Exactly What It’s Like to Get Salmon Sperm Injected In Your Face

Inside the viral regenerative skincare trend transforming complexions—salmon sperm (PDRN) injections.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 30, 2025

Inside the viral regenerative skincare trend transforming complexions—salmon sperm (PDRN) injections.

Salmon sperm injections—a buzzworthy new trend in K-beauty and regenerative skin care—are making waves across clinics, social media, and celebrity routines. Promising glowing skin, boosted collagen, and deep hydration, these injections are both acclaimed and debated in the beauty world. Here’s a comprehensive guide to what they are, how they work, and what you need to know.

What Are Salmon Sperm Injections?

Despite their headline-grabbing name, salmon sperm injections do not involve injecting actual sperm. Rather, the treatment uses highly purified fragments of salmon DNA, specifically polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRN) or polynucleotides, which are extracted from the sperm of salmon and then rigorously purified.

PDRN is a collection of DNA fragments that, when delivered into the skin, engage the body’s natural regenerative functions, stimulating tissue repair, collagen production, and cell growth.

Origin: The procedure was first developed and popularized in South Korea, where K-beauty innovations frequently lead global aesthetics trends.
Not Actual Sperm: It uses DNA extract, not the sperm itself.
Biocompatibility: Salmon DNA closely resembles human DNA, allowing for safe integration with minimal immune reaction.

How Do Salmon Sperm (PDRN) Injections Work?

The power behind these injections lies in their regenerative properties. When salmon DNA (PDRN) is microinjected into the skin’s dermis, it triggers a sequence of beneficial effects:

Collagen Stimulation: Activates fibroblasts, boosting the formation of collagen and elastin, which enhance skin firmness and elasticity.
Cellular Repair: Promotes cellular turnover and tissue repair, healing damage from aging, acne scars, and even UV exposure.
Hydration: Improves the skin’s moisture retention and helps repair its barrier, leading to a glowing, plump appearance.
Enhanced Healing: Accelerates skin recovery after injuries or cosmetic procedures.

Salmon Sperm Injections vs. Botox, Fillers, and Other Treatments

PDRN injections are part of the broader trend known as regenerative aesthetics, which focuses on enhancing the skin’s own ability to heal and rejuvenate rather than simply smoothing wrinkles or adding volume like Botox or dermal fillers.

Treatment	Main Mechanism	Primary Effect	Duration of Results
Salmon Sperm (PDRN)	Regenerative signaling	Collagen, healing, hydration	6-12 months (with maintenance)
Botox	Muscle relaxation	Wrinkle smoothing	3-4 months
Hyaluronic Fillers	Volume replacement	Filling lines, adding fullness	6-18 months
Skin Boosters	Hydration, minor collagen	Hydration, glow	Up to 6 months

Unlike traditional injectables, salmon sperm can be used on very thin or sensitive areas (such as under the eyes) and is less likely to cause overfilling or a frozen appearance.

Procedure: What to Expect During a Salmon Sperm Injection

Here’s an outline of what happens during a typical session:

Consultation: The provider reviews your medical history and skin goals to ensure suitability, especially screening for seafood allergies.
Cleansing and Prep: The skin is deeply cleansed and prepped to minimize infection risks.
Application: Numbing cream may be applied. The PDRN solution is injected via microinjections to the target areas—common zones include the face, under eyes, neck, and sometimes hands.
Post-Treatment Care: Minor bruising or redness may appear but usually resolves in a few days.

The entire process takes around an hour with very little downtime. Unlike some facial injectables, many people can return to work and daily activities quickly afterwards.

My Personal Experience: What It’s Like

For this article, a writer underwent the procedure in a New York City clinic under the care of a double-board-certified specialist. The experience was described as surprisingly quick, with minimal discomfort beyond that of any injectable.

