What Is PDRN? Understanding Rejuran and Salmon DNA Skin Treatments

PDRN has become one of the most talked-about ingredients in Korean skincare and regenerative aesthetics. It can now be found in everything from serums and sheet masks to injectable skin treatments, often accompanied by attention-grabbing descriptions such as “salmon DNA facial”.

But what is PDRN, and is it actually the ingredient used in Rejuran?

PDRN stands for polydeoxyribonucleotide, a collection of purified DNA fragments commonly obtained from salmonid fish. Rejuran is closely related, but it is more accurately described as an injectable polynucleotide treatment. Both sit within the broader category of DNA-derived materials being studied and used to support tissue repair and skin quality.

Understanding the terminology matters because a PDRN serum, a polynucleotide injection and a professional Rejuran treatment are not interchangeable products.

What Is PDRN?

PDRN is short for polydeoxyribonucleotide. It consists of purified fragments made from deoxyribonucleotides, which are the smaller building blocks found in DNA.

PDRN was investigated in medical settings before it became a trending skincare ingredient. Research has explored its potential role in tissue repair, wound healing and inflammatory processes. Its proposed biological activity is often linked to adenosine A2A receptor signalling and the nucleotide salvage pathway, through which cells can reuse nucleotide components during repair.

In skincare and aesthetic marketing, PDRN is now used as a broad label for products designed to support regeneration, hydration and collagen-related activity. However, the concentration, molecular size, source and delivery method vary considerably between products.

This is why seeing “PDRN” written on a serum does not mean it will work in the same way as a professionally administered injectable treatment.

Are PDRN and Polynucleotides the Same?

PDRN and polynucleotides are related, but they are not technically identical.

A polynucleotide is a chain of nucleotides. In aesthetic treatments, the abbreviation PN generally refers to longer chains with a higher molecular weight. PDRN usually describes a mixture of smaller DNA fragments with a lower molecular weight range.

The terms are frequently used interchangeably online because both materials are derived from DNA and are used with similar regenerative goals. Even clinics and beauty publications sometimes describe all salmon-derived skin treatments as PDRN.

A more accurate distinction is:

PDRN is a particular mixture of shorter DNA fragments, while PN refers to longer polynucleotide chains. Rejuran is primarily a PN-based injectable treatment.

Official Rejuran information describes the treatment as containing highly purified polynucleotides derived from salmon DNA. Its manufacturing technology is used to produce both PN and PDRN materials, which may explain some of the overlapping terminology.

Why Is Salmon DNA Used?

The phrase “salmon DNA treatment” can make the procedure sound stranger than it is.

The material used in a regulated injectable is not raw salmon tissue. DNA is extracted from a salmonid source and then undergoes manufacturing and purification processes to produce controlled nucleotide fragments.

Salmon-derived material has been used because it provides a practical source of DNA from which highly purified polynucleotides can be produced. Rejuran’s manufacturer states that its polynucleotides are obtained from wild salmon through a patented purification and manufacturing process.

The finished product does not contain living salmon cells, and the treatment is not a form of gene therapy. It cannot rewrite, replace or modify the patient’s genetic code.

“Salmon sperm facial” is therefore an oversimplified social-media nickname. While the original DNA source may come from salmon reproductive cells, the professionally manufactured product contains processed and purified DNA fragments rather than raw biological material.

Anyone with known fish allergies or concerns about animal-derived products should raise this during their consultation so the practitioner can review the product information and individual suitability.

What Is Rejuran?

Rejuran is a South Korean injectable treatment made with purified salmon-derived polynucleotides. Instead of being applied to the surface like a serum, the product is administered through a series of small injections into the skin.

The aim is to improve the condition and quality of the treated skin rather than create significant volume or alter facial proportions.

Official product information describes polynucleotides as supporting an environment in which skin cells and fibroblasts can function. Fibroblasts are the cells involved in producing structural components such as collagen and elastin. Polynucleotides also have water-binding properties that may contribute to hydration within the treated tissue.

At AESTHETICA HQ, Rejuran treatment in Sydney is offered for people seeking gradual improvements in areas such as skin texture, elasticity, fine lines and general skin quality. Treatment recommendations are personalised because the product will not address every type of ageing or skin concern in the same way.

How Does Rejuran Work?

Rejuran does not work by filling a hollow space or immediately stretching the skin smooth.

