— Polynucleotides Aftercare

Polynucleotides — Before & After Care

Polynucleotide treatment is a gentle regenerative micro-injection that repairs, hydrates and rebuilds skin from within, so a little care before and after each session makes a real difference to your comfort and results. This page walks you through exactly what to do at every stage, following the same protocol Dr Azra Vaziri gives every patient in her Dubai clinic.

— Before Your Treatment

How to Prepare (Before Care)

✓ Do
  • Drink plenty of water in the 24–48 hours before your appointment — well-hydrated skin responds better to polynucleotides.
  • Arrive with clean, product-free skin; if you must wear make-up, we will remove it before treating.
  • Eat a light meal beforehand so you feel comfortable during the micro-injections.
  • Tell Dr Azra about any medications, supplements or recent aesthetic treatments at your consultation.
  • Plan the session for a day without a major event, as mild redness or tiny bumps can last a few hours.
✗ Avoid before
  • No blood thinners such as aspirin, ibuprofen or high-dose fish oil for 24 hours (unless prescribed — never stop prescribed medication without your doctor).
  • No alcohol for 24 hours beforehand, as it thins the blood and increases bruising.
  • Reschedule if you have an active skin infection, breakout or a cold sore in the treatment area.
  • Avoid strong actives — retinol, AHA/BHA, vitamin C — on the treatment area for 2–3 days prior.
  • Skip other injectables, facials or laser in the same area in the week before your session.
— Recovery Timeline

After Your Treatment — Day by Day

24h

First 24 hours

Expect small raised bumps at each injection point plus mild redness or pinkness — this is the polynucleotide gel settling and is completely normal. Leave the points alone, keep the skin bare, and hold off on make-up for the first 12–24 hours. Sleep on your back if the face was treated.

1–7

Days 1 to 7

The little bumps flatten within a day or two and any pinprick marks or light bruising fade over the week. Cleanse gently, moisturise, and use a daily SPF 50. Avoid saunas, steam rooms, hot showers, intense exercise and strong actives while the skin recovers.

2–4

Weeks 2 to 4

This is when polynucleotides get to work — stimulating your own fibroblasts to produce collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. Skin starts to look more hydrated, smoother and better toned. Most patients have their next session in the course around this point.

6+

Week 6 and beyond

The regenerative effect keeps building for several weeks after the final session, with firmer, plumper, more radiant skin. A typical course is 2–3 sessions spaced 3–4 weeks apart, with maintenance every few months to keep the glow.

— Do & Don’t

Aftercare Do’s & Don’ts

✓ Do
  • Leave the injection points completely alone — no touching, pressing or massaging.
  • Keep the skin bare and clean; wait 12–24 hours before applying any make-up.
  • Cleanse with lukewarm water and a gentle, non-active cleanser, then moisturise.
  • Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 50 every morning to protect the healing skin.
  • Sip water throughout the day to support the hydrating effect of the polynucleotides.
  • Complete your full recommended course — results are cumulative across sessions.
✗ Avoid after
  • No strenuous exercise, sauna, steam room or hot showers for 24–48 hours.
  • No make-up on the treated area for the first 12–24 hours.
  • No actives — retinol, AHA/BHA or vitamin C — for at least 48 hours.
  • No facials, microneedling, laser or peels in the area for about a week.
  • Avoid alcohol for 24 hours, as it can worsen swelling and bruising.
  • Stay out of direct sun and skip sunbeds while the skin settles.
When to contact the clinic. Mild redness, small bumps, slight swelling and the odd pinprick bruise are all expected after polynucleotides and settle within a few days. However, please contact us promptly if you notice spreading redness or heat, increasing pain, pus or discharge, a fever, or any signs of an allergic reaction such as widespread hives or facial swelling. Dr Azra and her team are always happy to reassure you — message us on WhatsApp +971 50 180 1793.
— Common Questions

Polynucleotides Aftercare FAQ

How long is the downtime after polynucleotides?

Downtime is minimal. Most people have small raised bumps and mild redness for a few hours to a day, plus the occasional tiny bruise that fades within a week. You can usually return to work the same day — just keep the skin bare for the first 12–24 hours and avoid make-up, heat and exercise while it settles.

Please avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, steam rooms and hot showers for 24–48 hours. Heat and raised blood flow can increase swelling, redness and bruising while the injection points are still closing. Gentle walking is fine straight away, and normal activity can resume after two days.

You can cleanse gently with lukewarm water and a mild, non-active cleanser the next morning — avoid scrubbing or hot water. Hold off on make-up for the first 12–24 hours so the tiny channels can close cleanly, then reintroduce it. Keep actives like retinol and vitamin C off for 48 hours, and always finish with SPF 50.

Polynucleotides work gradually by stimulating your own collagen, so you will notice hydration and a fresher tone within 2–4 weeks, with firmer, more radiant skin building over several weeks. A course of 2–3 sessions spaced 3–4 weeks apart is usual, followed by maintenance. You can find session pricing on our price list.

Yes — small bumps at each point, mild redness and occasional pinprick bruising are completely normal and settle within a day or two. Polynucleotides (including salmon DNA) focus on deep repair and quality; if your goal is more surface hydration a skin booster may suit, while exosome therapy targets tone and regeneration — Dr Azra will recommend the best fit at your consultation.

Book A Consultation With Dr Azra

Patients seeking personalized aesthetic assessment in Dubai or Abu Dhabi can contact Dr Azra for consultation regarding PRP, exosome therapy, and regenerative skin treatment planning.

Dr Azra Vaziri is a DHA and DOH licensed aesthetic physician practicing in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with over 20 years of experience in aesthetic medicine, injectables, thread lifting, and non-surgical facial rejuvenation.