As we speed through 2025, it's clear that the age of preventative and regenerative aesthetics is gaining momentum. Increasingly, patients are seeking ways to achieve and maintain a youthful yet natural appearance from the inside out. As clinicians, it's vital to stay ahead of these trends while always prioritising patient safety.
One treatment gaining significant traction is polynucleotides, also known as PDRN. This innovative injectable promotes skin repair and rejuvenation at the cellular level, helping to reduce visible signs of ageing while stimulating collagen and elastin production.
Though relatively new in aesthetic circles, PDRN has a long-standing medical history. It has been used by doctors for years as a tissue repair stimulant to support the recovery of skin graft patients. Derived from DNA fragments extracted from fish (which closely resemble human DNA), polynucleotides, when injected, work to boost collagen production—smoothing and firming the complexion.
Both treatment approaches are rooted in the same patient desire: to look natural, healthy, and to harness the body’s own healing abilities.
Regenerative aesthetics focuses on addressing the root causes of ageing, stimulating repair processes to restore youthful skin.
Preventative aesthetics takes a proactive approach, helping to maintain youthful skin and address early signs of ageing before they become visible.
Interest in PDRN is rising, reflecting a growing patient demand for regenerative and preventative solutions. With its collagen- and elastin-boosting properties, PDRN supports deep skin repair and offers several benefits, including:
- Reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Minimising pores
- Improving skin elasticity and hydration
- Reducing acne scarring
- Diminishing the appearance of stretch marks
- Revitalising sunken skin with lost collagen
- Improving hyperpigmentation
Every treatment has its place, and as clinicians, it's our role to match each patient with the procedure best suited to their goals.
The power of polynucleotides lies in their ability to rejuvenate the skin from within, delivering impressive anti-ageing effects. Patients are also drawn to the fact that this is a naturally derived compound that works at the source—an increasingly important factor in aesthetic medicine.
PDRN is effective for rejuvenating mature skin and equally suitable as a preventative treatment for younger patients, with growing popularity among those in their 20s and 30s.
For patients seeking long-lasting, natural results, polynucleotides may be the ideal option. In some cases, combining PDRN with other treatments may help to maximise outcomes.
Polynucleotides are generally considered low-risk compared to other injectables. However, the safety of any procedure depends heavily on the practitioner's experience, technique, and adherence to safety protocols.
Downtime and side effects are typically minimal, making PDRN an attractive option for many. That said, unlike dermal fillers, PDRN is not reversible—it cannot be dissolved—so precise application is key.
The demand for regenerative and preventative treatments continues to grow. In its 2024 annual survey, Hamilton Fraser reported that 64.1% of practitioners are interested in this area, describing it as an ‘emerging trend’ among patients.
While dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections still dominate in popularity, the rise in demand for natural-looking, biologically based treatments suggests that offering polynucleotides could position your clinic at the forefront of aesthetic innovation.
PDRN can also complement other procedures, allowing you to take a more personalised and holistic approach to your treatment plans.
Article by Dr. Rupert Critchley BM MRCGP
Dr. Rupert Critchley BM MRCGP qualified as a medical doctor in 2009 and is a fully qualified and practicing General Practitioner. Since beginning his medical career, he quickly developed a passion and keen eye for aesthetics which led him to establish his own industry leading practice, VIVA Skin Clinics. Specialising in dermal filler treatments, Dr. Rupert has performed thousands of procedures over the years, taking a holistic, safe and standardized approach which follows the MD codes and ensures effective yet natural looking results that tweak and fine tune features.
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