{"id":4782,"date":"2026-10-27T00:12:33","date_gmt":"2026-10-26T21:12:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/polynucleotides-under-eyes\/"},"modified":"2026-10-27T00:12:33","modified_gmt":"2026-10-26T21:12:33","slug":"polynucleotides-under-eyes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/en\/polynucleotides-under-eyes\/","title":{"rendered":"Polynucleotides under the eyes: the alternative to filler for dark circles and thin skin"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you have read British beauty media or followed London clinics over the past year, you will have noticed that polynucleotides have become one of the most talked-about treatments for the under-eye area. Searches in Bulgaria are growing too. Here we explain what polynucleotides are, which under-eye concerns they suit, and, just as importantly, which ones they don\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are polynucleotides?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Polynucleotides are purified DNA fragments, most often derived from salmon, hence the name \u201csalmon DNA\u201d. They are given as fine injections into the skin. Unlike hyaluronic acid filler, <strong>they do not add volume<\/strong>. They act as a biological stimulus: they support regeneration, hydration and elasticity, and help the skin\u2019s natural repair processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You will also come across <strong>PDRN<\/strong> (polydeoxyribonucleotide). It also refers to DNA fragments, but with shorter chains. PDRN also appears in serums, masks and cosmetics. These can be a nice part of home care, but they are not equivalent to a medical injectable treatment performed by a doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why the under-eye area?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The skin under the eyes is among the thinnest on the body. With age, lack of sleep or weight loss, it becomes thinner still. Blood vessels and muscle show through it, which looks like dark, purple-blue shadows. Fine \u201ccrepey\u201d lines appear too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a long time the only injectable answer was tear trough filler. But filler is the right tool for hollowing, meaning a lack of volume. It is not suitable for thin, translucent skin. In thin skin, filler can even accentuate puffiness or a bluish tint. That is why UK clinics began talking about an \u201cunder-eye toolkit\u201d rather than a single treatment. Polynucleotides have become a key tool for skin quality in this area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What under-eye polynucleotides are good for<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>thin, dry, crepey under-eye skin;<\/li>\n\n\n<li>fine lines around the eyes;<\/li>\n\n\n<li>dark circles caused mainly by blood vessels showing through thin skin;<\/li>\n\n\n<li>a tired look without significant hollowing;<\/li>\n\n\n<li>preparing for or complementing other treatments, for example when a minimal amount of filler is planned later.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What they are not good for<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>True under-eye bags.<\/strong> When puffiness comes from protruding fat pads, polynucleotides will not remove them.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Deep hollowing.<\/strong> A deep tear trough needs support, which comes from a well-chosen <a href=\"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/en\/services\/fillers-and-facial-contouring\/\">filler technique<\/a> or a combined plan.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Pigmented dark circles.<\/strong> When the dark colour comes from pigment rather than vessels, a different approach may be needed. See, for example, our <a href=\"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/en\/services\/pigmentation-and-melasma\/\">pigmentation treatments<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Fluid retention and allergies.<\/strong> The cause needs to be clarified first.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is why everything starts with an examination. We first work out whether the \u201cdark circles\u201d come from shadows, vessels, pigment or volume loss. Only then do we choose a method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Polynucleotides or skin boosters: what is the difference?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The two are often confused, because both improve skin quality without changing your features. <strong>Skin boosters<\/strong> are based on hyaluronic acid. Their main action is deep hydration and better skin firmness. <strong>Polynucleotides<\/strong> are not hyaluronic acid. They act as a repair signal and are chosen mainly when the skin is thin, tired and regenerating poorly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In practice it is not either-or. For some patients we start with polynucleotides to prepare thin under-eye skin, then add a skin booster or a minimal amount of filler later if needed. For others, one treatment is enough. That is why the decision is made after an examination, not by a social media trend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What the treatment involves<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A numbing cream is applied first. The injections themselves take about 20\u201330 minutes. A <strong>course of 3\u20134 sessions, 2\u20134 weeks apart<\/strong>, is usually recommended. Results develop gradually: the skin looks more hydrated, more elastic and more \u201calive\u201d. This is not an overnight before-and-after. It is a process of improving tissue quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Afterwards you may have mild redness, swelling, small bumps at the injection points, or bruising. These usually settle quickly. Your doctor will give you specific aftercare advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Combinations that make sense<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The under-eye area is rarely \u201csolved\u201d with one treatment. Depending on what we find at the examination, <a href=\"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/en\/services\/polynucleotides-salmon-dna\/\">polynucleotides<\/a> can be combined with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/en\/services\/skin-boosters\/\">skin boosters<\/a> for extra hydration;<\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/en\/services\/collagen-biostimulators\/\">collagen biostimulators<\/a> for more marked thinning;<\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/en\/services\/botulinum-toxin\/\">botulinum toxin<\/a> for crow\u2019s feet;<\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/en\/services\/prp-therapy\/\">PRP therapy<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Polynucleotides are also used as part of a recovery protocol after CO2 laser, Morpheus8 Burst or chemical peels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who should not have them<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As with any injectable treatment, polynucleotides are not used with an active infection or inflammation in the area, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, or with a known allergy to the ingredients, including fish or fish products. If you have an autoimmune condition, take anticoagulants or have other chronic conditions, tell us beforehand. The decision is always individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are polynucleotides a filler?