Usually called polynucleotide (PN) or polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) treatments, they have become fashionable as so-called regenerative beauty treatments.
They're being promoted for improving skin texture and elasticity, reducing fine lines and helping tired-looking skin, particularly around the eyes.
But does the science support the enthusiasm?
And there's another question: do customers realise which part of the salmon is commonly used to obtain that DNA?
Yes, we're talking about salmon sperm.
Calling the treatment "salmon DNA" makes it sound rather clinical. "Salmon sperm facial" sounds considerably less glamorous.
Scientific reviews describe polynucleotides used in aesthetic medicine as being derived from highly purified DNA from salmon or trout gonads.
More specifically, PDRN can be produced from DNA obtained from salmon sperm. It's important to stress that practitioners aren't simply injecting raw salmon sperm into someone's face. The DNA is extracted, purified and processed into fragments used in the treatment.
Nevertheless, we suspect there will be two very different reactions to discovering the origin: "How fascinating!" and "They're injecting WHAT into my face?
Incidentally some companies use salmon DNA in non-injectionalable preparations, for applying to the face.
For vegetarians and vegans, the animal origin is obviously an important consideration too.
But does salmon DNA actually work?
This is where things become more interesting, because there is genuine scientific research behind polynucleotides, but the evidence isn't yet strong enough to justify every extravagant claim made for them.
A systematic review examining nine studies involving 219 patients found promising improvements in wrinkles, skin texture and elasticity. Side effects were generally mild and temporary, and patient satisfaction ranged from moderate to high. However, the researchers stressed that the available studies were of low or moderate quality and called for better research.
More recent evidence remains encouraging but cautious. A 2026 systematic review of seven randomised trials involving 183 participants found benefits across skin rejuvenation, scar treatment and wound healing, with particularly consistent results for wound healing. However, researchers again highlighted small studies, differing treatment methods and the need for larger trials.
A 2026 study involving 42 people receiving polynucleotide injections around the eyes also reported improvements and high satisfaction, particularly three months after two treatments. But this was an observational study without the strength of a large controlled clinical trial.
Miracle treatment or promising newcomer?
At That's Health, we'd put salmon DNA treatments firmly in the promising but not yet proven beyond doubt category.
There's enough research to suggest polynucleotides aren't simply another nonsensical internet beauty fad. There are plausible biological mechanisms and encouraging clinical results.
But "promising" and "clinically proven miracle treatment" are two very different things.
And before paying for injections, we'd want to know exactly what product was being used, who was administering it, their medical qualifications, the possible adverse effects, and whether the clinic had made it absolutely clear that the glamorous-sounding "salmon DNA" may have begun its journey in the reproductive organs of a fish.
Which brings us to our question for That's Health readers:
Would knowing that the treatment is derived from salmon sperm put you off, or, if there were convincing evidence that it worked, wouldn't you care where it came from?
One particularly interesting point is that the 2026 evidence is stronger for tissue and wound healing than it is for cosmetic rejuvenation, so the science is rather more nuanced than some of the beauty-industry publicity suggests.
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