After the polynucleotides are placed into the skin, they are intended to support hydration, fibroblast activity and the skin’s natural repair environment. Changes therefore develop gradually as biological processes take place.

Scientific reviews of polynucleotide treatments have reported potential improvements in wrinkle depth, elasticity, hydration, texture and overall facial appearance. At the same time, researchers have emphasised that the body of evidence remains relatively limited and that larger, better-standardised studies are needed.

It is more responsible to describe Rejuran as a treatment that may support gradual improvement in skin quality than to claim that it rebuilds or permanently regenerates the skin.

Ageing also continues after treatment. You can read more about changes to collagen, skin, fat and facial structure in our guide to how facial ageing affects the skin.

What Skin Concerns Can Rejuran Address?

Rejuran is generally considered when the main goal is to improve how the skin itself looks and feels.

It may be selected for fine lines, reduced elasticity, dullness, rough texture, visible pores or skin that has become thinner and more fragile in appearance. It is also frequently used around the eyes because this area has delicate skin that may show fine lines and crepiness early.

An under-eye Rejuran treatment is not the same as filling a deep tear trough. It may support the quality of thin under-eye skin, but it cannot necessarily correct hollowness caused by facial anatomy or remove dark circles caused by pigmentation, visible blood vessels or shadowing.

Polynucleotides have also been studied for acne scarring. While they may form part of a broader skin-repair plan, established indented scars often require treatments that directly stimulate or remodel deeper tissue. Our guide to treatment options for acne scars explains why different scar types require different approaches.

Is Rejuran a Dermal Filler?

Rejuran is not a traditional volumising dermal filler.

A volumising treatment is intended to replace or add structural volume in areas such as the cheeks, lips or facial contours. Rejuran is instead placed more superficially to support skin quality and tissue condition.

It should not dramatically enlarge the cheeks, reshape the jaw or create a fuller lip. Any temporary raised areas visible immediately after treatment are generally related to the small injection deposits and local swelling rather than the intended long-term result.

This makes Rejuran relevant for people who are interested in gradual skin improvement but are not seeking a significant change in facial volume.

Rejuran Versus Bioremodelling Treatments

Rejuran and bioremodelling treatments may both be described as non-volumising injectables, but they use different materials.

Rejuran uses salmon-derived polynucleotides. A bioremodelling treatment typically uses a highly concentrated hyaluronic-acid formulation designed to spread through the tissue and support hydration, elasticity and remodelling.

Neither treatment should automatically be considered better. One may be more appropriate depending on whether the priority is hydration, fine skin quality, crepiness, elasticity or another concern.

In some cases, different treatments may be used as part of a staged plan. This should only occur after the practitioner has assessed the skin, medical history and overall treatment goals.

Rejuran Versus Microneedling

Rejuran is delivered through individual injections that place polynucleotides directly into selected areas of the skin.

SkinPen microneedling, by comparison, creates controlled microchannels across a treatment area. These micro-injuries trigger the skin’s wound-healing response and are commonly used for concerns such as texture, fine lines and acne scarring.

Although both approaches may be discussed in relation to collagen and skin repair, their treatment methods are different. Microneedling relies primarily on controlled physical stimulation, while Rejuran delivers a polynucleotide product into the skin.

The appropriate option depends on the concern, its depth, the condition of the skin and the amount of recovery the person can accommodate.

Is PDRN Skincare the Same as Rejuran?

No. A PDRN serum or cream is not a needle-free version of Rejuran.

The outer layer of the skin is designed to act as a protective barrier. PDRN’s molecular size and negative charge can restrict its ability to penetrate intact skin, which is why researchers are investigating specialised delivery and encapsulation methods for topical formulations.

A topical PDRN product may still contain moisturising, calming or barrier-supporting ingredients that make the skin feel better. However, those results cannot automatically be attributed to PDRN, and a cosmetic serum should not be expected to reproduce the effects of material delivered directly into the skin.

The clinical evidence supporting topical PDRN for cosmetic rejuvenation is currently less established than the evidence associated with medical and injectable applications.

This does not mean every PDRN skincare product is ineffective. It means the formula should be judged as a complete skincare product rather than assuming the PDRN name guarantees a particular result.

What Happens During a Rejuran Treatment?

A Rejuran appointment should begin with a consultation. The practitioner will assess the area, discuss the desired outcome and review relevant factors such as allergies, medication, medical history, pregnancy or breastfeeding status, active skin conditions and previous injectable reactions.

