06 Jul Salmon DNA and Dark Circles: Dr Bela’s Take on This Viral Trend
Article summary
On TikTok and Instagram, before-and-after videos promoting salmon DNA as a cure for dark circles have racked up millions of views. Presented as a treatment to rejuvenate the eye area, these injections are attracting growing curiosity from patients who come to the clinic wanting to know more. Behind this catchy marketing name lies what are actually polynucleotides (PDRN) — DNA fragments extracted from trout or salmon sperm, used in skin biorevitalisation. But how effective are they really on the particularly delicate under-eye area? As an oculoplastic surgeon, I offer a rigorous analysis of this trend: its actual mechanism of action, its level of scientific evidence, and its place among established dark circle treatments.
What Salmon DNA Injections Really Are
The term “salmon DNA” is an effective marketing shorthand, but it is medically imprecise. The injected product actually consists of polynucleotides (PDRN) — purified DNA fragments derived from the gonads of salmon or trout. These molecules are highly filtered and stripped of any animal proteins that could trigger an allergic reaction.
One point deserves clarification, as it sometimes concerns patients: these injections do not alter your human DNA in any way. Polynucleotides act locally within the dermis and do not interact with the genetic material of your cells. The commercial name plays on an ambiguity, but the biological mechanism is entirely different.
Pharmacologically, the product belongs to the family of skin biorevitalisation treatments (a technique aimed at improving skin quality from within), not to the category of volumising fillers such as hyaluronic acid. The primary mechanism of action described in the literature is stimulation of tissue repair and cellular regeneration. In practical terms, the expected outcome is an improvement in skin quality — not a filling effect on a hollow dark circle.
Why This Trend Is Going Viral on Social Media
The evocative name “salmon DNA” generates immediate curiosity on video platforms. It conjures associations with nature, a premium fish, and an almost genetic promise of rejuvenation. This semantic construction is remarkably effective at stopping the scroll and driving shares.
The before-and-after videos circulating on repeat often show results that do not reflect the average benefit expected in clinical practice. Lighting, make-up, camera angle, and sometimes the combination with other treatments account for a significant portion of the visual difference. The selection of patients featured is also a matter of communication, not a representative sample.
The appeal of a treatment perceived as natural and regenerative also attracts patients seeking alternatives to conventional filler injections. This is a legitimate desire, and the marketing highlights the restored skin quality — which does genuinely correspond to the product’s mechanism. However, this improvement in texture does not automatically translate into correction of a hollow dark circle, a pigmented dark circle, or a fat pad, which are anatomically distinct problems.
What the Science Says About Polynucleotides Around the Eyes
Recent dermatology reviews conclude that the best-documented benefits of polynucleotides relate to skin quality and wound healing. This is where the evidence is most robust, supported by a consistent mechanism of fibroblast stimulation and tissue repair.
For the periorbital area specifically, the literature points to possible improvements in hydration, skin texture, and fine lines. However, the clinical data remain limited and heterogeneous, with few robust comparative trials targeting the eye contour exclusively. Periorbital aesthetics still lacks large-scale, long-term trials for this to be considered a recognised standard of care.
In practice, the protocols described typically involve 2 to 4 sessions spaced several weeks apart, with periodic maintenance. These regimens are based primarily on clinical practice rather than strong recommendations from learned societies. Genuine eye area rejuvenation relies on a combined assessment of skin quality, volume, and pigmentation — not on a single product.
Key takeaway: no solid evidence currently demonstrates that a polynucleotide injection effectively corrects a pigmented dark circle or a true fat pad. The product may improve the quality of the skin overlying these structures, which is not the same as treating the underlying cause of the dark circle.
The Real Types of Dark Circles and the Right Treatment for Each
Before any injection, a medical assessment must distinguish four main mechanisms. It is this diagnosis that determines whether any given treatment is appropriate. For a more in-depth look, I invite you to consult our detailed guide on which treatment suits which type of dark circle.
Hollow Dark Circles
These result from a volume deficit beneath the lower eyelid, often constitutional and accentuated with age. A mild hollow combined with thin skin may benefit from polynucleotide biorevitalisation to improve skin quality. A pronounced hollow is better addressed with hyaluronic acid filler specifically suited to the area.
