes benefits from a fourth. A course improves skin texture, tone and elasticity.
After your course, 1 to 2 maintenance treatments a year will help keep your refreshed look.
What to expect from your polynucleotide treatment
1. Consultation. Before we start, we’ll have a detailed consultation. We’ll talk through your skin concerns, your goals and your medical history to make sure polynucleotides are the right choice for you. I’ll also assess your skin and the areas you’d like to treat.
2. Skin preparation. I cleanse the area to remove any make-up, oil or impurities, then apply numbing cream to keep you comfortable, especially in sensitive areas like under the eyes.
3. Treatment. I inject the polynucleotides into the treatment area with a very fine needle. You may feel a mild pinch with each injection. My clients tolerate it well, and they say it’s worth the little pinch.
4. Afterwards. You may notice some redness, slight swelling or small bumps where I’ve injected, especially under the eyes. Redness usually fades within a day, and bumps and swelling usually settle within a few days.
Polynucleotides at a glance
| Detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Results seen | Often after the first session, building over 3 to 6 months |
| Results last | Up to 9 months with good aftercare |
| Sessions | A course of 3, 4 weeks apart |
| Appointment | 45 minutes |
| Comfort | Numbing cream first; most people feel a small pinch |
| Downtime | Little to none |
| Side effects | Mild redness, swelling, small bumps or bruising, settling within a few days |
| Maintenance | 1 to 2 sessions a year |
How much do polynucleotides cost in London?
One session of polynucleotides costs £300, whether it’s for the under-eyes or the face and body. A course of three costs £660, which saves you £240. As polynucleotides work best as a course, that’s how I recommend doing it.
| Treatment | 1 session | Course of 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Polynucleotides for under-eyes | £300 | £660 (save £240) |
| Polynucleotides for face or body | £300 | £660 (save £240) |
The course is also listed on my packages page, alongside my other courses and Transformation Packages. You pay a deposit online when you book, and the balance on the day. Finance through Klarna and Payl8r is available, with 10% added for Payl8r.
Polynucleotides, Profhilo or microneedling?
They do different jobs. Polynucleotides repair. Profhilo and skin boosters hydrate and restore bounce. Microneedling works on surface texture, pores and scarring. If you’re deciding between the first two, read my comparison of polynucleotides vs Profhilo. My skin treatments guide explains how all three fit together.
Why choose Aesthetics by Hayley for polynucleotides in London?
I work alone, so you see me every time: consultation, treatment and aftercare. Nobody hands you on to someone else, and nothing is rushed. I use premium quality products and keep results subtle, so friends notice you look well, not what you’ve had done. My clients have given me a 5.0 rating across more than 100 Google reviews.
The clinic is at 260 Pentonville Road, N1 9JY, inside Minsony: push the front door and take a seat in reception. It’s a short walk from King’s Cross St Pancras (Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria, Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines, plus Thameslink and national rail), and Angel is walkable too.
Still have questions? Message me on WhatsApp on 07824 367575 or email info@aestheticsbyhayley.co.uk.