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Regenerative · Limerick
Regenerative skin support for people who want to age well — improving skin quality, hydration and firmness without changing your face.
Polynucleotides are one of the most interesting developments in modern aesthetics — and one of the most misunderstood, mostly because of the name. In plain language: they're purified DNA fragments, delivered as a series of tiny injections, that encourage your skin to do more of what healthy skin does naturally — repair, hydrate and rebuild.
Unlike filler, nothing is being added to change your shape. Unlike anti-wrinkle injections, no muscle is being relaxed. Polynucleotides simply support the skin itself — which is why they've become a favourite at our Limerick clinic for patients whose goal is "I want to look well, not different."
After a consultation with our doctor, treatment involves a series of small injections into the area being treated — typically taking 20–30 minutes. Some small bumps or mild swelling for the first day or so is normal. Polynucleotides work as a course, usually 2–4 sessions spaced a few weeks apart, with improvement building gradually over the following weeks as your skin responds. Maintenance once or twice a year keeps results going.
Lumina's philosophy is that great aesthetic care should leave you looking like yourself — rested, fresh, well. Polynucleotides fit that philosophy perfectly: gradual, regenerative, and focused on skin health rather than transformation. And because we're doctor-led, you'll get an honest view of whether polynucleotides, microneedling, another treatment — or simply good skincare — is the right next step for your skin.
Polynucleotides are purified chains of DNA fragments, most commonly derived from salmon, chosen because their molecular structure is highly compatible with human tissue. Injected into the skin, they do two things: they hold water, and they signal the fibroblasts — the cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin — to become more active.
That is the whole mechanism, and it is worth being precise about it, because polynucleotides are currently surrounded by more marketing than most treatments. They are not a filler. They add no volume and change no shape. They work on the quality of the skin: hydration, elasticity, thickness and how it repairs itself.
They are not competitors so much as different jobs. A plan sometimes uses more than one; more often it uses whichever is genuinely indicated and nothing else.
This is where polynucleotides have earned their reputation. The under-eye area is thin, mobile and unforgiving — filler there can look lumpy, migrate, or cast a shadow that makes things worse. Polynucleotides suit it because they improve skin quality without adding bulk: the crepiness softens, the skin thickens slightly, and the area looks less tired without looking altered.
It is not a fix for under-eye hollowing caused by lost volume, and it will not remove dark circles that come from pigmentation or from the vessels beneath. If that is what you have, we will say so.
Polynucleotides work with your own repair cycle, which takes time. A typical course is three sessions spaced two to four weeks apart. Most people notice hydration and a slight plumpness early; the meaningful change in skin quality appears from around six to eight weeks and continues building for a couple of months after the final session.
A single session is €300, a course of three is €750. One session is a reasonable way to see how your skin responds, but a course is what produces the result the treatment is known for. Maintenance is usually once or twice a year.
Common and expected: small bumps, redness, tenderness and occasional bruising, particularly under the eyes where the skin is thin and vascular. Less common: swelling that lasts a day or two, or a small nodule that settles on its own. Rare: infection, or an allergic reaction — polynucleotides are salmon-derived, so a fish allergy is an absolute reason not to have them.
We will not treat you if you have a fish or salmon allergy, are pregnant or breastfeeding, have an active infection or cold sore in the area, or have certain autoimmune conditions without specialist clearance. We will also decline if your concern is volume loss or sagging, because polynucleotides will not fix either — and being told that honestly is worth more than a course that was never going to work.
Polynucleotides are a newer treatment than anti-wrinkle injections or filler, and the published evidence base is smaller. There is good reason to expect the mechanism to work, and the results we see in clinic support it — but anyone promising you a transformation is going beyond what the science currently supports. We would rather set an accurate expectation and have you pleased than an inflated one and have you disappointed.
Lumina is deliberately small — a boutique, doctor-led clinic in a private, intimate setting. Every treatment is assessed, prescribed and performed by Dr Tafadzwa herself, and appointments are spaced so you have the place to yourself.
Our clinic in Pallaskenry is around 25 minutes from Limerick City, 15 from Adare and 10 from Askeaton. Patients travel for regenerative skin treatments from across Co. Limerick, Clare and North Kerry, We also run a fortnightly clinic at Urban Angels Hair Salon, Moyvane, Co. Kerry (V31 PN47), serving Listowel, Abbeyfeale and Tarbert — a calm, private alternative to a city-centre clinic.
“The goal isn't to look different. It's to look like you've been sleeping well.”The Lumina Approach
Purified DNA fragments, injected in tiny amounts, that encourage your skin's own repair processes. Think of them as a nudge to your skin to behave like younger, healthier skin — rather than something that changes your appearance directly.
No. Filler adds volume and shape. Polynucleotides don't add volume at all — they improve the quality of the skin itself: hydration, elasticity, firmness and brightness.
The under-eye area is one of the most popular, along with the face, neck and hands. Anywhere the concern is skin quality rather than volume.
Usually a course of 2–4 sessions a few weeks apart, then maintenance once or twice a year. Results build gradually — which is exactly why they look natural.
Book a consultation and we'll assess your skin honestly. If a different treatment — or none — would serve you better, that's what we'll recommend.
A single session at Lumina Aesthetics is €300, and a course of three is €750. A course is usually what produces the result the treatment is known for. Full pricing is published on our pricing page.
Typically three, spaced two to four weeks apart. Hydration and a slight plumpness show early; the meaningful change in skin quality appears from around six to eight weeks and keeps building for a couple of months after the last session.
No. Filler adds volume and changes shape. Polynucleotides add no volume — they encourage your skin's own repair cells to produce collagen and elastin, improving quality rather than structure.
Profhilo is hyaluronic acid that hydrates and bio-remodels the tissue directly. Polynucleotides work further upstream by signalling your fibroblasts to become more active. Different jobs, sometimes used together, often used alone.
They work well for under-eye crepiness and thin, tired-looking skin. They do not correct hollowing caused by volume loss, and they will not remove dark circles caused by pigmentation or underlying vessels. We will tell you which you have.
Topical anaesthetic is applied beforehand. Most patients find it very manageable. Under the eyes is more sensitive than the cheeks, and small bumps at the injection points are normal for a few hours.
Minimal. Expect small raised bumps at each injection point settling within hours to a day, and occasional bruising, particularly under the eyes. Most people carry on as normal the same day.
Anyone with a fish or salmon allergy, since they are salmon-derived. Also not suitable in pregnancy or breastfeeding, with an active infection or cold sore in the area, or with certain autoimmune conditions without specialist clearance.
They have a good safety profile and the molecules are highly compatible with human tissue. The main risks are bruising, small bumps and, rarely, infection or allergic reaction. Suitability is assessed properly at consultation.
Most patients maintain the result for six to twelve months after a full course, depending on skin, lifestyle and sun exposure. Maintenance is usually one or two sessions a year.
Polynucleotides · Limerick
Book a consultation at our Limerick clinic and get a plain-English, honest explanation of what would suit your skin.
Honest advice · No pressure · Doctor-led