If treatment is appropriate, the skin is cleansed and a comfort-management approach may be used. Rejuran is then administered through multiple small injections across the selected area.

Because the product is deposited superficially, small raised bumps can be visible immediately afterwards. Redness, tenderness, swelling or bruising may also occur. These effects are generally temporary, although their severity and duration differ between people. Studies of polynucleotide injections commonly report localised swelling and bruising among the short-term treatment reactions.

Patients should follow the individual aftercare instructions provided by their treating practitioner rather than relying on generic social-media advice.

How Many Rejuran Treatments Are Needed?

Rejuran is normally approached as a course rather than an instant, one-appointment transformation.

Official product information describes three sessions approximately one month apart as a commonly used protocol, but the actual number and spacing should be determined according to the product being used, treatment area, skin condition and response.

Some people may notice changes in texture or radiance within the first several weeks. More gradual improvements may continue to develop after additional sessions.

These timeframes should be considered general guidance rather than a promise. Biological treatments can produce different levels of response in different people, and some individuals may notice only modest changes.

Is Rejuran Approved in Australia?

Rejuran is included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods as an animal-derived, Class III medical device. The primary Rejuran product was entered into the register on 5 July 2023 under ARTG ID 412630.

This means the device has been included in Australia’s regulatory register for its specified use. It does not mean the TGA personally recommends the treatment, guarantees an individual result or confirms that every person is a suitable candidate.

Rejuran should be administered by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional following an individual assessment.

What Are the Limitations of the Evidence?

The growing popularity of PDRN and polynucleotide treatments has moved faster than the highest-quality clinical research.

A systematic review identified only nine eligible aesthetic studies and noted differences in study design, sample sizes, treatment methods and outcome measurements. Another review concluded that high-quality evidence is still limited, even though the existing research suggests potential benefits for several skin-quality concerns.

This does not mean that every reported benefit is false. It means results should be discussed with appropriate uncertainty.

Before proceeding, patients should receive clear information about the expected benefit, limitations, alternatives, cost, recovery and potential risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does PDRN change your DNA?

No. Cosmetic PDRN and polynucleotide products contain purified DNA fragments, but they are not gene-editing treatments. They do not enter the body to rewrite a patient’s genetic code or give the patient salmon DNA.

Is Rejuran made from salmon sperm?

The DNA used to manufacture traditional Rejuran polynucleotides is obtained from salmonid material. It is extensively processed and purified into controlled DNA fragments. The injectable does not contain raw salmon sperm or living fish cells.

Is Rejuran the same as PDRN?

Not exactly. Rejuran is primarily described as a polynucleotide or PN injectable. PDRN is a related mixture of generally shorter DNA fragments. The terms are frequently used together because they share a DNA-derived source and overlapping regenerative applications.

Does Rejuran add volume?

Rejuran is not designed to create the same structural volume as a traditional filler. Its purpose is to support gradual changes in skin quality. Temporary bumps after treatment are related to product placement and swelling rather than the intended final appearance.

Can Rejuran help under-eye circles?

It may help improve the texture, hydration and elasticity of thin under-eye skin. It will not necessarily correct every type of dark circle, particularly when the colour is caused by pigmentation, visible vessels, deep hollows or natural anatomy.

Is topical PDRN as effective as injections?

Topical skincare and injectable treatments use different delivery methods and should not be treated as equivalents. The skin barrier limits the penetration of large, charged PDRN molecules, and stronger clinical evidence is needed for many topical cosmetic claims.

How long do Rejuran results last?

Results and their duration vary according to the person’s skin, treatment course, lifestyle and ongoing ageing. Maintenance may be discussed after the initial result has been reviewed, but it should not be prescribed on a universal schedule.

Rejuran Treatment in Sydney

PDRN may be the term attracting attention online, but the most important questions are what product is being used, how it is delivered and whether it suits your individual skin.

At AESTHETICA HQ in Gregory Hills, Rejuran treatments are planned following a personalised assessment. Our team welcomes clients from Camden, Campbelltown, Narellan, Oran Park, Liverpool and throughout South West Sydney.

Interested in improving skin texture, elasticity or fine lines without adding significant facial volume? Book a personalised consultation with AESTHETICA HQ to discuss whether Rejuran may be appropriate for your skin and treatment goals.

This article provides general educational information and does not replace individual medical advice. All medical and cosmetic procedures carry potential risks, and results vary between individuals.