Polynucleotides

Skin quality

Firmer, smoother, better-hydrated skin

Polynucleotides in Hale, Altrincham

Polynucleotide injections can improve crepey texture, hydration and firmness, helping your skin look fresher and feel more supple.

Perhaps it's the fine creases beneath your eyes, or skin that feels thinner and less springy than it used to. Your usual skincare still has its place, but you'd like a bit more help with the skin underneath it.

Polynucleotides work on skin quality, encouraging a gradual improvement in hydration, elasticity and texture. That can mean smoother-looking under-eyes, a less crepey neck or a face that looks fresher even on the days you leave the makeup drawer shut.

Dr Alex will assess the areas that bother you and explain what treatment could improve, using products including Ameela and Rejuran.

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Dr Alex has trained medical professionals in Ameela polynucleotide treatments. He'll assess your skin, recommend your treatment and carry it out himself.

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Treatment costs
Ameela from £350
Visible recovery
Usually 1-2 days
Results develop
Over 1-3 months
Initial course
Usually 3 sessions

What have you noticed?

Your skin doesn't feel quite like it used to

You don't need a dramatic change to have a good reason for coming in. Sometimes it's a small patch of skin you notice every morning.

Your under-eyes look crepey

The skin beneath your eyes looks fine, dry or crinkly, even when you've slept well. Concealer has started doing an excellent job of pointing out the creases. You'd like the skin itself to look smoother.

Your skin has lost some of its spring

Your face or neck feels less firm, and the skin creases more easily than it used to. You're interested in improving its texture and elasticity, with a result that develops gradually.

You'd like your skin to look fresher

Your skin looks dull or feels persistently dehydrated. You'd like a smoother, more supple feel and a healthier-looking glow, without making fuller cheeks or a different facial shape the aim of treatment.

The practical details

Polynucleotide treatment at a glance

Allow for a little visible settling time after each appointment, then give your skin time to improve between visits.

Treatment costs
Ameela from £350
Per session for the eyes, face or neck. Your quote will confirm the product, areas and recommended course.
Visible recovery
Usually 1-2 days
Small injection bumps and swelling usually settle over this time. Bruising or puffiness can last longer.
Results develop
Over 1-3 months
Some early changes may appear within a few weeks. Improvement builds during and after the initial course.
Initial course
Usually 3 sessions
Dr Alex generally recommends three where suitable, although two may be appropriate. Spacing depends on the product and treatment plan.
Maintenance
Often every 6 months
A further session can help maintain the improvement. Timing is based on your skin and how it responds.

What could improve?

Skin that feels more supple and looks less crepey

The change is usually gradual: better hydration, a smoother texture and skin that looks and feels a little firmer.

Around the eyes, the aim is to improve the fine, crepey skin that can make the area look tired. Across the face, neck and selected body areas, treatment can help with a dry-looking texture and reduced elasticity.

Dr Alex sometimes sees a little extra support as skin quality improves, which can soften the appearance of some shadows. He'll keep that separate from filling a hollow: the two need different treatment.

Expect changes over the first one to three months as your course progresses. Some people notice hydration or texture improving sooner, while firmness takes longer to judge. The swelling straight after an appointment isn't your finished result.

Photographs taken before treatment and a few months later can make the gradual change easier to see. You may also notice it when applying skincare or makeup: the surface looks less crinkly and the skin feels more supple.

✓

✓

Less crepey-looking skin around the eyes

✓

Improved hydration and a fresher appearance

✓

A smoother texture with softer-looking fine creases

✓

Better elasticity and a firmer feel

Is it right for your skin?

Start with the change you actually want

Skin quality, volume loss and surface damage can all affect how an area looks. Dr Alex will work out which matters most before recommending treatment.

Fine, delicate skin around the eyes
Polynucleotides can be useful when crepey texture and poor elasticity are the main concern. Dr Alex treats the under-eye area and may consider selected upper-eyelid skin, depending on your anatomy and the product used.
Dry-looking or less elastic skin elsewhere
Treatment can also be considered for the face, neck, chest and selected body areas. The plan depends on the amount and condition of the skin involved, rather than treating every area with the same product or course.
Skin quality alongside scarring or laser treatment
Dr Alex sometimes uses polynucleotides alongside laser for acne-scarred skin and lingering red acne marks. He may also recommend them as skin preparation before laser, with the aim of improving skin condition before resurfacing.

Polynucleotides and filler

A hollow needs more than better skin quality

If a shadow is mainly caused by a hollow, improving the overlying skin won't replace the missing volume. Filler may be more appropriate after assessment. Polynucleotides aren't a "natural filler" or a substitute for the volume that filler provides.

