Polynucleotides explained

Polynucleotides come up a lot in consultations at the moment, usually with some version of “I’ve heard they’re good for skin quality, but what actually are they?” Here’s the honest, unhyped answer.

What they actually are

Polynucleotides are naturally derived molecules, delivered by injection into the skin, that are thought to support the skin’s own repair processes. The aim is skin quality — texture, hydration, resilience — rather than adding volume or changing facial shape the way filler does.

What they’re used for

Patients typically come to us about polynucleotides for concerns like dullness, fine texture changes, or delicate areas like under the eyes where volume isn’t necessarily what’s needed. It’s a skin-quality treatment, not a replacement for anti-wrinkle treatment or filler — the three do different jobs, and sometimes a treatment plan involves more than one.

Are they the same as filler?

No. Filler adds volume and shape. Polynucleotides are aimed at skin quality and condition rather than structure. Depending on what you’re looking to address, one, the other, or a combination might be the right fit — that’s exactly what a consultation is for.

What a course typically looks like

Polynucleotide treatment is usually done as a course of sessions spaced a few weeks apart, rather than a single visit, since it’s working with the skin’s own repair process over time. Exact spacing and number of sessions vary by patient and are something we’d talk through at consultation rather than promise upfront.

Who it might not suit

As with any injectable treatment, it’s not right for everyone — certain allergies, pregnancy, and some skin conditions are reasons we’d need to discuss further or hold off. A proper consultation, including your medical history, comes before any treatment plan is agreed.

How Lumina approaches it

We don’t recommend polynucleotides as a default add-on. If your skin concern would genuinely benefit, we’ll say so — and if it wouldn’t, we’ll say that too. Same restraint-first approach as everything else here.

If you’re curious whether polynucleotides are actually the right fit for what you’re seeing in the mirror, that’s a conversation worth having before booking anything. Full detail is on our polynucleotides page.