revitalise & regenerate
Polynucleotides
Also called: Plinest, PN injections, under-eye polynucleotides.
Polynucleotides at Dr Munroe Clinic are an injectable treatment that aims to support the skin's natural repair processes. Plinest, made by Mastelli from purified salmon DNA, is used. You may know this as the 'salmon sperm facial'. Treatment may suit thin, crepey or damaged skin, the under-eye area, scarring, and the hands, neck and décolletage. It does not add volume, and is usually given as a course of three treatments, three to four weeks apart, with maintenance every six to twelve months.
what it treats.
Polynucleotides are purified fragments of DNA. Injected into the skin, they appear to signal to the fibroblasts, the cells that produce collagen and elastin, and to reduce inflammation in the tissue. Skin that has been damaged by sun or time, scarred, or is naturally very thin, as under the eyes, tends to respond best.
Plinest is the formulation used for the face. Plinest Eye is used for the under-eye area, a stronger version is used for the body and for scarring, and Newest, from the same manufacturer, combines polynucleotides with hyaluronic acid for skin that also needs hydration.
why Plinest.
Plinest, Plinest Eye and Newest are made by Mastelli in Italy using Highly Purified Technology (HPT), which extracts and purifies polynucleotide fragments from salmon. The salmon are sustainably sourced, the supply chain is traceable, and the products are supported by a substantial body of published evidence. They are available only to healthcare professionals, which is one reason they are used here.
[ ] Dr Munroe to confirm the sourcing details before publication.
what it doesn't treat.
Polynucleotides improve the quality of the skin rather than its volume, so they will not fill a hollow or relax expression lines. Under the eyes, they improve the skin over a hollow, and filler or volume support may be considered alongside where needed.
the assessment.
Under the eyes, the skin is at its thinnest and the tissue holds fluid easily, so polynucleotides are placed in small amounts, and a cannula may be used where bruising is more likely. The assessment also considers whether the concern is the skin itself: shadow from a hollow may need volume support, puffiness is often a surgical question, and pigment needs a different approach altogether.
what happens on the day.
Following consultation, the risks and side effects are explained, consent is taken and photographs are taken for the clinical record. Numbing cream is applied, and small injections, a cannula, or a combination of the two may be used, depending on the area. Please mention any fish allergy at consultation; it is not necessarily a reason not to treat, but it needs to be discussed.
recovery.
Small bumps at the injection points usually settle within a few hours. Under the eyes, mild swelling or bruising for 12 to 24 hours is more likely, and using a cannula can reduce this. Some people bruise and others do not, and this cannot be predicted in advance.
Avoid make-up on the area for the rest of the day, and strenuous exercise, saunas and heat for 24 hours. There is minimal downtime and most people return straight to their day.
results.
Although some people notice a quicker improvement, most notice a change from two to three weeks, and improvement continues across the course and for some weeks afterwards. Maintenance is usually a single treatment every six to twelve months, and response varies with skin thickness, sun exposure and smoking.
who it isn't for.
Treatment is not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or where there is active skin infection at the site. Fish allergy is discussed individually before treatment.
price.
Prices are available on the price list.
common questions.
Is this the "salmon sperm facial"?
This is the treatment that name refers to. The product contains purified DNA fragments derived from salmon, and it is not a name used at the clinic.
Polynucleotides or filler for the under-eyes?
This depends on the cause of the shadow. Thin, crepey skin may suit polynucleotides, and a true hollow may need volume support, sometimes after polynucleotides have improved the skin. The assessment decides which is more appropriate.
How many treatments are needed?
A course of three treatments, three to four weeks apart, is usual to begin with, followed by maintenance every six to twelve months.
Clinically reviewed by Dr Tiffany Munroe, MBBS MRCS, GMC 7293952.
Last reviewed October 3, 2026. Next review October 3, 2027.
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