Sensation: Mild pricks or pressure were felt at each injection spot, but numbness kept pain low.
Aftercare: Slight redness and swelling faded after a day or so.
Immediate Results: Subtle improvement in hydration and firmness was observed within a week, with gradual enhancements over a month.

Multiple sessions are often suggested for best results, with the skin continuing to look brighter and more elastic after each.

Expected Results and Benefits

The potential benefits of PDRN injections extend beyond simply “glow”—they offer regeneration at a cellular level. According to dermatologists featured in various reports, here are the main changes patients typically see:

Improved Skin Texture: Finer, smoother, and more even surface.
Reduction in Fine Lines: Less visible lines and crepiness, especially in thin skin areas.
Enhanced Hydration and Plumpness: More resilient, “bouncy” skin feel.
Improved Elasticity: Firmer, less sagging skin due to boosted collagen and elastin.
Healing of Minor Scars: Many patients see improvement in superficial acne scars or damaged vessels.

For most, the greatest results come after completing an initial protocol of three to four sessions, spaced three to four weeks apart, followed by maintenance every six to twelve months.

Who Should Consider This Treatment?

Salmon sperm (PDRN) injections are versatile, but certain groups may benefit the most:

People ages 30 and up seeking to address age-related collagen loss.
Patients with thin, delicate, or sensitive skin unable to tolerate fillers.
Anyone seeking comprehensive skin rejuvenation, especially for under-eye hollows, sun damage, or acne scarring.
Individuals curious about regenerative and preventative aesthetics rather than traditional volume or muscle relaxant treatments.

However, those with severe seafood allergies should avoid this treatment, or at minimum request a patch test and consult a medical provider.

Possible Side Effects and Safety Considerations

Although the treatment is generally considered safe and well-tolerated, as with any aesthetic procedure, certain risks and side effects are possible:

Redness and Swelling: Short-term and usually mild, subsiding in a few days.
Bruising: Especially in sensitive areas or after multiple injections.
Allergic Reactions: Rare, but those allergic to fish or seafood are at elevated risk.
Infection or Irritation: Possible with improper technique; underscores the importance of seeing a licensed, certified provider.

Most reputable clinics recommend patch testing for allergy-prone individuals and emphasize using sterile, purified polynucleotide (PDRN) solutions.

Cost and Accessibility

The cost for a single session of salmon sperm injection varies widely, depending on geography, the clinic, practitioner qualifications, and the number of sessions required:

Per Session: $400–$1200
Typical Protocol: Three to four sessions spaced three to four weeks apart
Maintenance: Once every 6–12 months

While still considered off-label for skin rejuvenation in the United States, the procedure is widely available in South Korea, Australia, the UK, and gaining ground among select US providers.

FAQs About Salmon Sperm Injections

Q: What’s actually in the injection—am I really being injected with salmon sperm?

A: No, you’re not being injected with sperm cells. The injection contains fragments of purified DNA (PDRN/polynucleotides) extracted from salmon sperm and processed for human use.

Q: How long do results from salmon sperm injections last?

A: Results can last from 6–12 months, with most patients opting for maintenance treatments every 6–12 months.

Q: How many sessions do I need?

A: Typically 3–4 initial sessions spaced a few weeks apart, then maintenance as needed.

Q: Is it safe for everyone?

A: Those with seafood or fish allergies should avoid it or undergo allergy testing first. Only trained, board-certified professionals should perform the treatment.

Q: How is recovery?

A: Most experience redness and swelling for a day or two, but there’s little downtime and you can return to regular activity almost immediately.

Should You Try Salmon Sperm Injections?

K-beauty continues to drive innovation in global aesthetics, and salmon sperm injections are the latest arrival promising next-level rejuvenation. For those seeking to boost collagen, heal previous damage, and get an all-over glow—with science on their side—this treatment offers a compelling option. With any cosmetic procedure, personal suitability, safety, and real expectations are key. Always consult with skilled, certified specialists and weigh the benefits and risks for your individual skin goals.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

Read full bio of medha deb