PDRN evidence leans toward scar redness and wound healing; the wrinkle study had 24 women over 6 weeks. Limits and warning signs. Here's what to expect.
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Updated
Author
Wi Young-jin · Chief director
Seoul National University College of Medicine · Seoul National University Hospital Specialist
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If you're hoping PDRN injections will smooth out wrinkles, here's the honest picture: the stronger evidence sits on the side of wound and scar healing, not wrinkles. Only a handful of human studies have measured wrinkles or skin texture directly, and they were small. So if wrinkles are your goal, it's worth finding out exactly how the PDRN would be delivered and how many sessions are planned before you book.
In this article, we'll cover what the wrinkle studies actually found, where the scar and healing research is stronger, how PDRN differs from Rejuran (PN), which reactions settle on their own, and what to check on a quote.
Quick summary
Most PDRN evidence points to less redness and better healing after surgery, rather than fewer wrinkles.
For scars: people who got 2 PDRN shots on days 1 and 2 after thyroid surgery had scars that were less red and less raised 3 months later.
For wrinkles, the main study is a small one: 24 women, 6 weeks, with PDRN used alongside microneedling.
If the skin near the injection turns white or bluish, or you feel unusual pain, get medical care right away.
Do PDRN Injections Actually Help Wrinkles?
The wrinkle evidence is still thin. A review that gathered 7 randomized trials of PN and PDRN, with 183 people in total, found that only 4 of them looked at skin aging. The most consistent benefit across those trials showed up in wound healing, not wrinkles. The authors also flagged real limits: few participants, different products and methods from study to study, and short follow-up.
*PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide): an ingredient made by purifying DNA from sources such as salmon and cutting it into small fragments. That's where the "salmon DNA" nickname comes from.
The study most often cited for wrinkles split 24 women in their 30s to 50s into two groups. One group had microneedling with PDRN, the other had microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a preparation made from your own blood. After 6 weeks, wrinkle scores in the PDRN group fell from 2.33 to 1.00, while the PRP group went from 2.33 to 1.50. Lower scores mean shallower wrinkles. Brown pigment scores didn't differ between the two groups.
Keep in mind that PDRN wasn't injected in this study. It was used together with microneedling, so the result doesn't translate directly to injections alone. With only 12 people per group and 6 weeks of follow-up, it's a hint rather than proof. Individual results vary.
What Does the Research Show for Scars and Wound Healing?
Scars are where the evidence is better designed. In a randomized trial of 44 people who had thyroid surgery, one group received 2 PDRN injections, on day 1 and day 2 after surgery. At 3 months, their scars were less red and less raised, and they reported less itching and discomfort. That said, the difference in the overall scar score didn't reach statistical significance. No side effects linked to PDRN were reported.
Researchers have also looked at how fast wounds close. When skin was taken for a graft, 20 people had PDRN ointment applied to the donor area and it fully healed in 12.5 days on average. Another 20 people with standard gauze dressings took 24.45 days. Because that was an ointment, it isn't the same as a facial injection.
There's injection data too. In a trial of 26 people who had skin grafts, those who received PDRN injections into the muscle and under the skin for 10 days had a higher share of healed donor skin on day 7 than those who got placebo injections.
Taken together, it makes more sense to think of PDRN as something that may help skin heal with less redness and scarring after an injury, rather than a way to smooth out wrinkles you already have. How much it helps differs from person to person.
Is Rejuran (PN) the Same as PDRN or a Salmon DNA Injection?
Not exactly. Both come from DNA, but the two names don't mean quite the same thing. PDRN usually refers to shorter fragments, and PN (polynucleotide) usually refers to longer chains. The catch is that papers and product labels mix the two terms. So hearing "PDRN injection" or "salmon DNA injection" doesn't tell you which product is going in or how much.
Even under one name, fragment size can range widely, roughly 50 to 1,500 kDa (a unit of molecular size). That means different products may behave differently once they're in the skin.
Rejuran is generally classified as a PN product. If a clinic recommends a DNA-based injection, ask for the exact product name so you know what you're comparing.
PDRN Side Effects: What Fades and When to Call Right Away
Redness, swelling, bruising, or tenderness where the needle went in are usually passing reactions. With filler injections, these typically appear right after treatment and settle over a few days to a few weeks*. If they get worse instead of better, contact your provider.
*Based on US Food and Drug Administration guidance on dermal fillers. PDRN isn't a filler, so treat this as a general reference.
If you take blood thinners such as aspirin or warfarin, or supplements such as ginseng or vitamin E, you may bruise more easily. Tell the clinic before your appointment.
The changes below are different. Don't wait to see if they pass. Get medical care right away if you notice:
Skin near the injection site turning white, gray, or bluish
Pain that feels unusual or different from normal soreness
Blisters, or skin that's weeping fluid or pus
Go to the nearest emergency room if your vision becomes blurry or changes. The same applies to slurred speech, or numbness or weakness in your face, arms, or legs. Trouble walking, a drooping face, a severe headache, dizziness, or confusion also need emergency care. We didn't find reports of blocked blood vessels from PDRN injections, but because it's injected into the face, it's important to know these signs. Messaging the clinic doesn't replace an in-person medical exam.
Recommended PDRN at a Consultation? What to Check First
A doctor should first look at your skin and decide whether your main concern is wrinkles, or red marks and scars, before choosing how to deliver PDRN. If deep wrinkles or volume loss bother you most, PDRN alone may fall short of what you expect, so it's worth comparing it with other options. Even with the same PDRN, the change you can expect depends on whether it's injected or used with microneedling.
When you get a quote, look for four things: the product name, the amount per session (in cc), how it's delivered, and the number of sessions. If anything's missing, ask about that first.
There's no standalone PDRN price on the clinic's price list. The fall promotion page lists one session combining PDRN 2cc with a Potenza pumping tip treatment, cryo, and skin Botox 1cc at ₩350,000 (VAT not included), valid September 1 to November 30, 2026. Seoul clinic pricing, subject to change.
Fitting PDRN Into Your Travel Itinerary
Unless you had sedation that day, there's no reason to postpone your flight home because of a PDRN injection. Passing reactions like redness or a small bruise don't need to change the rest of your trip.
Be realistic about what one visit can do. Most changes from skin treatments come gradually rather than all at once, and nobody can promise how large an effect you'll see or how long it lasts. In the studies above, results were judged 6 weeks to 3 months later. If you'd like to compare later, take photos before treatment in the same lighting and from the same angle.
Once you're home, you can reach the clinic with photos through the consultation button on this page. If you notice a strong warning sign, such as skin turning white or bluish, spreading pain, or blisters, see a local medical facility first.
The Bottom Line on PDRN for Wrinkles vs. Scars
The one technical detail that matters most is how the PDRN is delivered: injected into the skin, or applied alongside microneedling. The research behind each looks different, so the decision comes down to one question: is your main concern wrinkles, or redness and scarring after an injury or procedure?
Beautystone is a clinic in Seoul's Hapjeong area. When you reach out through the consultation button, include the dates of any recent laser treatment or surgery, photos of the area that concerns you, and the dates you'd like to come in. Ask which product would be used, how much, and in how many sessions, and your options become much easier to compare.
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