Let’s talk about Polynucleotides: the good, the bad and the ugly.
As all of my clients know, I like to try most of the treatments I offer so I can talk to you honestly and openly about every aspect — how it feels during the procedure, what to expect in the days and weeks afterwards, and most importantly, whether it’s really worth it. But I don’t just rely on my own opinion. I perform many of these treatments every week, so I get to hear a range of experiences and feedback, and I’ll always tell you the full picture.
So, let’s start with my recent experience having polynucleotide treatment to the eye area. As the weather changes from dry and warm, to cooler and wetter, skin naturally reacts — and for me, that means eczema flare-ups. Mine usually appear on my neck, around my mouth and my eyes. This time, it was my eyes that were giving me the most trouble, but I was also noticing dryness under my chin (and we all know where that’s heading!). So, like any normal person, I thought: “Right — now’s the time to polynucleotide it all and do a little experiment”! 🤪
My plan was simple: polynucleotides are known to renew DNA, encouraging newer, more efficient skin cells to form. Early research — including some animal studies — suggests they may help improve overall skin barrier function, which is why they’re being explored as a supportive option in a range of skin concerns. The treatment also deeply hydrates the area, helping to smooth fine lines and restore that ‘bounce’ to the skin. But — there’s a downside. Polynucleotides can really sting when injected, they cause blebs (small bumps under the skin that can last for days), and because the product is delivered using a mesotherapy technique (lots of tiny injections), the risk of bruising is high — especially around the mouth and eyes, where the skin is highly vascular. I’ve seen patients whose bruises have lasted a full week or more. So, it’s definitely not a treatment for the faint-hearted!
Still, I had a secret weapon to (hopefully) minimise all of this — Skinade’s healing supplement, InSupport. It contains vitamin C and zinc to support healthy skin repair, arnica and bromelain to ease swelling and bruising, and grape seed extract for a boost of antioxidants — together helping to calm inflammation and speed up recovery.
So, how did it go?
After cleansing the areas to be injected, I applied some Emla (numbing cream) and left it for around 10 minutes. Once removed and the skin cleansed again with a clinical cleanser to ensure asepsis, I was ready to begin. A 30G (very, very fine) 4mm (very, very short) needle was used, and small aliquots of product were injected very superficially to raise tiny blebs under the skin.
Did I feel it? No.
Did it look a bit odd? Absolutely.
Immediately afterwards I looked a little reptilian, with tiny raised blebs around my eyes and under my chin. My eyes were slightly swollen but not sore. I did notice two small bruises beginning on my right eyelid — it happens, needles and all — but I had faith that these unwanted effects wouldn’t last long. I’d been taking InSupport for three days prior to treatment to prime my skin and continued afterwards to support recovery.
Immediately after treatment, I definitely wouldn’t have wanted to go anywhere too public — but within an hour, the blebs had settled (for me, they normally last about three days). The swelling was minimal and resolved within 25–30 minutes. In fact, my husband and I went out for a drink at the local pub two hours later, and no one gave me a second glance — I felt completely comfortable, with only a faint bruise on one eyelid.
The bruising was never anything major — it just looked like I’d applied makeup to one eye and forgotten the other — but it was gone completely within three to four days.
And the eczema? That took about a week to settle fully, but I didn’t use any other creams, steroids or ointments, so it was purely the combination of polynucleotides and InSupport at work.
Would I do it again? Absolutely. It wasn’t painful, the downtime was minimal, and it treated the underlying issue — plus, I gained the bonus of brighter, more awake-looking eyes, with less crepiness and no under-eye bags.
Has anything changed in my practice as a result? Yes, it has. I now include a course of InSupport for all treatments where there’s a higher risk of bruising or swelling — including polynucleotides, Viscoderm Hydrobooster, and some filler treatments — as part of the total cost. The goal is simple: to improve patient outcomes, comfort, and satisfaction.
So, what do you think? Would you try it? And how do you feel about incorporating InSupport into your treatment plan?