Likewise, deeply etched surface lines may respond better to laser resurfacing. Polynucleotides can improve the surrounding skin quality without removing every line. Dr Alex will explain whether one treatment or a combination is likely to get closer to the change you want.

What are polynucleotides?

Helping the skin hold moisture and renew itself

Polynucleotides are purified chains of DNA-derived material, delivered into the skin in an injectable gel.

They help retain water and support the skin's repair processes, including the activity of fibroblasts - the cells that make collagen and other supporting tissue. The aim is a gradual improvement in hydration, texture and elasticity.

You may have heard the treatment called the "salmon sperm facial". It is certainly the name people remember. The reference comes from the fish-derived DNA used to make these products. The finished treatment contains highly purified material, rather than raw sperm or fish tissue, and is given by injection.

The products aren't all identical. Some also contain hyaluronic acid or other ingredients. Dr Alex chooses the formulation for the skin and area being treated, and will explain which one he recommends for you.

Your appointment

Time to talk, numb the skin and treat

These injections can sting. Dr Alex uses strong numbing cream and, where appropriate, a local anaesthetic nerve block to make treatment more comfortable.

Consultation

Show Dr Alex what bothers you

He'll examine your skin, discuss the improvement you'd like and check your medical history, allergies and previous treatments. You can ask about a particular brand, or leave the product choice to him once you've discussed your goals.
Preparation

Get comfortable before the injections

Your skin is cleaned and the chosen anaesthetic is given time to work. Numbing cream, a nerve block or a combination may be used, depending on the area. Tell Dr Alex if you've found treatment painful before.
Treatment

Treat the areas you've agreed

Dr Alex uses a needle, a cannula or both, depending on where he's treating. A cannula is a fine, blunt-tipped tube. You may still feel stinging or pressure, and he can pause if you need a moment.
Afterwards

Let the bumps settle and the results develop

You'll receive aftercare instructions, including when to restart skincare, makeup and exercise. Expect small raised bumps or swelling for around one to two days, sometimes longer. Dr Alex will explain the next session's timing and how to get in touch with any concerns.

Experience with polynucleotides

Why choose Dr Alex for polynucleotide treatment?

Dr Alex has trained medical professionals in the use of Ameela polynucleotides, including teaching at national training days. His experience includes treating delicate skin around the eyes and using polynucleotides alongside other skin treatments.

That wider treatment experience matters when several things contribute to the same concern. Under-eye darkness, for example, may involve crepey skin, pigment, visible blood vessels or a hollow. He'll explain which changes polynucleotides could reasonably help and whether something else would be more useful.

He also uses them as part of selected laser plans, including for patients with acne scarring. Your recommendation comes from examining your skin and discussing what you'd like to improve. You don't need to arrive having chosen the right injectable from the internet.

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Aesthetics Awards winner 2021

Recovery and side effects

What should you expect after treatment?

Small bumps, redness, tenderness and swelling can follow the injections. They usually settle without needing anything more than the aftercare you've been given.

Possible side effects

In Dr Alex's practice, the visible bumps and swelling usually last around one to two days. The eye area can stay puffy longer, and bruises may take longer to fade. Leave some space before an important event, particularly for your first treatment.

Infection, persistent swelling, inflammatory lumps and allergic reactions are possible. Dr Alex will explain the risks relevant to your product and treatment area, and what to do if something doesn't settle as expected.

Tell him about any previous reaction to an injectable, fish allergy or allergy to local anaesthetic. Purification isn't a reason to assume a fish-derived product will be suitable for everyone.

When to get help

Contact the clinic promptly for increasing pain, spreading redness, heat, discharge, unusual skin colour changes or swelling that is getting worse. Sudden changes in vision need immediate emergency assessment. Call 999 for difficulty breathing, throat swelling or collapse, and tell the treating team what you've had injected.

When treatment may need to wait

Polynucleotide treatment is generally deferred during pregnancy and breastfeeding. An active infection or inflamed skin in the treatment area may need addressing first. Product ingredients, allergies, medical conditions and current treatment can also affect suitability, so Dr Alex will review these before proceeding.

You can ask questions, take time to decide or stop treatment if you need to.

Treatment costs

Planning the cost of your course

Ameela treatment for the eyes, face or neck is £350 per session. Dr Alex usually recommends a course of three where appropriate, although two may be suitable. Your consultation will confirm the areas, product and total cost before you decide.

Ameela eyes
£350per session
Ameela face
£350per session
Ameela neck
£350per session
The consultation will confirm the areas, product and total course cost. Other products, areas and combined treatments are quoted separately.
A consultation with Dr Alex costs £75. If you choose to have treatment within 3 months of your consultation, you can put this fee towards it, including at a later appointment. It cannot be used towards skincare products. If you decide not to have treatment, the fee covers your consultation.
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Other areas, products and combined treatments are quoted separately. Ask about the cost of the initial course as well as any later maintenance appointments.

