A salmon sperm facial in Korea is a polynucleotide (PN) injection given by a doctor, and it pays off only when the clinic has first worked out what is wrong with the skin. PN is a purified gel of DNA fragments derived from salmon, and the product most clinics use is Rejuran (PN, polynucleotide — not PDRN) from the Korean maker PharmaResearch. After numbing cream, the doctor places it at roughly 200 to 300 tiny points across the face. Small raised bumps usually settle within one to three days. PN is mainly chosen for thin, dry or finely creased skin. Melasma, sagging, hollows and active acne often call for a different first step.
Guide
Why a medical clinic diagnoses before it injects
The nickname makes the treatment sound like a mask. In practice it is a medical injection, so the first question is what is causing the change you see. Searches for a salmon facial in Korea or a salmon sperm facial in Seoul lead to the same product, yet visitors arrive with very different complaints.
A doctor separates those complaints by looking at skin thickness, pigment pattern, laxity, volume and active inflammation. Each one has its own first-line treatment, and PN is the main answer for only one of them.
| Main complaint | Usual driver | Likely first path | Where PN fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thin, crepey, dry-looking skin | Weak skin quality and hydration | PN injection course | Main treatment |
| Brown patches on both cheeks | Melasma | Pigment laser and topical plan | Optional add-on at most |
| Jowls and a softer jawline | Laxity of deeper tissue | Lifting with ultrasound or RF | Skin quality only |
| Hollow under-eyes or temples | Volume loss | Filler or volume plan | Not a volume product |
| Red, inflamed breakouts | Active acne | Acne treatment first | Wait until calm |
Guide
Melasma: what the PN studies actually found
PN is often sold as a fix for pigment, and the research gives a more cautious picture. In a split-face, double-blind randomized study published in 2022 in Dermatology and Therapy, Gulfan and colleagues treated 30 women with melasma, skin types III to V, using microneedling radiofrequency three times at two-week intervals. One side of each face received PN and the other saline. Both sides improved at six months, with no significant difference between them, and melasma returned in three patients within four months.
A 2024 systematic review by Lampridou and colleagues in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology gathered nine studies, of low to moderate quality, covering 219 patients. The benefits it reported were fewer wrinkles, better texture and more elasticity, and the authors called for more rigorous trials. Taken together, PN may support a pigment plan but should not replace one.
Guide
Other cases where PN is the wrong first choice
A careful doctor will steer some visitors away from the injection or ask them to wait.
- Sagging that needs lifting rather than better skin texture
- Deep hollows that need volume the gel does not provide
- Active acne, a cold sore or an infection in the area
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Blood thinners or a bleeding disorder, unless the doctor approves
- A known reaction to fish-derived products, discussed before treatment
Guide
Where the injection does earn its place
PN suits skin that looks tired and fragile rather than loose: fine crisscross lines on the cheeks, dryness that creams do not fix, rough texture and thin skin around the eyes, where Rejuran i is made for delicate areas. Results build over a course, and the Healer effect usually lasts four to six months, varying by person.
Some clinics also add it to a laser plan for skin that feels fragile after treatment. Ask what the doctor expects PN to add, and treat any pigment promise with the caution the studies above suggest.
Guide
Questions to settle at a Gangnam consultation
These answers show whether the clinic matched the injection to your skin or only to your search term.
- Which concern is this aimed at, and which one will it not change?
- Which product and version, and will I see the sealed box?
- How many cc, and is the price per cc or per syringe, before VAT?
- Needle points or cannula, and what numbing is used?
- What interval between sessions fits my travel dates?
Evidence
Research behind this page
- Efficacy and Safety of Using Noninsulated Microneedle Radiofrequency Alone Versus in Combination with Polynucleotides for the Treatment of Melasma: A Pilot StudyDermatology and Therapy · 2022 · doi:10.1007/s13555-022-00728-8
In a split-face randomized trial of 30 women with melasma, adding PN to microneedling radiofrequency gave no significant extra improvement over radiofrequency with saline.
- The Effectiveness of Polynucleotides in Esthetic Medicine: A Systematic ReviewJournal of Cosmetic Dermatology · 2024 · doi:10.1111/jocd.16721
Nine low-to-moderate quality studies (219 patients) reported gains in wrinkles, texture and elasticity with mild, short-lived side effects; the authors call for more rigorous trials.
FAQ
Questions about Facials in Gangnam
How does the doctor decide whether PN suits my skin?
The doctor checks skin thickness, dryness, pigment, laxity and any active breakouts, then matches the main complaint to a treatment. PN is the usual answer when the skin looks thin, dry or finely lined rather than loose or hollow. If the main issue is brown patches or sagging, expect the doctor to suggest a different first step and keep PN as an optional extra.
Can PN injections replace a lifting treatment for sagging cheeks?
No, PN works on skin quality, while sagging cheeks and jowls come from laxity in deeper tissue that lifting devices target. Focused ultrasound or radiofrequency lifting is the usual route for that change. Some visitors combine the two, with lifting for contour and PN for texture, but the injection alone should not be expected to raise the jawline or tighten the neck.
I have reacted to fish before. Should I mention it before the injection?
Yes, tell the doctor before any treatment, because the gel is derived from salmon DNA even though it is purified. The doctor will ask what kind of reaction you had and decide whether the injection is appropriate or whether another skin booster fits better. Bring the name of any medicine you needed at the time, since that detail helps the assessment.
How soon can I fly home, and how long do the bumps show?
Flying home the same day is generally fine after PN injections, since the treatment does not need recovery time on the ground. The small raised bumps at each injection point usually settle within one to three days, and pinpoint bruising can take a little longer. Plan photos, meetings or events a few days after the session rather than the next morning.
What should I avoid in the first days after the injections?
Avoid rubbing the face, heavy makeup, saunas, hard exercise and alcohol for the first day or two, so the injection points settle without irritation. Gentle cleansing, a plain moisturizer and sunscreen are usually enough. The clinic should hand over written aftercare; if it does not, ask for a copy before you leave, especially if you are flying out within a day or two.
How is PN priced, and does the quote include VAT?
Clinics usually price PN per cc or per syringe, so the amount used across the face shapes the total. Prices are listed before VAT, and 10% VAT is added at payment. When comparing quotes, confirm the product version, the number of cc, whether numbing cream is included and whether the quote covers one session or a full course of visits.