Polynucleotides: what they are, what they cost and what to ask before you book
Polynucleotides are one of the treatments Dr Leah reaches for most often around the eyes. They are also one of the treatments most often sold for a concern Dr Leah would not use them for.
In The Ageless Blueprint, Dr Leah rates five uses of polynucleotides out of 10, from under-eye skin to scars, and explains the one concern where Dr Leah usually says no. This page covers what any patient should know before booking.What polynucleotides are
Polynucleotides are fragments of purified DNA, generally derived from fish, used in injectable products intended to improve skin quality gradually rather than add the volume of a conventional filler. The treatment is usually a course, and the right product and protocol depend on the area and the concern. Product ranges encountered in UK practice include Plinest, Nucleofill and AMEELA, each with an eye formulation; they are examples, not interchangeable formulations.
They are most often used around the eyes, where thin or crepey skin contributes to fine lines and shadowing, and for selected scars. Evidence is still developing: small randomised trials support improvement in under-eye appearance and in some acne and surgical scars, with larger and longer studies still needed.
Generally used for
- Under-eye crepey skin and fine lines
- Dark circles where thin skin contributes to the shadow
- Selected scars, including early surgical scars
- General skin quality, as a course
What the guide covers that this page does not
- Dr Leah’s rating out of 10 for each of the five uses
- The concern Dr Leah usually declines to treat with polynucleotides, and why
- What Dr Leah offers instead for that concern
- When polynucleotides replace tear-trough filler in Dr Leah’s practice, and when they do not
What to expect
| Results | Gradual improvement in hydration, brightness, crepey texture and fine lines over a course. Subtle rather than dramatic. |
|---|---|
| Sessions | Two or three initial sessions are commonly recommended, then maintenance planned around the result. |
| Downtime | Swelling, bruising and raised injection points, especially around the eyes, for a few days. |
| What they will not do | Fill a sunken tear trough, remove a protruding fat pad, or correct marked laxity. |
| What can go wrong | Temporary local pain, redness, swelling, bruising and lumps; infection, as with any injection. Tell your practitioner about any fish allergy. |
| Typical UK price | £200 to £450 per session; a course of two or three is usual, so compare course costs. |
Five things to ask before you book
- What is causing my concern: thin skin, a hollow, pigmentation, puffiness or a fat pad? Polynucleotides only help some of these.
- Which exact product and formulation will be used, and is it the eye formulation for the under-eye area?
- How many sessions, how far apart, and what is the full course cost?
- What change do you realistically expect in my case, and when would you review it?
- If I have puffiness or bags, is this the right treatment at all, or would you suggest something else?
Dr Leah’s verdict is in the guide
Chapter 4 of The Ageless Blueprint rates five uses of polynucleotides out of 10 in Dr Leah’s own words: under-eye crepey skin and fine lines, dark circles, eye bags, scars and general facial rejuvenation. It explains where Dr Leah finds them most useful, the concern Dr Leah usually declines to treat with them and what Dr Leah offers instead, and how they compare with tear-trough filler.
This page gives general information and does not replace a consultation with a qualified practitioner who can assess your face, skin and medical history. Prices are typical UK ranges, accurate as of September 2026, and vary between clinics. For adults aged 18 and over.
Common questions
No. They are fragments of purified DNA, generally derived from fish, used to improve skin quality gradually. They do not add the volume of a conventional filler and do not fill a sunken tear trough.
Two or three initial sessions are commonly recommended, with maintenance planned around the result rather than a fixed duration.
Most products are fish-derived. Tell your practitioner about any fish allergy before treatment; they should check the exact product’s instructions.