Salmon PDRN
Procedure Time
1 Hours
Recovery Time
1 week
Chronic dryness, fine lines, and sun damage are common skin concerns that many people face as they age. Whether caused by environmental exposure, acne scarring, or loss of collagen over time, these issues can dull the skin’s appearance and texture. Traditional moisturizers and anti-aging serums often provide only temporary relief and do not stimulate true regenerative repair. That’s where Salmon-derived PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) therapy is an alternative.¹
Originally developed for regenerative medicine and wound care, Salmon PDRN has been widely adopted in aesthetic practices across Europe and Asia for its collagen-supporting and anti-inflammatory properties.² Though not FDA-approved for cosmetic use in the U.S., it has gained international recognition for improving skin tone, texture, and overall vitality.²
At Northwest Face & Body, we offer this advanced treatment as part of our non-surgical skin-rejuvenation options for patients seeking subtle, natural-looking results with minimal downtime.
What Is Salmon PDRN?
Salmon PDRN is a highly purified polydeoxyribonucleotide, short DNA fragments isolated from wild salmon, used to assist skin repair and cellular renewal. Because salmon DNA shows high biocompatibility with human tissue, it can encourage natural healing processes.³
How Salmon PDRN Works?
Salmon PDRN treatment works by engaging the body’s innate repair systems. When injected into the superficial dermis, it performs a variety of biological functions that collectively restore and strengthen the skin:
- Cell Regeneration: PDRN activates adenosine A₂A receptors, improving blood flow and accelerating tissue repair.⁴
- Fibroblast Stimulation: It promotes fibroblast proliferation, increasing production of collagen types I and III, essential for skin firmness and structure.⁵
- Angiogenesis Support: PDRN encourages new capillary growth, enhancing oxygen and nutrient delivery to damaged skin.⁶
- Anti-Inflammatory Action: It downregulates pro-inflammatory cytokines, calming sensitive or post-procedure skin.²
- DNA Repair Assistance: Injected DNA fragments help preserve collagen by decreasing MMP-1 activity.⁷
Skin Benefits of Salmon PDRN Therapy
With a structured treatment plan, most patients see the following improvements:
- Enhanced Hydration: Strengthens the extracellular matrix, allowing deeper moisture retention.⁸
- Improved Skin Texture: Encourages replacement of damaged or scarred layers with healthier skin.¹
- Fine-Line & Wrinkle Reduction: Continuous collagen stimulation restores elasticity, smile lines, and forehead wrinkles.⁵
- Even Skin Tone: Early data show PDRN can suppress melanin enzymes, helping fade dark spots, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.⁹
- Scar Softening: Gradual collagen remodeling may flatten acne or surgical scars over multiple sessions.¹
Greater Skin Resilience: By boosting angiogenesis and antioxidant activity, skin better resists UV damage and environmental stress.⁶ ⁷
Ideal Candidates for Salmon PDRN Treatment
This treatment is suitable for most adults who want to improve their skin’s health and appearance without surgery. Ideal candidates include:
- Individuals with fine lines, loss of skin elasticity, or dryness
- People recovering from chemical peels, microneedling, or laser procedures
- Patients with mild acne scarring or surgical scars
- Those with uneven skin tone or hyperpigmentation
- People preparing for a special event who want to boost their skin’s glow
- Individuals with sensitive skin looking for an anti-inflammatory, regenerative solution²
Who Should Avoid Treatment
While safe for most people, Salmon PDRN therapy should be avoided in the following situations:
- Known allergy to fish or seafood
- Active rashes, infections, or skin inflammation at the injection site
- Autoimmune or blood-clotting disorders
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- History of hypertrophic scars or keloids
- Ongoing cancer treatment
- Unrealistic expectations or untreated mental-health concerns related to appearance²
Treatment Process
Step 1: Consultation
A thorough consultation is required to assess your medical history, current skin condition, and treatment goals. Any recent procedures or health issues are reviewed to determine if you are a candidate.²
Step 2: Preparation
The treatment area is cleansed with an antiseptic solution. A topical anesthetic cream (usually lidocaine-based) is applied for 20–30 minutes to ensure comfort.
Step 3: Injection Technique
Using a fine-gauge needle (34G–35G) or a soft-tipped cannula, the provider delivers tiny doses of PDRN (0.02–0.05 mL) spaced evenly across the treatment area. This technique, called the micro-papule method, targets the upper dermis for optimal absorption.²
Step 4: Soothing Recovery
After the injections, a cooling mask or LED light therapy may be used to reduce redness. A mineral sunscreen is applied before you leave
The entire procedure typically takes 30–40 minutes.²
Recovery and Downtime
Salmon PDRN injections are minimally invasive and require little downtime. Here’s a general recovery timeline:
- First 6 Hours: Small raised bumps at the injection sites flatten within a few hours; skin may feel warm or tight.
