Polynucleotides
Polynucleotides in Marylebone, London with Helena Casales-Arregui, Registered Nurse: purified fish-DNA fragments injected to improve skin quality around the eyes, face and neck, and to support early-stage hair thinning.
The short answer
What are polynucleotides?
Polynucleotides are short, highly purified fragments of DNA, usually from salmon or trout, suspended in a sterile gel. Injected into the skin in tiny amounts, they hold water, calm inflammation and prompt fibroblasts to make new collagen and elastin. They add no volume, so they suit the delicate skin around the eyes and the crepey texture that filler cannot address. Helena uses them across the under-eye, face and neck, and in the scalp for early hair thinning. Regenerative treatments need patience: allow at least 3 months to judge the result.
Areas treated
Why have polynucleotides with Helena
- Regenerative: stimulates your own collagen and elastin without adding volume
- Well suited to under-eye skin, fine lines and crepey texture on the face and neck
- Also used in the scalp to support early-stage hair thinning
- Skin course of 3 to 6 sessions, 4 to 6 weeks apart, then maintenance around every 9 months
- Combines well with Profhilo, skin boosters and anti-wrinkle injections within one plan
- Carried out by a Registered Nurse with a Level 7 Diploma in Facial Aesthetics, at UNTIL Marylebone
Boundaries of practice
What's not treated
Good practice means saying no when indicated:
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Known allergy to fish or seafood
- Active skin infection or inflammation at the treatment area
- Active scalp conditions such as folliculitis or severe seborrhoeic dermatitis, for hair treatment
- Autoimmune conditions in an active flare (assessed individually)
- Bleeding disorders or anticoagulant medication without clearance from the prescribing clinician
Patient journey
What to expect from a polynucleotide course
Consultation & preparation
Avoid alcohol, aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil and vitamin E for 24 to 48 hours beforehand unless prescribed, to reduce bruising. Come makeup-free; for scalp treatment, wash your hair that morning and skip styling products. Tell Helena about any fish or seafood allergy at consultation.
During treatment
Aftercare
Avoid makeup, pressure and massage on the treated area for 12 hours, and no shampoo for 12 hours after scalp treatment. Skip saunas, steam, intense exercise and alcohol for 24 hours. Small bumps settle within a day. Allow at least 3 months from the start of the course before judging the result.
Polynucleotide prices in Marylebone
Written and medically reviewed by Helena Casales-Arregui, Advanced Aesthetic Nurse: RN, NMC Registered · JCCP (Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners); polynucleotide injectables are CE-marked medical devices.
FAQ
Polynucleotide FAQs
How long until I see results from polynucleotides?
Polynucleotides work gradually. Some people notice better hydration and a brighter under-eye after the second session, but Helena asks you to allow at least 3 months from the start of a course before judging the result, because collagen takes that long to rebuild. For hair, change is slower still and is usually assessed from month 3 onwards.
How many sessions will I need?
For skin, Helena plans 3 to 6 sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart, with the exact number depending on your skin and how it responds. After the course, a maintenance session around every 9 months keeps the benefit going. For hair, the course is 3 to 4 sessions every 4 weeks, with maintenance judged on your progress.
How are polynucleotides different from Profhilo or filler?
Filler adds volume where the face has hollowed. Profhilo spreads hyaluronic acid through the skin to boost hydration and firmness. Polynucleotides work on the skin cells themselves, calming inflammation and prompting new collagen, with no volume added. They suit the under-eye and other delicate areas best, and often sit alongside Profhilo or filler within one plan.
Are there any side effects?
The most common are small bumps at the injection points, which settle within a day, and mild redness, swelling or bruising that clears over a few days. Tenderness is more noticeable on the scalp. Because the product is derived from fish, Helena checks for any fish or seafood allergy at consultation. Serious reactions are rare.
Can polynucleotides help with hair loss?
They can support early-stage thinning, where follicles are shrinking but still present. Injected into the scalp, polynucleotides improve hydration and reduce inflammation around the follicle, and are often combined with microneedling. They are less useful once follicles have been lost. Helena assesses your pattern of thinning at consultation and will be honest about what is realistic.
Get Started
Ready to begin?
Book today.
Novaderma Aesthetics • 1 Orchard Street, UNTIL Marylebone, London W1H 6HJ
BookAppointments typically available within 1–2 weeks