Polynucleotides
Injectable polynucleotides — purified DNA fragments that bind water and stimulate the skin's own collagen and elastin — for under-eye texture, fine lines, and overall skin quality, delivered as a short course by a GMC-registered medical doctor.
Book Consultation
The short answer
What this treatment is
Polynucleotides are purified short fragments of DNA — a bioactive substance that binds water in the skin, stimulates fibroblasts to produce new collagen and elastin, and has a documented calming, anti-inflammatory effect on the surrounding tissue. They are not a filler (they add no volume) and they work differently from a bioremodeller such as Profhilo; they sit in their own regenerative category and are particularly useful where structural filler is the wrong tool — the delicate under-eye area, periorbital crepiness, and fine lines, as well as improving overall skin quality and resilience. Dr Paul Elgey delivers polynucleotides as a short course, typically several sessions a few weeks apart, because regeneration is a process the skin builds over time rather than an instant change.
Areas treated
What's included
- Regenerative — stimulates your own collagen, elastin, and tissue repair
- Particularly effective for under-eye texture and fine lines where filler is unsuitable
- A different mechanism from filler and from bioremodellers — often combined with both
- Improves skin elasticity, repair, and quality from within, gradually and naturally
- Delivered as a planned short course of sessions, then maintenance
- Performed by Dr Elgey himself — a GMC-registered medical doctor
Boundaries of practice
What's not treated
Good practice means saying no when indicated:
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Active skin infection or autoimmune flare at the injection site
- Known hypersensitivity to the product or its components
- Active cold sore (herpes simplex) outbreak near a treatment site
- Recent (within two weeks) aggressive energy-based treatment at the same site
- Bleeding disorders or current anticoagulant therapy without specialist clearance
Patient journey
What to expect
Consultation & preparation
Avoid ibuprofen, aspirin, vitamin E, fish oil, and alcohol for 24 to 48 hours before treatment to minimise bruising. Come makeup-free, and discontinue topical retinoids on the treatment area for 48 hours beforehand. Flag any history of cold sores and any bleeding disorder or anticoagulant medication at consultation.
During treatment
Aftercare
Avoid pressure, massage, and makeup at the injection points for 12 hours. Skip saunas, steam rooms, intense exercise, and alcohol for 24 hours. Visible improvement is gradual and builds over the weeks following the course. Photographs are taken at each visit so progress can be tracked objectively against your starting point.
Transparent, all-in pricing
Skin
Written and medically reviewed by Dr Paul Elgey , Aesthetic Doctor & GP — MBBS MRCGP · MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) — polynucleotide injectables are CE-marked medical devices.
FAQ
Common
questions
How long until I see results from polynucleotides?
Polynucleotides work gradually because they stimulate your own collagen and elastin. Most patients notice improvement building from the second session, with the fullest effect developing over the weeks after the final session of the course. Photographs are taken along the way so progress is documented even when day-to-day change is hard to see in the mirror.
Do polynucleotides hurt?
Discomfort is mild — a small pinch at each injection point, with numbing cream applied beforehand for comfort. The under-eye area is treated with a fine needle and a slow, careful technique. Each session takes around 30 minutes including assessment, and most patients return to their day immediately afterwards.
How many sessions will I need?
Polynucleotides are delivered as a short course — typically several sessions a few weeks apart — to build the regenerative effect, followed by occasional maintenance. The exact number depends on the area treated and your skin, and Dr Elgey will set out a clear plan and timeline at your consultation before any treatment begins.
Can I combine polynucleotides with other treatments?
Yes. Polynucleotides are commonly combined with hyaluronic acid filler, skin boosters, and anti-wrinkle injections, because each works on different tissue in a complementary way. Energy-based treatments such as laser or microneedling are usually spaced about two weeks either side. A common combination is under-eye polynucleotides alongside a separate skin or filler appointment.
Are there side effects?
Side effects are usually minor and short-lived: a small bruise at an injection point, mild local swelling for a day, and brief tenderness. Rarely, a small lump or area of redness can occur and resolves over a week or two. Polynucleotides have a strong safety profile because they are biologically similar to the body's own building blocks.
Who performs the treatment?
Every treatment is performed by Dr Paul Elgey himself — a GMC-registered medical doctor (MBBS, MRCGP) with over 20 years in medicine and a Level 7 Diploma in Injectables. Treatment begins with a doctor-led consultation, where your suitability is assessed and a course is planned around your skin and goals.
Related Treatments
Get Started
Ready to begin?
Book today.
Dr Paul Elgey Aesthetics • Unit 1, Orchard Street, London W1H 6HJ
BookAppointments typically available within 1–2 weeks