- 6–24 Hours: Mild redness, slight swelling, or occasional pinpoint bruises may appear.
- Day 2: Most visible signs subside; you can return to work and regular activities. Avoid hot showers, saunas, or strenuous workouts for another 24 hours.
- Days 3–5: Skin may feel slightly dry or itchy as it regenerates. Apply a gentle moisturizer and SPF daily.
After Day 5: Skin is visibly clearer and more hydrated. Improvements continue to develop over the following weeks.²
Safety and Skin-Type Considerations
Clinical studies have found that Salmon PDRN is well-tolerated across all Fitzpatrick skin types, including deeper tones.² Because it does not cause photosensitivity or skin peeling, it is suitable for sensitive, dark, or reactive skin. However, a patch test or sensitivity assessment is recommended before injection.²
No long-term or serious side effects have been reported, though minor bruising, swelling, or tenderness are common and temporary.
Cost of Salmon PDRN at Northwest Face & Body
Salmon PDRN is priced at $900 per syringe, with most patients using 1–2 syringes per session, depending on the area treated and severity of concerns. During your consultation, your provider will examine your skin, discuss your goals, and create a personalized plan outlining exact costs, frequency, and expected results.
We also offer flexible financing and custom payment options to make your skin-rejuvenation goals more accessible. Whether you’re prepping for a big event, improving surgical scars, or simply restoring youthful skin texture, our team will walk you through every option and help you choose the plan that works best for your lifestyle and budget.
Ready to Restore Your Skin Naturally?
Call (425) 295-2279 or book your consultation online to get started. Whether you’re battling dryness, scars, or early aging signs, our expert providers in Kirkland will create a plan tailored just for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Salmon PDRN sessions will I need, and how far apart are they scheduled?
Most patients benefit from a series of three sessions spaced 3–4 weeks apart, followed by maintenance every 4–6 months.² ⁴ This allows each dose to complete its full cell-regeneration cycle before the next treatment builds on the results.
How long do the skin-quality improvements from Salmon PDRN last?
Clinical data show that gains in hydration, elasticity, and fine-line reduction can persist for 6–12 months once the initial series is complete, thanks to sustained fibroblast activity and gradual collagen remodeling.⁵ ⁸ Results fade slowly, so many patients schedule a single “top-up” session twice a year.
Can Salmon PDRN be paired with microneedling or laser resurfacing?
Yes. Because Salmon PDRN promotes angiogenesis and dampens post-procedure inflammation, it is often layered after fractional lasers or microneedling to accelerate recovery and magnify collagen output.¹ ² Providers typically wait 1–2 weeks after an energy-based treatment before injecting PDRN.
Is Salmon PDRN safe for darker skin tones that are prone to hyperpigmentation?
Studies report high tolerability across all Fitzpatrick skin types, with no increase in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.² In fact, PDRN’s ability to downregulate tyrosinase helps prevent unwanted pigment buildup in melanocyte-rich skin.⁹
References
- Galeano M, et al. Polydeoxyribonucleotide: A Promising Biological Platform to Accelerate Impaired Skin Wound Healing. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2021;14(11):1103. PMID 34832885. PubMed
- Colangelo MT, Galli C, Guizzardi S. The effects of polydeoxyribonucleotide on wound healing and tissue regeneration: a systematic review of the literature. Regenerative Medicine. 2020. PMID 32757710. PubMed
- Dananjaya SHS, et al. Multifunctional alginate/polydeoxyribonucleotide hydrogels for promoting diabetic wound healing. Int J Biol Macromol. 2024;257:128367. PMID 38029897. PubMed
- Squadrito F, et al. The effect of PDRN, an adenosine receptor A₂A agonist, on the healing of chronic diabetic foot ulcers. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014;99(5):E746–E753. PMID 24483158. PubMed
- Shin SM, et al. Polydeoxyribonucleotide exerts opposing effects on ERK activity in human skin keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Mol Med Rep. 2023;28(2):148. PMID 37350391. PubMed
- Galeano M, et al. Polydeoxyribonucleotide stimulates angiogenesis and wound healing in the genetically diabetic mouse. Wound Repair Regen. 2008;16(2):208–217. PMID 18318806. PubMed
- Kim YJ, et al. Polydeoxyribonucleotide activates mitochondrial biogenesis but reduces MMP-1 activity and melanin biosynthesis in cultured skin cells. Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2020;191(2):540–554. PMID 31811642. PubMed
- Lee YJ, et al. Comparison of the effects of polynucleotide and hyaluronic acid fillers on periocular rejuvenation: a randomized, double-blind, split-face trial. J Dermatol Treat. 2022;33(1):254–260. PMID 32248707. PubMed
- Noh TK, et al. Novel Anti-Melanogenesis Properties of Polydeoxyribonucleotide, a Popular Wound Healing Booster. Int J Mol Sci. 2016;17(9):1448. PMID 27598132. PubMed