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. They don\u2019t add volume. They act as a biological stimulus for skin regeneration, hydration and elasticity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How many sessions do I need?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A course of 3\u20134 sessions, 2\u20134 weeks apart, is usually recommended. The exact number is decided after an examination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does it hurt?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A numbing cream is applied first, so most patients tolerate it well. Mild swelling, redness or bruising can occur and usually settle quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Will they remove under-eye bags?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. When puffiness is caused by protruding fat pads, polynucleotides cannot remove it. They improve the quality of thin skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I combine them with other treatments?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. They are often combined with skin boosters, collagen biostimulators, botulinum toxin or PRP, and used after CO2 laser, Morpheus8 Burst or chemical peels. The plan is individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Book a consultation at Dermique<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you recognise yourself in this article, the best first step is an examination by a dermatologist. Fill in our <a href=\"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/en\/booking\/\">enquiry form<\/a> and our team will contact you to confirm a convenient time. You can also reach us via our <a href=\"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/en\/contact\/\">Contact<\/a> page. Current prices are on our <a href=\"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/en\/price-list\/\">price list<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/en\/booking\/\">Send an enquiry<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em>This article is for information only and does not replace a medical examination. The choice of treatment and expected results are individual and are decided after a consultation.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"@id\": \"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/en\/polynucleotides-under-eyes\/#faq\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Are polynucleotides a filler?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"No. They don\u2019t add volume. They act as a biological stimulus for skin regeneration, hydration and elasticity.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How many sessions do I need?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"A course of 3\u20134 sessions, 2\u20134 weeks apart, is usually recommended. The exact number is decided after an examination.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Does it hurt?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"A numbing cream is applied first, so most patients tolerate it well. Mild swelling, redness or bruising can occur and usually settle quickly.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Will they remove under-eye bags?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"No. When puffiness is caused by protruding fat pads, polynucleotides cannot remove it. They improve the quality of thin skin.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Can I combine them with other treatments?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. They are often combined with skin boosters, collagen biostimulators, botulinum toxin or PRP, and used after CO2 laser, Morpheus8 Burst or chemical peels. The plan is individual.\"}}]}<\/script><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"MedicalWebPage\", \"@id\": \"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/en\/polynucleotides-under-eyes\/#medicalwebpage\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/en\/polynucleotides-under-eyes\/\", \"name\": \"Polynucleotides under the eyes: the alternative to filler for dark circles and thin skin\", \"description\": \"What polynucleotides (salmon DNA) are, how they work under the eyes, which concerns they suit and when filler is the better choice. A dermatologist explains.\", \"inLanguage\": \"en-GB\", \"publisher\": {\"@id\": \"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/#business\"}, \"reviewedBy\": {\"@type\": \"Person\", \"name\": \"Dr Samer Chokr\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/en\/team\/dr-samer-chokr\/\", \"jobTitle\": \"Specialist in dermatology and venereology\"}, \"lastReviewed\": \"2026-10-26\", \"audience\": {\"@type\": \"PeopleAudience\", \"audienceType\": \"Patient\"}}<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What polynucleotides (salmon DNA) are, how they work under the eyes, which concerns they suit and when filler is the better choice. A dermatologist explains.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3497,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[382],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4782","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-injectable-treatments"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4782","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4782"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4782\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3497"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4782"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4782"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dermique.bg\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4782"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}