Polynucleotides fall into a category known as regenerative medicine. Aesthetic trends are quickly moving away from using large volumes of hyaluronic acid to fill the face towards a more natural appearance. There is definitely still reason to have hyaluronic acid, however there is a shift in focus towards treatments that stimulate processes in our skin, so that the skin is able to regenerate and heal itself.
The human body has a natural ability to heal itself in many ways. When we break a bone, the body will heal itself over weeks, even if we don’t intervene. Regenerative medicine involves more than just the management of diseases and injuries and involves the discovery of therapies that support the body in restoring itself to a state of wellbeing.
So if the body is able to heal itself, why do we need to consider having treatments that encourage the body to do what it is already capable of doing?
As we age, the body loses the ability to heal itself effectively and in a timely manner. The cells that are important in the healing process are called fibroblasts and the number of fibroblasts decreases as we age. The rate at which the fibroblasts are able to produce collagen, elastin and other important proteins involved in healing, also slows down as we age. This means we have less fibroblasts and they are working slower. Using polynucleotides therefore helps the processes that already exist in our body (but may not be as active or in full power) to function optimally. PN have also been shown to increase the number of fibroblasts in the skin.
PN are made up of natural DNA fragments and are extracted from fish DNA.
Mastelli is an Italian company producing PN and use a patented technology known as HPT (high purification technology). They have been established in PN for over 50 years. Dermafocus distribute this brand in the UK and their range is called PLINEST. I use this particular brand in my clinic due to their stringent purification process, extensive knowledge in this field and high safety profiles.
Polynucleotides with High Purification Technology (patented technology form Mastelli) are natural-origin products derived from trout intended for human consumption. The fragments of DNA are obtained through a technology featuring a high degree of purification, sterilisation and safety. The end result is a syringe filled with pure polynucleotides which reduces the risk of allergic reactions. This means we are able to inject pure PN directly into your skin and tailor the injections around your areas of concern.
PN are polymers of deoxyribonucleotides (DNA fractions) with a fundamental role in:
The effects you can expect to see on the skin are:
The simple answer is anyone can have polynucleotide treatments. I recommend starting with these treatments from around the age of 30/35 depending on your skin quality and lifestyle. The treatments can be used preventatively to maintain good skin quality and tone or they can be used to treat skin that has been damaged by UV rays, inflammation and other skin stressors. Polynucleotides can be used in isolation or they can be combined with other treatments for maximum results in the skin. Priming the skin with polynucleotides before other treatments is a great way to ensure you get the best results from your treatment and the treatments tend to last longer.
There is no treatment that is completely risk free, however as far as complications go, polynucleotides rank very low. Depending on technique and product used, you can expect to have some swelling and small lumps that tend to settle over 24 hours. Bruising can happen however there are techniques we can use to minimise this risk. The treatment involves a brief, stinging type of pain as the product is injected however we are able to numb the area beforehand which makes the procedure very bearable. Due to the stringent sterilisation and purification process from Mastelli, the risk of an allergic reaction is extremely low.
A course of 3 treatments is needed and should be spaced 3-4 weeks apart. Results are not seen immediately, you can expect to see change 6-8 weeks after your first treatment. A single maintenance treatment every 3-6 months thereafter is ideal. Anywhere you find skin, PN can be injected however the common areas injected include face, neck, décolletage, hands and the under-eye region.
At Damalis Skin Clinic London, a bespoke treatment plan will be formulated during your consultation ensuring treatment is suited for skin concerns and skin type.
Our aesthetic clinic in London is led by Dr Stephanie Damalis, an aesthetic doctor with 12 years of experience. She offers leading cosmetic treatments including anti-wrinkle treatments, skin procedures and dermal fillers.
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