Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Agha, General Practitioner, Diva Clinic Dubai
Last reviewed: October 2026

Quick Facts

Treatment type: Injectable regenerative skin treatment
Active ingredient: Purified DNA fragments from salmon or trout, known as PDRN or polynucleotides (PN)
Session length: 30 to 45 minutes, including numbing
Typical course: 2 to 3 sessions, spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart
Downtime: Small bumps and redness for 1 to 3 days
Results: Gradual, over several weeks
Not suitable for: People with a fish allergy, and during pregnancy or breastfeeding

What Is Salmon DNA Treatment?

Salmon DNA treatment is an injectable skin procedure. Your doctor places purified DNA fragments into the dermis, the deeper layer of your skin. These fragments come from the reproductive cells of salmon and trout.

The medical names are PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) and PN (polynucleotides). Both belong to the same family of DNA-derived ingredients. The goal is skin repair and better skin quality. The treatment does not add volume or change the shape of your face.

Doctors first used PDRN in wound care and tissue healing. Aesthetic medicine adopted the ingredient later for skin texture, hydration and recovery.

Why Is Salmon DNA Used?

Manufacturers extract the DNA from salmonid fish, mainly chum salmon and rainbow trout. The raw material goes through a purification process. This process removes proteins and other material, leaving a high-purity DNA fraction.

DNA shares the same four building blocks across all living species. Your skin cells recognise these building blocks and put them to use during repair. This explains why purified salmon DNA is well tolerated by most people.

How Does Salmon DNA Work in the Skin?

Research points to four main actions:

Repair signalling: As PDRN breaks down, the fragments release adenosine. Adenosine activates the A2A receptor on skin cells. This signal calms inflammation and supports new blood vessel growth.
Nucleotide recycling: Cells reuse the nucleotides to build new DNA. Scientists call this the salvage pathway. Cells save energy and repair faster.
Fibroblast support: Fibroblasts are the cells producing collagen and elastin. Studies link PDRN and PN to higher fibroblast activity.
Hydrating scaffold: Long PN chains form a gel network in the dermis. This network holds water and supports the tissue during repair.

What Is the Difference Between PDRN and Polynucleotides?

PDRN and PN come from the same source. The main difference is the length of the DNA chains. Researchers use a molecular weight cutoff of 1,500 kDa to separate the two.

Feature	PDRN	Polynucleotides (PN)
Chain length	Shorter	Longer
Molecular weight	Under 1,500 kDa	1,500 kDa and above
Texture	Thin, fluid	Thicker, gel-like
Main action	Repair signalling and calming inflammation	Hydrating scaffold and fibroblast support
Common focus	Skin recovery, texture, redness	Elasticity, crepey skin, hydration

Many products and studies use the two terms interchangeably. The formula of the specific product tells you more than the label. Your doctor chooses the formula based on your skin and your goals. Read the full comparison in PDRN vs Polynucleotides.

What Skin Concerns Does Salmon DNA Treat?

Doctors use salmon DNA treatments for skin quality concerns such as:

Fine lines and crepey skin texture
Dull, dehydrated skin
Thin skin under the eyes
Enlarged pores and uneven texture
Acne scars, as part of a combined plan
Skin recovery after laser or microneedling
Neck and chest skin quality
Scalp and hair thinning, an emerging use with limited evidence so far

Do Salmon DNA Serums Work Without Injections?

Salmon DNA serums, creams and masks are popular in skincare. DNA fragments are large molecules. Most pass through the outer skin barrier poorly.

Injections: Place the product directly in the dermis. Most human studies on elasticity and skin thickness use this method.
Microneedling with PDRN: Creates tiny channels for the product to enter. This sits between injections and topical use.
Topical products: Work mainly on the skin surface as hydrating and soothing ingredients.

Read more in Salmon DNA Serums vs Injections.

How Does Salmon DNA Compare to Other Injectables?