Your questions

Questions about polynucleotides

From the name you've seen online to what your skin might actually look like afterwards.

Is this the "salmon sperm facial"?
That's the nickname often used for polynucleotide injections. The DNA-derived material is purified from fish sources, which vary by product. You aren't having raw sperm injected, but the ingredient is still fish-derived. Despite the name, this is an injectable treatment rather than a facial applied to the skin's surface.
Do you use Rejuran, Ameela, Plinest or Newest?
Yes. Dr Alex mainly uses Ameela and also uses Rejuran, the Korean polynucleotide range, and Mastelli products including Plinest and Newest, supplied through DermaFocus. Formulations and suitable treatment areas differ. Tell him if you have a preference or have tried one before; he'll explain which product he recommends and why.
Will polynucleotides help dark circles or puffy under-eyes?
They can help when thin, crepey skin contributes to the tired appearance. Some people also notice a subtle improvement in darkness or puffiness, but Dr Alex doesn't promise this. Dark circles have several causes, and improving skin quality won't fill a hollow or remove prominent eye bags. He'll assess the cause rather than treat every dark circle in the same way.
Polynucleotides or Profhilo - which is better?
Dr Alex often favours polynucleotides for delicate under-eye skin, where he wouldn't usually inject standard Profhilo because of swelling. Across the face, he finds Profhilo can give a dewy, hydrated look with a little gentle support; polynucleotides are particularly useful for texture and crepiness. Both may have a place in your plan. They can sometimes be given at the same visit in appropriate areas, after assessment.
Do polynucleotide injections hurt?
They can sting, so numbing is an important part of the appointment. Dr Alex uses strong topical anaesthetic and/or a nerve block where appropriate. Some sensation may remain, especially in sensitive areas. If a previous treatment was uncomfortable, tell him beforehand so he can discuss the product and comfort options with you.
How long will the bumps and swelling last?
Usually around one to two days in Dr Alex's practice, although the area, technique and your own response make a difference. Under-eye puffiness and any bruising can last longer. You'll receive specific aftercare instructions. Get in touch if swelling is worsening or comes with increasing pain, heat or redness, rather than waiting for your next appointment.
How many treatments will I need, and when will I see results?
Dr Alex usually recommends three sessions where possible, although two may be appropriate. The interval is chosen for your product and plan. Expect improvement to build over roughly one to three months during and after the course, with some earlier changes possible. He often recommends one maintenance treatment around every six months, adjusted to your response rather than booked automatically.
Can I combine polynucleotides with laser for acne marks or pigmentation?
Dr Alex sometimes combines them with laser for acne scarring and lingering red marks, and may use them beforehand to improve skin condition. The laser and timing are chosen for the problem being treated. Any pigment improvement from polynucleotides is less predictable, so they wouldn't automatically be his main treatment for pigmentation. Deeply etched lines may also need resurfacing rather than injections alone.
Can polynucleotides be used for hair or lips too?
They can be considered for selected scalp concerns after assessing why the hair is thinning, sometimes alongside PRP or within a post-transplant plan. Dr Alex can use a scalp block if needed. For lips, he has used them for a short-lived hydration boost without aiming to add volume, although swelling can last a few days. These are separate treatment plans with different expectations from facial skin treatment.
Can I have polynucleotides if I'm allergic to fish?
Tell Dr Alex before booking treatment. The products are highly purified, but they remain fish-derived and the manufacturer's allergy advice must be checked for the specific product. Don't assume purification makes treatment suitable with a fish allergy. He'll review your history and discuss an alternative if needed.

Other treatments to consider

Different ways to help your skin

Profhilo may suit broader hydration and skin-quality goals. Laser resurfacing can be more useful for surface damage and etched lines, while filler addresses missing volume. Dr Alex can explain where these treatments overlap and which would be most useful for you.

Profhilo in Hale, Altrincham

Improve hydration and fine crinkling in suitable face or neck skin with Profhilo.

Let's look at your skin

You can leave the product research to Dr Alex

Bring the crepey patch, the tired-looking under-eyes or the skin that doesn't feel as firm as it used to. At SONÜ in Hale, Altrincham, Dr Alex will assess what you're noticing and explain what could help. You don't need to know your Ameela from your Rejuran before you come in.

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SONÜ Medical Aesthetics

34 Hale Road, Hale, Altrincham, WA14 2EX

Doctor-led treatment in a relaxed, private clinic

Close to Hale station and easy to reach from Altrincham, Manchester and Cheshire