Polynucleotides
Polynucleotide treatment in Marylebone and St John’s Wood, London, with Dr Toro Ogundoyin: a regenerative injectable for thin, tired under-eye skin, for overall skin quality and for the scalp, given as a course of three.
The short answer
What are polynucleotides?
Polynucleotides are long chains of nucleotides, the building blocks of DNA and RNA, purified and prepared for injection. They do not fill, plump or freeze anything. What they do is signal: they encourage the skin’s own repair and regeneration, support fibroblast activity and calm the low-grade inflammation that sits behind a lot of tired-looking skin.
That makes them the right tool in places where filler is the wrong one. The under-eye is the clearest example: skin there is thin, often pigmented, and adding volume to it frequently makes things worse rather than better. Polynucleotides improve the quality and thickness of that skin instead, and help even out the pigment by encouraging healthier cell turnover.
They are a course treatment, usually three sessions, and they work slowly. This is not a treatment you judge on the day.
Polynucleotides at a glance
- Treatment timeAround 30 minutes
- Course3 sessions, 2 to 4 weeks apart
- Results buildOver 2 to 3 months
- MaintenanceEvery 6 to 9 months
- DowntimeSmall bumps for a few hours
- Often paired withUnder-eye treatment
- From£240 per treatment
Polynucleotides can help to:
Thicken and brighten thin under-eye skin
The commonest reason Dr Toro uses them. Where the under-eye is dark because the skin is thin and pigmented rather than hollow, this treats the actual cause.
Calm skin that is persistently red or reactive
The anti-inflammatory effect is part of the mechanism, which is why they suit sensitive skin that reacts badly to more aggressive treatments.
Improve elasticity and firmness gradually
Supporting fibroblast activity means better collagen and elastin over the following months. Slow, but it is the skin doing it rather than a product sitting in it.
Even out pigmentation
By encouraging healthy skin cell growth and reducing inflammation, which is one of the drivers of pigment, particularly post-inflammatory marks.
Support a thinning scalp
Used alongside hair treatments to improve the environment the follicle is trying to grow in, rather than as a hair treatment on its own.
Prepare skin for other treatments
Better quality skin holds filler and threads better. Where skin is the limiting factor, Dr Toro will often treat it before anything structural.
What polynucleotides are used for
Follow any of these to read what causes it and how Dr Toro treats it.
Areas treated
Face
Scalp
Polynucleotide treatment near you, at either London clinic
- UNTIL Marylebone 1 Orchard Street, London W1H 6HJ View location →
- Kailash Centre, St John’s Wood 7 Newcourt Street, London NW8 7AA View location →
Boundaries of practice
What's not treated
Good practice means saying no when indicated:
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Under 18 years of age
- Known fish or salmon allergy
- Active skin infection, inflammation or cold sore outbreak at the treatment site
- Autoimmune conditions or immunosuppressive treatment, assessed individually
- Active cancer treatment, assessed individually with your treating team
Patient journey
What to expect from polynucleotide treatment
Consultation & preparation
Avoid alcohol for 24 hours and aspirin, fish oil or vitamin E for a week beforehand if you bruise easily. Come with clean skin and no makeup on the treatment area. Tell Dr Toro if you have a fish allergy, since the product is derived from salmon DNA.
During treatment
Aftercare
Leave the area alone for at least 6 hours and keep makeup off for 24 hours. Avoid heavy exercise for 24 hours and facials, peels, saunas and swimming for two weeks. Small raised bumps settle within a few hours. Allow at least three months before judging the result.
Polynucleotide prices in Marylebone and St John’s Wood
Polynucleotides work as a course rather than as a single session, so the consultation prices the course rather than the appointment. Packages are available and are discussed before anything is booked.
Written and medically reviewed by Dr Toro Ogundoyin, Aesthetic Doctor: MBBS, DIP. FSRH · General Medical Council: a regenerative injectable treatment planned and carried out by a GMC-registered doctor in a CQC-registered clinic.
FAQ
Polynucleotide questions
What is the difference between polynucleotides and Profhilo?
Profhilo is hyaluronic acid that hydrates and firms by spreading through the skin. Polynucleotides are purified DNA fragments that signal the skin to repair itself, with an anti-inflammatory effect as well. Dr Toro uses polynucleotides where skin is thin, pigmented or reactive, and Profhilo where it is mainly dry and lax.
How long do polynucleotides last?
The effect builds over two to three months after a course of three sessions and typically holds for six to nine months before a maintenance treatment. Because it works by improving the skin rather than by sitting in it, the result fades gradually rather than disappearing.
Are polynucleotides safe if I have allergies?
The product is derived from salmon DNA, so tell Dr Toro if you have a fish allergy. It is purified to remove proteins and reactions are rare, but this is assessed at consultation rather than assumed. As with any injectable, it is not used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Will polynucleotides get rid of my dark circles?
They help where the darkness comes from thin skin or pigmentation, by thickening the skin and encouraging healthier cell turnover. They will not change a shadow cast by a hollow, which needs volume. Most under-eyes are a mix, which is why Dr Toro assesses which part is which first.
How strong is the evidence for polynucleotides?
It is a newer treatment than hyaluronic acid and the published evidence base is smaller, which Dr Toro will tell you plainly. The mechanism is well understood and clinical use is growing. She will say which parts are well established and which are still emerging rather than presenting it all as proven.
Related Treatments
Get Started
Book your consultation
with Dr Toro
Dr. Toro Aesthetics • 1 Orchard Street, UNTIL Marylebone, London W1H 6HJ • Kailash Centre, 7 Newcourt Street, London NW8 7AA
BookConsultations are £90 and include a written treatment and skincare plan.