Crepey texture
Particularly relevant to thinner skin around the eyes, neck and other areas where adding traditional filler volume may not be desirable.
Injectable Skin Quality · South Kensington
Polynucleotides Treatment at Santi London
An injectable skin-quality treatment used for selected concerns including fine crepiness, texture, hydration and the delicate peri-orbital area.
Polynucleotides are not used primarily to add volume. The treatment is better thought of as a course-based skin-conditioning approach for carefully selected areas.
Understanding the treatment
What are polynucleotides?
Polynucleotides are purified fragments of nucleic acids used in injectable products designed for skin-quality treatment.
They are injected superficially into selected areas rather than being placed in the way a conventional volumising dermal filler would be.
You may see polynucleotides described online using terms such as “regenerative” or “biostimulatory”. At Santi we prefer to keep the discussion practical: the aim is to improve the appearance and condition of selected skin rather than promise tissue “regeneration”.
What the treatment is generally chosen for
- Fine crepey texture
- Early fine lines
- Dehydrated-looking skin
- Reduced-looking elasticity
- Delicate peri-orbital skin
- Skin-quality treatment where adding volume is not the goal
What are you actually trying to improve?
Fine lines
For selected superficial lines related to skin quality rather than deeper folds caused primarily by facial structure or muscle movement.
Hydration & skin quality
For skin that looks less fresh, supple or conditioned, where the goal is a gradual improvement rather than facial reshaping.
Under-eye polynucleotides
A skin-quality option for the delicate eye area
The peri-orbital area is one of the main reasons clients ask us about polynucleotides.
The treatment can be considered where the concern is thin, crepey or dehydrated-looking under-eye skin and where the objective is to improve skin quality rather than fill a deep tear-trough hollow.
It does not remove eye bags, reposition fat pads or replace surgery where structural ageing is the main issue.
It may be relevant for:
- Fine crepiness beneath the eyes
- Fine superficial lines
- Thin or dehydrated-looking peri-orbital skin
- Clients who do not want added under-eye volume
- Selected cases where filler is not the preferred first option
Under-eye skin quality is not the same as tear-trough volume loss
Crepey skin
Polynucleotides may be considered when skin texture and quality are the main concern.
Deep hollowing
A structural tear-trough hollow may require a different assessment. Filler is appropriate only in selected patients and is not automatically recommended.
Eye bags
Prominent fat pads or significant lower-eyelid laxity are structural issues and are unlikely to be corrected by polynucleotide injections alone.
Polynucleotides beyond the eyes
Face
For diffuse skin-quality concerns where adding facial volume is not the goal.
Neck
For selected fine crepiness and early textural change in thinner neck skin.
Décolletage
Can be considered for selected fine lines and sun-related skin-quality change.
Hands
For clients more concerned by skin texture and quality than by loss of deeper hand volume.
What happens during treatment?
Step 1
Consultation & assessment
We review your medical history, previous injectables, skin quality, treatment area and whether polynucleotides are actually the right category of treatment.
Step 2
Preparation
The area is cleansed and prepared. Comfort measures can be discussed according to the product and treatment area.
Step 3
Superficial injections
Small quantities are placed across the treatment area. Temporary raised bumps are common immediately afterwards and usually settle.
Step 4
Course & review
The response is assessed over the following weeks. The exact course and maintenance interval depends on the product, treatment area and individual response.
Results are gradual rather than immediate
Polynucleotides are normally planned as a course rather than judged from the appearance immediately after the first session.
Including preparation and treatment.
Some protocols may use additional sessions depending on the product and concern.
Adjusted according to the treatment area and response.
Maintenance is individual rather than mandatory on a fixed calendar.
Polynucleotide treatment cost
Single treatment
£350
For a selected face, under-eye or skin-quality treatment area following assessment.
Initial course of 2
£700
Two treatments, typically spaced approximately 2–4 weeks apart.