Feature	Salmon DNA (PDRN/PN)	Hyaluronic Acid Skin Hydration Injectables	Collagen Stimulators	Dermal Fillers
Main goal	Skin repair and quality	Hydration	Gradual collagen growth	Volume and shape
Adds volume	No	No	Gradual, mild	Yes
Source	Purified fish DNA	Lab-made hyaluronic acid	Synthetic polymers	Lab-made hyaluronic acid
Onset	Gradual, over weeks	Within days to weeks	Gradual, over months	Immediate
Fish allergy concern	Yes	No	No	No

Doctors often combine salmon DNA with other treatments. One common plan pairs skin repair with volume correction using fillers or face contouring. For a closer look, read Salmon DNA vs Hyaluronic Acid Skin Injectables.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

Good candidates include adults with:

Early signs of skin ageing, such as fine lines and loss of firmness
Dull, tired or dehydrated skin
Thin or crepey skin under the eyes
Skin needing support after laser or other resurfacing treatments
A preference for gradual, natural-looking change without added volume

Avoid treatment or speak with your doctor first if you:

Have an allergy to fish or seafood
Are pregnant, breastfeeding or undergoing fertility treatment
Have an active skin infection, cold sore or inflammation in the treatment area
Have an autoimmune condition in a flare-up
Take blood-thinning medication
Follow a vegan lifestyle, since the product is animal-derived

Read the full safety guide in Is Salmon DNA Treatment Safe?

What Happens During a Salmon DNA Treatment?

Consultation: Your doctor reviews your skin, medical history and allergies, including any fish allergy.
Cleansing and numbing: The area is cleansed and a numbing cream goes on for 20 to 30 minutes.
Injection: Your doctor places small amounts of product across the treatment area with a fine needle or cannula.
Gentle massage: The product is spread evenly across the skin.
Final check: Your doctor reviews the area and gives you aftercare instructions.

Small raised bumps appear at each injection point. These settle as the skin absorbs the product, usually within 24 to 48 hours.

What Is the Aftercare?

Avoid makeup for 12 to 24 hours
Skip saunas, steam rooms and intense exercise for 24 to 48 hours
Do not rub or massage the treated area unless your doctor tells you to
Pause retinol and exfoliating acids for 2 to 3 days
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day
Keep your skin hydrated with a gentle moisturiser

See the day-by-day plan in the Salmon DNA Aftercare Guide.

When Will You See Results?

Salmon DNA works through your skin’s own repair process. Change is gradual. Many people notice better hydration within the first 2 weeks. Texture and firmness change over the full course of sessions.

Your doctor plans maintenance sessions based on your skin and your goals. Results differ from person to person.

What Are the Side Effects?

Common side effects are mild and short-lived:

Small bumps at injection points for 1 to 2 days
Redness, tenderness or mild swelling
Small bruises
Mild itching

Rare risks include allergic reaction, infection, persistent lumps and vascular complications. A thorough medical history and a trained medical injector lower these risks. Contact your clinic straight away if you notice hives, spreading redness, heat, severe pain or skin colour change.

Salmon DNA Treatment Cost in Dubai: What Affects the Price?

The product and formula used, PDRN or PN
The size and number of treatment areas
The number of sessions in your course
Whether your plan combines salmon DNA with other treatments

A consultation gives you an accurate quote based on your skin and your plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is salmon DNA treatment safe?

Purified salmon DNA has a long history of medical use in wound healing. Side effects are usually mild and short-lived. Safety depends on a full medical history, a genuine product and a trained medical injector.

Does salmon DNA treatment hurt?

Most people feel mild stinging during the injections. Numbing cream keeps the treatment comfortable.

How many sessions do you need?

A typical course is 2 to 3 sessions, spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart. Your doctor adjusts the plan to your skin.

Is salmon DNA treatment vegan?

No. The DNA comes from fish, so the product is animal-derived. Ask your doctor about non-animal options such as hyaluronic acid injectables.

Is salmon DNA treatment halal?

Fish is widely regarded as halal. Product formulas and certifications differ between manufacturers. Ask your doctor about the specific product during your consultation.

Is salmon DNA the same as a filler?

No. Fillers add volume and shape. Salmon DNA supports skin repair and quality without adding volume. Many treatment plans use both.

Can you combine salmon DNA with other treatments?

Yes. Doctors often pair salmon DNA with laser, microneedling, fillers or muscle-relaxing injections. Your doctor sets the order and spacing of each treatment.

Who should not have salmon DNA treatment?

People with a fish allergy, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and anyone with an active infection in the treatment area.

More Salmon DNA Guides

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This article is for general educational purposes and does not replace a personalised consultation with a licensed medical aesthetics provider. Individual results vary.

Salmon DNA Skin Treatment: The Complete Guide to PDRN and Polynucleotides