What is the unfortunately named 'Salmon Sperm Facial'?
Everywhere you look at the moment, you see people writing about, talking about or having the ‘Salmon Sperm Facial’! We cannot bear this name at Noaem Skin, not only because it sounds awful but also because it is factually incorrect.
Even The Guardian went with the headline: ‘People are getting salmon sperm injected into their faces. Why?’ and Glamour Magazine rolled with: ‘Polynucleotides (aka salmon sperm) are the new luxury injectable everyone’s talking about – here’s how they transformed my skin’
So rather than continuing to roll our eyes, we thought it was about time that we set things straight.
Is there really such a thing as a salmon sperm facial?
In a word, no. For two reasons.
Firstly, this treatment is not a facial. It is an injectable treatment delivered by a skilled medical practitioner into the skin where it can really get to work on skin health, rather than a product that is left on the surface.
Secondly, it is not sperm. Calling it this might make for good click bait, but it is just plain wrong (more on why below).
The treatment being referred to here is Polynucleotides (at least Glamour got the real name in there too!). Dr Chris was one of the first cosmetic doctors to train in advanced applications of polynucleotides in the UK and for this reason – and more – we hold this treatment close to our hearts! Yes, there is a buzz about this treatment but it really has changed the way we look at injectables.
So what actually is it?
Polynucleotides get their name because they are fragments of DNA, or Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid. Nucleic acids are remarkable molecules that have the ability to replicate themselves, making them particularly useful for building organisms. The basic functional unit of nucleic acids is the nucleotide. So, when we say polynucleotides, we mean multiple (poly) nucleotide molecules joined together to form short chains.
So why are they being called salmon sperm?
Well, the DNA that is used to make polynucleotides is taken from the gonads of salmon (or in fact trout!) that live in the lakes of northern Italy. Why? Because salmon DNA is close enough to our own to make it useful for making polynucleotides, and they provide a plentiful source of healthy DNA to make polynucleotides.
But does this not make it sperm?
No. Spermatozoa are whole cells. DNA is a molecule that is found at the centre of every living cell.
Once it has been removed from the cell, processed and turned into a purified polynucleotide product, it is no more a spermatozoa than the instruction manual from a furniture flat pack is a wardrobe!
Why is it so popular?
There is an ever growing list of celebrities that have been having this treatment including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Aniston. When you have a product that can communicate to your skin cells to ‘behave younger’, who can resist?
Polynucleotides – when introduced under the skin surface have the following actions:
- Stimulate our fibroblast cells to produce collagen and elastin
- Improve tissue regeneration
- Restore skin tone and elasticity.
- Have an antioxidant effect thereby protecting the skin
- Hydrate the skin
- Have an anti-inflammatory effect
- Can reduce pigmentation
What can this mean for your skin:
- Plumper skin
- Smoother appearance
- Improved radiance – think glowy skin!
- Restore firmness
- Healthier appearance
- Reduced pigmentation
- Reduced redness to the skin
Where can Polynucleotides be used?
The face, neck and hands are the most common areas with the under-eye area being very popular. There are not many treatments that can be carried out to improve the skin quality around the eye so when Polynucleotides came on the scene, the response was huge.
Eyes are a problematic area for many people. Tear trough filler is an option but not everyone is a suitable candidate and many do not want to take the risk – as with any filler treatment, there are risks associated. So Polynucleotides are the perfect option, and in our experience, our clients are happy to forego under-eye concealer after a course of treatments and that is a BIG thing!
The midface is the next most popular area to treat at Noaem Skin and the neck is catching up.
Is it suitable for everyone?
Polynucleotides are a natural option and have a good safety profile. Despite the current hype, they have been researched since the 1980s when surgeons started using them to help with wound healing.
If you are vegetarian or vegan, you might not be keen to have this treatment and we would also exclude those with fish allergies or pregnant or breast-feeding women.
Polynucleotides can be combined with most other skin treatments to enhance results.
What happens during the treatment?
Dr Chris carries out our Polynucleotide treatments at Noaem Skin. He applies anaesthetic cream and will use either a needle or a cannula to administer the product.
Treatment with cannula can help to reduce downtime and the risk of bruising. It doesn’t hurt, it just feels a little strange. When a needle is used, there will be multiple raised spots afterwards where the product has been injected and they can take 24-72 hours to go down.
When can I expect results?
This is not a treatment that gives instant results so patience is needed. It is also important to ensure that you have the full recommended course as one treatment alone will not be enough.
It is possible to notice results – such as improvements in texture, firmness, elasticity and hydration – a few weeks into the course of treatments however the full results develop over the next few months .
Results last around six months and maintenance treatments should be undertaken to prolong the effect.
Dr Chris’s take on Polynucleotides
“The use of polynucleotides for cosmetic benefit has really taken off since we started using them a few years ago, and for good reason. They are brilliant at delivering healthy, natural looking skin improvements by stimulating our own skin to regenerate and rejuvenate itself.
Their safety profile is excellent, with no recorded adverse reactions to the product, and so they make a great addition to a skin health programme for almost anyone.
Think of polynucleotides as a super-supplement for skin. Using them alone will provide everyone with a cosmetic and skin health benefit, but using them as part of a full programme of skin care is really going to turbo-charge results!”