Polynucleotides vs Profhilo vs PRP vs filler
These treatments are frequently grouped together online, but their aims are not identical.
| Treatment | Main aim | Adds volume? | Under-eye role | Typical approach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polynucleotides | Skin quality, fine crepiness, texture and conditioning | Not the primary aim | Often considered for selected crepey or thin peri-orbital skin | Course-based |
| Profhilo | Diffuse hydration, elasticity and firmness | Not primarily | Usually not our first choice for the delicate lower eyelid | Typically 2 sessions |
| PRP | Autologous treatment using the patient's own platelet-rich plasma | No | Can be considered for selected peri-orbital skin-quality concerns | Usually a course |
| Dermal filler | Structure, contour or replacement of selected volume loss | Yes | Selected tear-trough hollowing only after careful assessment | Often single-session / staged |
When polynucleotides may — or may not — be the right choice
They may be worth considering for:
- Fine crepey skin
- Early fine lines
- Thin peri-orbital skin
- Diffuse skin-quality concerns
- Clients who want gradual change without facial reshaping
- Areas where conventional filler volume is not the objective
Another pathway may be better for:
- Significant facial volume loss
- Deep structural folds
- Prominent lower-eyelid fat pads
- Marked skin laxity
- Significant pigmentation or photodamage needing laser or peel treatment
- Expectations of immediate lifting or dramatic contour change
It is still an injectable treatment
Before treatment we consider:
- Medical history
- Current medication
- Previous injectable treatments
- Allergies and product suitability
- Active skin disease or infection
- Recent procedures in the same area
Treatment is generally avoided or postponed with:
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Active infection in the treatment area
- Significant active inflammatory skin disease
- Known relevant product hypersensitivity
- Other clinical factors identified during consultation
What to expect afterwards
Small bumps
Temporary raised injection-site bumps are common, particularly around the eyes, and usually settle over the following hours or days.
Bruising or swelling
Mild bruising, redness, tenderness or swelling can occur following any injectable treatment.
Keep it simple
Avoid rubbing or massaging the area unless specifically advised and use gentle skincare while the injection sites settle.
Your clinician may also advise temporarily avoiding strenuous exercise, significant heat exposure, facials, peels or energy-based treatment around the injection area.
Polynucleotide FAQs
Are polynucleotides a filler?
No. Although both are injectable treatments, conventional dermal fillers are principally used to create or restore structure and volume. Polynucleotides are used primarily as a skin-quality treatment.
Do polynucleotides add volume under the eyes?
They are not used primarily to fill a tear-trough hollow. There can be temporary swelling or small bumps after injection, but the treatment objective is skin quality rather than permanent volumisation.
Can polynucleotides remove eye bags?
No. Prominent lower-eyelid fat pads are a structural issue. Polynucleotides may improve the quality of selected overlying skin but will not remove the fat pad itself.
How many treatments will I need?
A common starting protocol is two treatments around 2–4 weeks apart, although some products and treatment areas use a longer course. Your clinician will advise after assessment.
When will I see a result?
Changes are gradual rather than immediate. Skin quality is generally assessed over several weeks following the course rather than immediately after injection.
How long do the results last?
Duration varies between products, treatment areas and individuals. Maintenance is often discussed after approximately 4–6 months, but this is not a mandatory fixed schedule.
Are polynucleotides better than Profhilo?
Neither is universally better. Profhilo is usually chosen for diffuse hydration and elasticity, while polynucleotides are often selected for finer skin-quality concerns, including delicate peri-orbital skin.
Can I combine polynucleotides with Botox or filler?
Sometimes. They address different concerns, so combination treatment can be appropriate, but sequencing and treatment intervals should be planned by your clinician.
Are polynucleotides suitable for every under-eye concern?
No. Under-eye ageing can involve skin quality, hollowness, fat-pad prominence, pigment, vascular show-through or skin laxity. A consultation is useful because different causes require different treatments.
Other skin-quality pathways
Santi London · South Kensington
Are polynucleotides the right treatment for your skin?
Book a consultation and we can assess whether the better option is polynucleotides, Profhilo, PRP, filler or a non-injectable skin-quality treatment.
£350 single treatment · Initial course of 2 £700 · Santi London, 33 Thurloe Street, South Kensington, London SW7 2LQ.