Looking at today's rising skincare trends, we see that treatments that minimize tissue damage and activate the skin's self-renewal mechanisms are coming to the forefront. While treatments that add volume with fillers are losing their appeal, different methods that strengthen and rejuvenate skin tissue from within are sparking curiosity. Skin rejuvenation treatments using salmon sperm are at the forefront of new aesthetic trends. Let's take a look at how this treatment is performed, what benefits it offers, and whether it can replace treatments like Botox .
What is salmon sperm?
The cosmetic procedure, commonly known as salmon sperm treatment , involves injecting a molecule called PDRN, which is produced from salmon DNA, into the skin. This procedure uses natural DNA fractions, or polynucleotides, obtained from salmon sperm, which have been filtered, purified, and sterilized.
Because natural DNA fractions mirror human DNA, injecting polynucleotides under the skin stimulates fibroblast production in the body, helping to increase collagen and elastin. This, in turn, repairs the skin barrier, reduces inflammation, and improves skin elasticity.
Salmon sperm applications, which gained significant attention in America after being featured as a skin secret by celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Kim Kardashian, have actually been used for a long time in Asia, particularly in South Korea. The discovery of this method is based on widespread stories that fishermen applied salmon sperm to their wounds to help them heal faster . This popular knowledge opened the door to clinical research, and PDRN (Product Protection Reduction and Radiation) began to be used first in medical treatments and then as an ingredient in daily skincare products.
How is salmon sperm used in skincare?
There are various ways to apply PDRN to the skin. Subcutaneous injections, microneedling, and cosmetic products containing PDRN are among the methods you can consider. While the effectiveness and methods of these applications vary, finding the most suitable treatment for you is entirely up to you.
Salmon sperm injection is known as the most effective method for delivering PDRN to the skin. In this method, the substance is injected directly into the skin using fine needles. This procedure takes about half an hour, and redness and swelling that may occur in the following days are considered normal.
The results are not immediately visible after the procedure. It can take anywhere from two to four weeks to see the full effects. For consistent and lasting results, which typically last about six months, it is recommended to repeat the procedure twice a year. While salmon sperm injections are generally considered safe, it is crucial to check for allergies and to have the procedure performed at a qualified center.
Another method, microneedling, involves creating micro-channels in the upper layer of the skin using tiny needles, and then applying PDRN serum to the face. These channels allow the serum to penetrate deeper into the skin, but its effectiveness comes after injections.
If you don't want to undergo any cosmetic procedures but are curious about the benefits of this ingredient, it's possible to find skincare products containing PDRN. Korean brands, in particular, commonly offer serums and masks containing 0.5–1.5% PDRN. However, because these products don't penetrate the skin as deeply as professional treatments, their effects aren't as noticeable.
What are the potential benefits of salmon sperm?
Salmon sperm treatments can be used to improve skin appearance around the eyes, the entire face, neck, and décolleté area. PDRN helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagen production in the skin. Increased collagen production strengthens the integrity, elasticity, and radiance of the skin tissue.
Known benefits of this procedure include improving skin quality, evening out skin tone, and increasing moisture levels. Because of these properties, it's an alternative method that can help make the skin look healthier and more vibrant for those who prefer not to get fillers or Botox.
Studies conducted in 2024 showed that improvements in skin elasticity and hydration could be achieved, but emphasized that results may vary from person to person. However, clinical data suggests that polynucleotides support the role of collagen production by stimulating fibroblasts. Extensive research is ongoing to clarify the accepted effects .
Could salmon sperm replace Botox?
Although salmon sperm has become as common as Botox, the two procedures cannot replace each other because their aesthetic goals are different. Botox is a neurotoxin that works by targeting facial muscles to eliminate the appearance of wrinkles. Salmon sperm injections, on the other hand, help increase skin hydration, support collagen production, and improve overall skin quality by repairing skin tissue. While this can affect fine wrinkles, the results are not the same as with Botox. However, because it has a skin rejuvenating effect when done regularly, is an organic ingredient compared to Botox, and does not cause loss of facial expression, it is considered an alternative by many.
Today, we see many people who have had cosmetic procedures having their existing fillers dissolved or choosing not to have their current treatments renewed. With a natural look becoming more popular, being able to age gracefully is becoming a new status symbol. This renewed understanding of beauty is leading to a focus on procedures that enhance the skin's existing quality without causing structural changes.
Minimally invasive treatments that support skin regeneration from within and produce more natural results are shaping the future of the beauty industry. Applications that activate the body's natural regeneration processes, such as salmon sperm (PDRN), are just one sign that a new understanding of beauty is on the horizon.