You've been living under a (beauty) rock if you haven’t heard of PDRN. Many know it as the injectable, polynucleotide treatment, colloquially known as the “salmon sperm facial”, but a slew of topical products featuring the ingredient is the latest export from South Korea. They promise similar results, minus the needles.
So, what is it? PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) is a regenerative DNA fragment, most commonly derived from salmon or trout sperm. While it may sound new, it’s been used since the 1990’s as a pharmaceutical treatment for tissue repair, including treating burns and repairing tendons. This is because PDRN is highly biocompatible with human DNA, meaning it can stimulate collagen production, improve skin elasticity, reduce inflammation and speed up wound healing. In recent years, it’s become a runaway success in South Korean aesthetic clinics for its skin-boosting properties and ability to deliver the sought-after “glass skin” effect.
