Tiffany Parradine, and Meghan Adams, at Nuovo Clinic Academy, delve into the world of polynucleotides and their application in aesthetics.
What are Polynucleotides?
Polynucleotides are long chains of nucleotides, composed of sugar, phosphate, and a nitrogenous base. They form the building blocks of DNA and RNA. In biomedicine, they’ve been used in gene therapy, DNA sequencing, joint restoration, scar revision, and experimental treatments for cancer and inflammatory conditions.
Applications in Aesthetics
Polynucleotides have recently gained popularity in aesthetics for their ability to stimulate dermal fibroblasts, adipocytes, and osteoblasts. They enhance skin hydration, possess antioxidant properties, and improve collagen and elastin production, leading to better skin texture and elasticity.
Polynucleotides Derived from Fish DNA
Most polynucleotides used in aesthetics are derived from fish DNA. This origin is crucial to note for patients with fish allergies and those with dietary preferences such as vegetarians and vegans. Some Polynucleotides are still safe to use with some allergies, please refer to product warnings.
Polynucleotides vs. HA Fillers
While hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers, derived from bacterial fermentation, add volume and hydration to tissues, polynucleotides are made with Fish DNA/RNA and rejuvenate tissue by stimulating cellular activity.
Injection Techniques
Polynucleotides are typically injected into the deep dermis using mesotherapy or BAP technique. Most products come in pre-filled syringes without local anaesthetic.
Patient Selection
Polynucleotide treatment is ideal for older patients with moderate tissue laxity or younger individuals showing early signs of ageing. They are especially effective in areas with thin, lax skin, such as the tear trough.
Polynucleotide Trend
Tiffany comments, “Polynucleotide treatment has been extremely popular within our clinic. In our experience, it has been most popular with clients over the age of 35, which I believe is due to its restorative functions, and also because of treatment cost.”
Meghan adds, “My clients have experienced fantastic success with their polynucleotide treatment. It is important to emphasise that the full effects of the treatment course (I recommend three in most instances, subject to patient/client requirements) are seen months after treatment, in comparison to days and weeks like other forms of skin boosters. The most common areas I treat are the face and neck; however, it is becoming more popular with female patients to have the treatment on their hands too.”
Managing Expectations
It’s important to manage patient expectations, as polynucleotide treatments require time to show results. Clinical changes occur over months as fibroblasts activate and produce collagen and elastin.
Treatment Costs and Maintenance
Polynucleotide treatments often involve multiple sessions spaced weeks apart, followed by regular maintenance doses. Patients should be informed about the commitment and cost involved in maintaining results.
Downtime and Side Effects
Post-treatment, patients may experience redness and swelling. Practitioners might need to use local anaesthetic to ensure patient comfort, as most polynucleotide products do not contain anaesthetic.
Comparing Longevity
Results from polynucleotides generally last 6 to 12 months, while HA filler longevity varies between 3 to 24 months depending on the product and treated area.
Enhancing Practitioner Knowledge
To effectively advise and treat patients, aesthetics practitioners need comprehensive knowledge and practical experience. If you are looking to add Polynucleotide to your treatment offering, contact Nuovo Clinic Academy to find out more about our Polynucleotide training course.
Tiffany Parradine – Director & Owner – Nuovo Clinic Academy
Meghan Adams – Lead Aesthetics Practitioner, Trainer and Nurse Prescriber – Nuovo Clinic Academy