The evolution of aesthetic medicine has introduced a host of minimally-invasive treatments to enhance and rejuvenate one’s appearance with minimal discomfort, including energy-based treatments or lasers as well as injectables such as botulinum toxins and hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers.
Among the more recent — and some might say revolutionary — innovations is Rejuran, a skin-regenerating treatment containing polynucleotides (PNs) and polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRN) derived from salmon DNA.
According to experts, treatments containing PNs and PDRN revitalise the skin by encouraging the skin to regenerate key components that we lose with age, such as collagen, and stimulating cell growth and wound-healing from the inside out.
“In addition to being safe, stable and biocompatible with the human skin, PNs and PDRNs are well-known for their wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties. There have been many studies done over the years that have shown how PN and PDRNs revitalise the skin from within. Basically, once PN/PDRN is injected into the skin it activates the skin’s self-generating abilities by promoting cell growth through fibroblast production. This improves the skin’s own regenerative ability, improves skin elasticity, skin tone and texture by balancing oil and moisture levels within the skin,” said Dato’ Dr. Liow Tiong Sin, aesthetic physician at Signature Clinic, during the Malaysian launch of Rejuran in Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur last August.
One of the unique attributes of PN/PDRN treatments is its synergistic effects when used in combination with other treatments such as hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers, as highlighted by Dr Lam Bee Lan, aesthetic physician from Ageless Medical in Singapore.
“PNs and PDRN have revolutionised our treatment options as they are excellent for treating sensitive and difficult-to-treat areas such as the thin skin of the lower and upper eyelids, yet complement other treatments such as HA. When used in combination, PNs and PDRN heal and stimulate collagen production and renews the skin, while HA hydrates and plumps up the skin. In this case, it is not one-plus-one equals two, but rather one-plus-one equals to three or four,” explained Dr. Lam.
Dr Bob Klajo John, aesthetic physician from Clique Clinic in Kuala Lumpur touched on the faster results and quicker wound healing experienced by patients who had undergone PN/PDRN treatments compared to HA or Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy*.
“There are two mechanisms of action for polynucleotide products – one is through the adenosine or A2A receptors and the other is through the salvage mechanism. So, when you compare it with say, HA injections or PRP injections, it potentially gives you faster results because the PNs are readily available, so we do see faster recovery with PNs.”
“Because of PNs’ and PDRN’s role in wound-healing, I think the best combination is to use them with treatments that induce some damage, such as fractional CO2, derma-abrasion, or even micro-needling treatments. When you inject PNs and PDRN, the recovery process will be hastened and results will be yielded quickly,” Dr. Bob said.
PN and PDRN treatments are safe when administered by trained and certified aesthetic physicians, dermatologists and plastic surgeons and are usually recommended for those with pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth and eyes, open pores, as well as chronic skin-inflammation issues like acne and acne scarring. Because of its wound-healing and collagen-stimulating properties, PNs and PDRN are also effective in treating patients with eczema, sun damage, as well as those with thin and/or sensitive skin.
Beyond aesthetics, several studies have been done on the anti-inflammatory properties of PNs and PDRN, exploring its use in treating osteoarthritis or odontitis, which involves the ischemic changes of cells, as well as its ability to reduce inflammation in spinal cord injuries.
*PRP therapy is permitted in Malaysia but banned in Singapore.
