Polynucleotides: Plenhyage, Nucleofill, Nucleadyn
02/02/23
What is Plenhyage, Nucleofill, Plinest, PhilArt or Nucleadyn?
These are the new kids on the block in aesthetics. These highly purified polynucleotides (PN-HPT) from salmon or trout sperm are distilled into varying percentages and suspended in a water base. PNs are fragmented DNA that when injected into the skin, draws water to the molecules and signals to your body to improve perfusion with vessels and then in turn fibroblasts are stimulated in numbers and activity to create more of your own collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. You will also notice a reduction in inflammation of the skin. PNs optimise the extra cellular environment and stimulate tissue reconstruction and repair. This translates into fresher, revitalised and tighter skin. From now on I shall refer to Plenhyage, Nucleofill, Plinest, PhilArt as Polynucleotides or PNs.
What can Polynucleotides treat and what results can you see?
I think the most exciting area Polynucleotides can be used is under the eyes. The tear trough, dark circles under the eyes and sagging skin can be really improved. It also helps with lumpy or sunken scars, acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, melasma, rosacea, inflammed skin, general signs of facial ageing, eyebrow and scalp hair loss. It’s also great for treating a wrinkly neck, décolleté, inner arms, thighs, and knees. The skin will have be able to reduce unsightly pigmentation and improve skin quality, thickness and hydration. This takes a few months to become fully evident.
Who can be treated by Polynucleotides?
As it is highly purified particles of DNA, water, salt and other simple salts that allergic reactions to legitimate products are not likely. It appears to have a good safety profile in those who have allergies and autoimmune conditions. However please discuss this in depth with your treating Aesthetic Doctor as there are lots of exceptions to this general rule.
How long does a treatment take?
The actual injections will take around 30 minutes. However, 1 hour is allowed to prepare you for the procedure as local anaesthetic is applied a a sterile field is set up. Most people can return to work or do the shopping straight after treatment. Ask your doctor if it is likely anyone would see the swelling after the procedure. Swelling is more likely if you have very thin baggy skin under the eyes.
Are Polynucleotide injections painful?
Treatment is generally very tolerable. If needles are used they should be exceptionally thin and everyone should receive numbing cream (also known as local anaesthetic). A cannula (a blunt tipped needle) is often used and if used at the correct plane delivers products under the skin with just one needle hole, so bruising and discomfort is minimised. A vibrating tool is frequently utilised in Dr K's Clinic. This reduces the sensation of needle pricks through the well known medical "Gate theory of pain relief".
How many sessions will I need?
At least 2 sessions 20 days apart. Some people need 4 sessions. It depends on the degree of ageing your tissue has and your ability to create quality tissue when stimulated. It is so important to have a healthy diet, reduce smoking, reduce drinking alcohol and have a nutritious diet so you create good quality skin.
When will I see a difference?
Your skin quality will improve gradually as the tissues regenerate. Most notice a difference after 2-4 weeks, but things will continue to improve as this is a regenerative treatment. Full results can be expected about 3 months later. There are a variety of different strengths of Polynucleotides and are sometimes combined with hyaluronic acid. Your doctor will advise on what is the most appropriate for you. Here at Dr K's Clinic after an assessment a particular strength is chosen for your skin type that will give you the best results in the shortest time frame.
How long will my results from Polynucleotides last?
For the best results repeat your treatment after 6-12 months. Even though you are banking collagen you will continue to age and so you will lose it again. This is a popular treatment for those who about to undergo a blepharoplasty or who have had one. If you are having surgery like a blepharoplasty, having 1 or 2 sessions of polynucleotides can improve your post operative recovery. It's a popular treatment in clinic in those who had a blepharoplasty, but as surgery cuts away loose skin, it doesn't stop the future ageing of eye tissue. This is where polynucleotides help a lot.
How much do Polynucleotides cost?
This is usually from £350 upwards. It depends on the existing condition of your skin and how many sessions you will require. We will confirm a price during your consultation. Prepaid courses may work out cheaper per session. Pre-paid courses are offerred at Dr K's Clinic.
What is the difference between HA fillers and Polynucleotides?
Dermal fillers simply add volume to the skin. They are “inert” volumisers in the tissues and the results are immediate. Fillers can stay in the tissues from anywhere between 6 months to years later, some remnants are there even up to 12 years later. Some people aren’t suitable for filler in the tear troughs if their skin is loose as HA draws in water and will create puffiness over time.
Even in those who are suitable, HA filler can move and create swelling years later. This is unfortunate but can be remedied by using a prescription injectable to dissolve the filler. Dr Maeve was the 3rd doctor in the UK to purchase and use a Clarius ultrasound scanning (USS) device for aesthetic purposes in her clinic. Using this USS prior to injectable filler treatments substantially reduces the rate of complications.
Polynucleotides are different, in that they stimulate regeneration at the cellular level so it takes time to be seen visually and studies show resulting volumes can be equivocal to HA fillers, although this is unusual. It’s also true that polynucleotides stimulate your own skin and will show improved texture and appearance minimising pores and roughness. Combinations of PN and dermal fillers may sometimes be recommended for an overall holistic regeneration. You will be guided by your Aesthetic Doctor at Dr K's Clinic.
