A salmon sperm facial in Korea, when it is done at a medical clinic, is an injection of polynucleotide (PN), a purified gel of DNA fragments taken from fish, not a relaxing spa session with steam and masks. The product most visitors meet is Rejuran (PN, polynucleotide — not PDRN), made by the Korean company PharmaResearch. After numbing cream, a doctor places roughly 200 to 300 tiny deposits across the face. Small raised bumps, redness and the odd pinpoint bruise usually show for about a day, sometimes longer. Cosmetic shops around Hongdae also sell serums and sheet masks with salmon on the label, and those work on the surface only. Results vary from person to person.
Guide
Three products that share the salmon nickname
The nickname covers more than one thing, and the difference decides what you are paying for. Injected PN goes into the skin with a fine needle, so it is a medical procedure that only a doctor may perform in Korea. PN can also be spread over the face during a microneedling or microneedle radiofrequency session, where the tiny channels let some of it pass inward. Serums, ampoules and sheet masks with salmon or DNA wording sit on the surface and are sold as cosmetics.
When a menu offers a salmon facial in Korea, ask which of these it means before you sit down. A cosmetic product can feel pleasant and hydrating, but the clinical papers on PN study the injected or device-assisted forms, not a jar from a shop shelf.
| Form | How it reaches the skin | Who gives it | What to expect after |
|---|---|---|---|
| PN injection | Many tiny needle deposits | Doctor only | Bumps, redness, possible bruising |
| PN with microneedling or RF | Spread over fresh microchannels | Doctor-led clinic session | Redness and pinpoint marks |
| Salmon serum or mask | Applied to the surface | Yourself or an esthetician | Little or no visible change |
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What the research on PN supports
A 2025 literature review by Titcomb in the Journal of Aesthetic Nursing gathered clinical studies on polynucleotides and reported improvements in skin hydration, elasticity and texture, linked to repair processes and collagen production. The same review pointed to a gap in UK regulation for these products, a reminder that rules and product standards differ from country to country.
The evidence is not uniformly positive. In a 2022 pilot study in Dermatology and Therapy, Gulfan and colleagues treated women with melasma using noninsulated microneedle radiofrequency on both sides of the face, adding PN to one side only. Both sides improved, and the PN side showed no significant extra benefit. So PN may support skin quality, yet it should not be booked as a pigment treatment on its own.
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Side effects, mapped against a Hongdae evening
The bumps are the part people plan around. Each deposit leaves a small raised spot that settles as the gel spreads, often by the next morning, though thin or reactive skin can keep them longer. Redness, mild swelling, tenderness and a few needle-point bruises are common. Rarer problems include infection, lumps that persist and allergic reactions, which is why an existing fish allergy should be raised at consultation.
- Same evening: a dim bar may hide the bumps, a bright photo will not.
- Alcohol and heavy sweating on day one can make swelling and bruising more visible.
- Makeup is usually held back until the next day, once the entry points have closed.
- Blood thinners and some supplements raise bruising; mention them before treatment.
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Does skin in its twenties need it?
Many visitors to Hongdae are in their twenties, and plenty of them ask whether the injection is worth starting early. Young skin with a good barrier often gains more from sunscreen, a sensible routine and treating active acne first. PN tends to be chosen for dryness, fine crepey texture, early laxity or skin recovering from other procedures.
It is not a fit during pregnancy or breastfeeding, over infected or inflamed skin, or for anyone hoping to lift sagging cheeks, which needs a different approach. A careful doctor will also say so when a facial or simple skincare would serve better.
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Checks that confirm you are getting an injection
Ask to see the sealed product box and its name before treatment starts. Confirm how many cc will be used across the face, whether a needle or cannula is planned, and how long the numbing cream will sit. Request written aftercare in a language you read well, and check that prices are shown before VAT, with 10% VAT added at payment.
Evidence
Research behind this page
- Efficacy and Safety of Using Noninsulated Microneedle Radiofrequency Alone Versus in Combination with Polynucleotides for the Treatment of Melasma: A Pilot StudyDermatology and Therapy · 2022 · doi:10.1007/s13555-022-00728-8
In a split-face pilot study of women with melasma, adding PN to noninsulated microneedle radiofrequency gave no significant improvement over radiofrequency alone.
- A literature review on polynucleotide efficacy on skin rejuvenation, and review of the regulatory status and guidelines around polynucleotidesJournal of Aesthetic Nursing · 2025 · doi:10.12968/joan.2025.0009
This review summarizes clinical studies reporting better skin hydration, elasticity and texture with polynucleotides and notes a gap in UK regulation of these products.
FAQ
Questions about Facials in Hongdae
Is a salmon sperm facial in Seoul suitable for vegans or vegetarians?
No, because PN is taken from fish, so the injection is an animal-derived product. The gel is purified DNA fragments, not whole tissue, but its origin is still fish. People who avoid animal products for ethical or religious reasons often skip it and ask about other skin boosters instead. Raise the question at consultation so the doctor can suggest an option that matches your choices.
Can I go to a sauna or jjimjilbang after PN injections?
It is wiser to wait, since heat and steam can increase swelling and redness while the injection points are still open. Most aftercare sheets ask patients to avoid saunas, hot baths, hot yoga and hard workouts for the first day or two. A cool shower and gentle cleansing are fine. If your trip includes a bathhouse visit, plan it for before the treatment day rather than straight after.
Can I get salmon PN injections while I have breakouts?
Usually not over active, inflamed spots, because needles passing through infected skin raise the risk of spreading bacteria. A doctor may treat clear areas and avoid the affected zones, or suggest calming the acne first. Mild, healed marks are a different matter and are often treated. Bring a list of any acne medicines you use, since some change how the skin heals.
How long do results from PN injections usually last?
Effects are commonly described as lasting around four to six months, and many people repeat sessions to keep them. How long the change holds depends on age, sun exposure, smoking, skincare and how many sessions were done in the first series. Results vary from person to person. Ask the doctor how a series would be spaced if you can only visit Korea once or twice a year.
Will people notice I had the injection when I take selfies?
Possibly on the first day, because the raised bumps and redness show clearly under bright light and phone flash. By the next morning most bumps have flattened, though a few bruises can remain for several days. Concealer usually covers bruising once makeup is allowed again. If you have photos or events planned in Hongdae, book the injection early in the trip rather than the night before.