Rejuran Skin Booster: What Is It and How Does It Work?

Rejuran is often described as a "salmon DNA" skin booster, which can sound unusual to people encountering it for the first time. In reality, it is a purified injectable made from polynucleotides, and it has become one of the most widely used skin quality treatments in Korean dermatology.

This explainer covers what Rejuran actually contains, how it is thought to work in the skin, the different products in the range and how it compares with other skin boosters.

What are polynucleotides?

Polynucleotides are long chains of nucleotides, the basic units that make up DNA. In Rejuran, these chains are extracted from salmon, chosen partly because salmon DNA is considered biologically compatible with human tissue. During manufacturing, the DNA is purified to remove proteins and other components that could trigger reactions, and the resulting material is processed into a sterile injectable gel.

Polynucleotides have a history of use in wound healing and tissue repair in medicine. In aesthetic dermatology, products based on them are often grouped under the abbreviation PN, while related products using smaller fragments may be called PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide).

How Rejuran is thought to work

The exact mechanisms are still being studied, but several effects are proposed based on laboratory research and clinical experience:

• Supporting cell repair: polynucleotides may provide nucleotides that damaged cells can use, and are thought to interact with receptors involved in tissue repair.
• Stimulating fibroblasts: fibroblasts are the cells that produce collagen and elastin. Activating them may gradually improve skin structure.
• Reducing inflammation: some research suggests anti-inflammatory effects that may benefit sensitive or stressed skin.
• Hydration: polynucleotides can bind water, contributing to a more hydrated, plump appearance.
• Improving the dermal environment: a healthier extracellular matrix may support overall skin resilience.

Clinical studies have reported improvements in measures such as elasticity, hydration and wrinkle appearance, though many are relatively small, and individual responses vary. It is fair to describe Rejuran as a regenerative or skin-quality treatment rather than a volumiser or lifting product.

The Rejuran product range

• Rejuran Healer: the original formulation, used across the face for texture, elasticity and overall skin quality.
• Rejuran HB: combines polynucleotides with hyaluronic acid and lidocaine, aiming for improved comfort and hydration.
• Rejuran I: a formulation designed for the delicate skin around the eyes.
• Rejuran S: a more concentrated formulation used for depressed scars such as acne scars.

Availability and product names can vary by country, and the manufacturer may introduce new versions over time. Your doctor should be able to explain which formulation they recommend and why.

Rejuran compared with other skin boosters

Skin boosters share a goal of improving skin quality, but they work in different ways:

• Hyaluronic acid boosters (for example Skinvive or Profhilo) mainly improve hydration and glow by adding water-binding hyaluronic acid. Effects can be quick and smooth.
• Polynucleotide boosters such as Rejuran focus on repair and regeneration, with results that build gradually and may particularly suit thin, sensitive or damaged skin.
• Collagen stimulators such as Juvelook (PDLLA) or Sculptra (PLLA) aim to trigger new collagen formation over months, with an emphasis on density and volume support.

These products are not mutually exclusive. In Korean clinics, doctors often combine or alternate them, for example using Rejuran for repair and an HA booster for hydration, or pairing Rejuran with energy devices such as lasers or RF microneedling.

What treatment involves

Rejuran is injected superficially into the skin, using either a fine needle by hand or an injection device. Numbing cream is applied beforehand because the injections can be uncomfortable. Small bumps form at the injection points and usually settle within a day or two, with possible redness or small bruises. A typical course consists of several sessions spaced a few weeks apart, followed by maintenance.

Common myths and questions

• Does it change my DNA? No. The polynucleotides are purified fragments used as biological material in the skin; they do not alter your genes.
• Is it a filler? No. Rejuran is not designed to add volume or reshape features, so it will not change facial contours.
• Will one session be enough? Usually not. Most doctors recommend a course of several sessions, because the effects are cumulative.
• Is it only for older skin? Not necessarily. People in their twenties and thirties often use it for skin quality, sensitivity or post-acne recovery, while older patients may combine it with lifting treatments.
• Will the bumps last? The small bumps after injection are expected and typically settle within one to two days.

Because Rejuran works gradually, it can be helpful to take photographs in consistent lighting before treatment and again a few weeks after completing a course. Subtle improvements in texture and glow are easy to miss when you look in the mirror every day, and comparison photographs give a more objective sense of whether the treatment is worthwhile for you.

Safety and suitability

Rejuran is generally regarded as well tolerated. Common side effects include temporary bumps, redness, swelling, bruising and tenderness. Rarer risks include infection, prolonged lumps or allergic reactions. It is usually not recommended for people with allergies to fish or salmon, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or anyone with active skin infection in the treatment area. If you have autoimmune disease, take anticoagulants or have a history of unusual reactions to injections, discuss this with your doctor.

As with any injectable, it is sensible to ask the clinic to confirm the product is genuine and to show you the sealed packaging.

Conclusion

Rejuran is a polynucleotide-based skin booster derived from purified salmon DNA. It is thought to support repair, hydration and fibroblast activity, leading to gradual improvements in skin texture, elasticity and resilience. Understanding how it differs from hyaluronic acid boosters and collagen stimulators makes it easier to discuss with your dermatologist whether it suits your skin goals.

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for a medical consultation. Suitability, results and recovery vary from person to person.