Pigmented Dark Circles
These are caused by excess melanin or vascular stasis visible through the skin. This type of dark circle requires targeted pigmentation treatment — with an appropriate laser or topical depigmenting agents — not biorevitalisation. Polynucleotides have no effect on melanin.
Skin Laxity
Over time, the skin of the lower eyelid loses elasticity and becomes crepey. In mild cases, improving skin quality with polynucleotides or other biorevitalisation techniques can deliver a visible benefit. In cases of significant laxity, the lasting solution is surgical.
Fat Pad (Orbital Fat Herniation)
This involves a herniation of orbital fat that creates a bulge beneath the eye. No injection can correct this anatomical cause. Management requires an oculoplastic surgical approach. At the Geneva practice, a precise diagnosis of the dark circle type always precedes any treatment recommendation.
Risks and Limitations to Know Before You Proceed
The side effects reported after polynucleotide injections are mainly transient: oedema, bruising, redness, or localised pain at the injection site. These resolve within a few days in the vast majority of cases.
In the periorbital region, the primary concern is prolonged oedema in predisposed patients — more visible here than elsewhere on the face due to the thinness of the skin and the laxity of the subcutaneous tissue. Some patients may experience a puffy appearance for several weeks, which must be addressed during pre-treatment counselling.
The injection technique requires precise knowledge of the vascular and nerve anatomy of this particularly delicate area. The periorbital arterial network demands absolute caution, which is why this type of injection should be reserved for practitioners trained in eyelid anatomy.
The benefits are gradual and moderate, developing over multiple sessions. Patient selection is critical: a poor candidate will see little or no improvement despite a complete protocol. An honest assessment consultation is worth more than a rushed treatment, and this procedure should be approached without expectations shaped by viral videos.
Proven Alternatives Available in Switzerland
Hyaluronic acid remains the reference treatment for filling a pronounced under-eye hollow. Its effect is immediate, adjustable, and reversible with hyaluronidase. The clinical track record is solid, with specialist injectors able to avoid the classic pitfalls of the area (Tyndall effect, malar oedema). This technique is among the eye contour injections in Geneva offered at the practice.
Targeted pigmentation treatments — such as specific lasers or gentle depigmenting peels — address brown or bluish dark circles. They require a protocol tailored to the patient’s skin phototype and strict sun protection to prevent pigmentary rebound.
Oculoplastic surgery remains the definitive solution in cases of fat herniation or significant structural laxity. Aesthetic lower eyelid surgery provides lasting correction of the anatomical cause, where no injection can have any effect.
In some cases, a combination of treatments yields the best result. A volumetric hyaluronic acid injection combined with polynucleotide biorevitalisation can, for example, simultaneously improve volume and skin quality. At Dr Bela’s practice, the initial assessment is designed precisely to identify the most appropriate sequence for your anatomy and your type of dark circle, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach inspired by social media.
How much does a salmon DNA injection cost in Switzerland?
The price generally ranges from CHF 400 to CHF 700 per session depending on the practitioner and the area treated. A full protocol of 2 to 4 sessions therefore represents a significant investment. This estimate is indicative only — a personalised quote following a consultation will reflect the actual cost.
Are polynucleotide injections covered by health insurance in Switzerland?
No. This is an aesthetic treatment and is not covered by basic health insurance or supplementary insurance in Switzerland. The full cost remains your responsibility.
How long do the results of a salmon DNA injection last?
Results develop gradually over several weeks following the initial protocol. The duration of the benefit varies, but is generally estimated at between 6 and 12 months, requiring maintenance sessions to sustain the outcome.
Can salmon DNA be combined with other dark circle treatments?
Yes, polynucleotides can complement other approaches such as hyaluronic acid or laser treatment, provided an appropriate interval is observed between sessions. This combination must be planned by an experienced practitioner to avoid interactions and cumulative oedema.
From what age should this type of treatment be considered?
There is no strict minimum age, but these injections are most relevant for patients aged 30 to 35 and above who show signs of skin fatigue. Before this age, a healthy lifestyle and topical skincare are generally sufficient.