Polynucleotides in Mallorca: The Post-Summer Skin Repair Treatment Everyone Is Asking About
Updated: Oct 12
In short: Polynucleotides are injectable skin boosters made of purified DNA fragments, usually derived from salmon or trout. Once placed in the skin, they support the cells that produce collagen, improve hydration and help repair tissue stressed by sun and time. A typical course involves three sessions a few weeks apart, with results that build gradually and look natural.
After a long Mallorca summer, many of our patients describe the same feeling: their skin looks tired, thinner and less bright than it did in spring. Months of strong sun, salt water, heat and late evenings take a real toll, especially on the delicate skin around the eyes and on the neck. For this kind of damage, adding volume is rarely the answer. What the skin needs is repair.
That is exactly why polynucleotides have become one of the most requested treatments in aesthetic medicine. At MD Aesthetics in Mallorca, we use them to restore skin quality from within. In this guide we explain what polynucleotides are, how they work, what the research says and why autumn is the ideal moment to start a course.
What Are Polynucleotides?
Polynucleotides (often shortened to PN) are long chains of nucleotides, the building blocks of DNA. The versions used in aesthetic medicine are highly purified DNA fragments, usually obtained from salmon or trout and processed so that only the regenerative material remains. Unlike a filler, they do not add volume. Instead, they act as a biological signal that encourages your own skin to repair and renew itself.
At our clinic we work with established polynucleotide products such as Nucleofill and Plinest. One important detail sets them apart: polynucleotides do not contain hyaluronic acid. For patients who tend to swell after hyaluronic acid treatments, particularly under the eyes, this makes them a valuable alternative.
How Do Polynucleotides Work?
Think of polynucleotides as a repair kit for tired skin. Once injected into the dermis, they support fibroblasts, the cells that produce collagen and elastin. They also bind water, which improves hydration, and they help neutralise free radicals, the unstable molecules that sun exposure produces in large numbers.
The result is a gradual improvement in skin density, elasticity and radiance. Rather than changing the shape of your face, polynucleotides improve the quality of the skin itself. Many patients notice that their skin simply looks healthier, firmer and more rested.
What Can Polynucleotides Treat?
Polynucleotides work particularly well in areas where the skin is thin, lax or fatigued. The most common indications at our clinic include:
Under-eye area: dark, crepey or hollow-looking skin around the eyes
Face: dullness, fine lines and loss of firmness
Neck and décolletage: crepey texture and sun damage, two classic signs of a sunny lifestyle
Expression lines: crow's feet and fine lines that need skin support rather than volume
Polynucleotides also combine well with other treatments. We often pair them with microneedling or anti-wrinkle injections as part of a complete rejuvenation plan.
What Does the Research Say?
The evidence for polynucleotides has grown quickly in recent years. A 2026 review in the Journal of Clinical Medicine compared hyaluronic acid fillers and polynucleotides for under-eye rejuvenation. The authors found that polynucleotides produced progressive improvements in skin elasticity, hydration and texture, with wrinkle improvements of around 37 to 39% at 16 to 28 weeks in the studies they reviewed.
The same review reported that side effects were generally mild and temporary, with no serious complications. Its authors describe polynucleotides as a complementary treatment rather than a replacement for fillers. In practice, this means fillers restore lost volume quickly, while polynucleotides improve the quality of the skin over time. We share that view and choose between them, or combine them, according to what your skin actually needs.
Polynucleotides vs Profhilo: What Is the Difference?
Patients often ask how polynucleotides compare with Profhilo, another popular skin booster. Both improve skin quality without changing your features, but they work in different ways:
Profhilo uses a high concentration of hyaluronic acid to deliver intense hydration and stimulate collagen and elastin.
Polynucleotides contain no hyaluronic acid and focus on tissue repair, regeneration and protection against oxidative stress.
For very dehydrated skin, Profhilo can be an excellent choice, and you can read more about it in our guide Is Profhilo Worth It?. For thin, sun-damaged or fragile skin, especially under the eyes, polynucleotides often have the edge. During your consultation, our doctors explain which option suits you best.
Why Autumn in Mallorca Is the Perfect Time to Start
Sun exposure is the main external cause of premature skin ageing. As Yale Medicine explains, ultraviolet light damages the collagen and elastin that keep skin firm and smooth. On an island with as much sunshine as Mallorca, that damage adds up quickly over a summer.
Autumn offers the ideal window for repair. The sun is gentler, the busy season is over and you have time to complete a full course before the winter social calendar begins. Start in October and your skin will reach its best just in time for the festive season.
What to Expect From Your Treatment
Consultation first
Every treatment starts with a medical consultation. We assess your skin, listen to your goals and check that polynucleotides are right for you before planning a personalised protocol.
The treatment
A session usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes. After cleansing the skin and applying a numbing cream where needed, our doctor injects small amounts of the product into the target area with a fine needle or cannula. Most patients describe the sensation as mild.
Aftercare and downtime
You may notice small bumps at the injection points, mild redness, swelling or occasional bruising. These usually settle within a day or two, and most patients return to their normal routine straight away. We advise avoiding make-up for 12 hours, intense exercise and heat for 24 hours, and of course daily sun protection.
How Many Sessions Do You Need and How Long Do Results Last?
Most people benefit from a course of three sessions, usually spaced two to three weeks apart. Your doctor may adjust this depending on your skin and the area treated. Results build progressively: many patients notice brighter, more hydrated skin after the second session, and the full effect develops over the following weeks as new collagen forms.
To maintain the benefits, we generally recommend a top-up session every six to nine months.
Are Polynucleotides Safe?
In medical hands, polynucleotides have a reassuring safety profile, and most side effects are mild and short-lived. However, they are not suitable for everyone. We usually advise against treatment if you:
Are pregnant or breastfeeding
Have an allergy to fish or fish proteins
Have an active skin infection or inflammation in the treatment area
Live with certain autoimmune conditions (we discuss this case by case)
Your consultation covers all of these points, so you can go ahead with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are polynucleotides made of?
They are purified DNA fragments, usually derived from salmon or trout. The purification process removes proteins and impurities, leaving the regenerative molecules that support skin repair.
How long do polynucleotides take to work?
Most patients see a first improvement after the second session. The full result appears gradually over the following weeks, as the skin produces new collagen.
How long do polynucleotides last?
Results typically last six to nine months, depending on age, lifestyle and sun exposure. A single maintenance session helps keep the skin in good condition.
Can polynucleotides treat dark circles?
They can improve the thin, crepey skin that makes dark circles look worse. However, when dark circles come from pigmentation or volume loss, we may suggest a different or combined approach.
Discover Polynucleotides at MD Aesthetics
If the summer has left your skin tired, thin or dull, polynucleotides offer a gentle, natural way to help it recover. Our medical team will design a protocol around your skin and your goals.
Get in touch today to book your consultation and give your skin the repair it deserves after the summer.
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