What is the difference between skinboosters and the Polynucleotides Plenhyage, Nucleofill, Plinest, PhilArt and Nucleadyn?
It’s easy to be confused about the differences between these. It’s true both create dewy looking skin, however skin boosters have hyaluronic acid and amino acids as ingredients. These work to add a soft volume and a hydration effect. However, they do not have the same type of regenerative action.
Polynucleotides work to boost fibroblast production, induces tissue repair processes, reduces inflammatory process, regulates melanogenesis and promotes hydration in the skin. This means, yes, you will get dewy skin but also a build up of your own collagen that will last for years. However in both cases your skin will continue to age, so the aesthetic benefits will not last for years.
What is the difference between biostimulators and Polynucleotides?
In a way, both of these create a reaction in the skin that will lead to improved collagen production. The common biostimulators used in the UK are Sculptra, Ellansé, Radiesse, HarmonyCa, Neuvia Stimulate etc. These dermal fillers have polymers like PLLA, PCL, CaHa (with or without hyaluronic acid) that over time degrade into carbon dioxide and water.
Whilst they are present in the skin they are recognised as foreign bodies and they set up a cascade of events to create wound healing scarring collagen (types I & III) and often this transforms to a softer collagen as the skin remodels over time. CaHa appears to improve cell to cell communication and histology has shown production of elastin that peaks at 9 months. These biostimulators produce volume in the skin, but the degree of volume varies between patients.
Plenhyage in contrast, stimulates the collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid,protogylcans and other constituents of the extra cellular matrix as well as some fat cells (there are preliminary findings of pre-adipocytes). This translates into a visually more youthful looking skin. Volume enhancement attainable with biostimulators unfortunately isn't achieved with Polynucleotides.
Again, a polymer biostimulator may be recommended alongside a PN for a more holistic result.
What is the difference between Profhilo and Polynucleotides?
Both Profhilo and Plenhyage will give radiance and glow to the skin. Profhilo is a mixture of non BDDE hyaluronic acid (low and high molecular weights) that stimulate collagen whilst it is present in the skin for 28 days. Profhilo face and Profhilo Body have the same concentrations of HAs but vary in volume, Face is 2 ml and Body is 3ml. The aesthetic benefits are there for around 4-6 months. There is some emerging evidence there may be a stimulation of good facial fat in that time. The new product Profhilo Structura has a higher concentration of non BDDE low and high molecular weight hyaluronic acid than of the original Profhilo. There is evidence of some natural rejuvenation of outer face fat pads. This is exciting news for regenerative medicine in the UK. Profhilo Structura has yet to be launched in the UK (estimated to be in the UK in June 24).
In contrast Polynucleotides have no artificial hyaluronic acid and they stimulates your skin to produce collagen, elastin and it’s own HA resulting in biorevitalisation of the skin.
What is biorevitalisation and regenerative medicine?
Regenerative medicine is the application of treatments developed to replace tissues damaged by age, injury or disease and is often referred to as bioregeneration or revitalisation. Bioremodelling means the structure of the tissue is altered. Often both of these processes co-exist.
Are there any problems or complications with Polynucleotides?
Polynucleotides are injectable treatments so expect to have some bruising and possibly some stinging at the injection sites. If needles are used there can be little bumps for 48 hours after treatment so it may be best to avoid work until they settle.
These very pure DNA particles in a water solution have very little chance of creating an allergic reaction or delayed reactions like nodules or biofilms. These delayed reactions are unfortunate but rare complications of fillers, polymer biostimulators and possibly even Profhilo. The other good thing is that (to date) there have been no reports of a vascular occlusion (blocked artery) however this is not a guarantee and the higher strength products can be quite viscous, so occlusion can't be ruled out. Other problems and complications include: increased swelling especially under the eye, perforation of retaining ligaments, the wrong strength of product used for that patient, haemosiderin staining, and the product being injected into the wrong plane (meaning very little change to the skin is seen and you have wasted your money). Counterfeit products are big business in Aesthetics, be careful who you chose to inject you, some practitioners cut corners and buy knock off products the have no guarantee as to what is in the product or if it was transported in the correct temperatures. At best this would mean you've wasted your money on an ineffective product, or at its worst, a blocked artery or nodules appear that can't be remedied. Use your common sense and choose someone who has a medical registration and knows what they are doing with your facial anatomy and abides by ethical codes of conduct (such as a GMC registered medical doctor). I have seen some shocking cases where rules weren't followed and knock off products were used. If you give a toddler a paintbrush, paints and a canvas you will not get the same outcome if you gave the same items to a professional artist. Please be aware that if you have complications from an injector elsewhere, a private doctor can decline to take your case and the NHS may not be able to help you. Just be careful who you choose to inject you.
How do I book in for a treatment?
My private clinic is 1/2 way between Chester and Wrexham in a countryside setting with lovely gardens. I have clinical experience spanning over 25 years that includes aesthetics and dermatology. I give honest trustworthy advice on what will deliver results. Click on booking link or call us on 07711190079 to book for a consultation to see what treatments are suitable for your concerns.