Polynucleotides Aftercare
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.
- 20+Years' experience
- DHA · DOHLicensed
- 2Clinics
- 2004Practising since
This guide covers recovery only. The treatment itself — in brief, from the Polynucleotide Treatment in Dubai page:
- Procedure
- Skin cleansing and topical numbing cream, then polynucleotides injected with fine needles via a micro-injection technique; 20–30 minutes
- Product
- Rejuran (Vitaran) — a highly purified polynucleotide derived from salmon DNA (PDRN)
- Course
- 3 to 4 sessions spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart; maintenance sessions every 4 to 6 months
- Results
- Initial improvement in texture and radiance typically within 2 to 3 weeks of the first session; results last 6 to 12 months
How polynucleotides repair skin at the cellular level, the treatment areas, who is and is not a candidate, how they compare with Profhilo, skin boosters, PRP and exosomes, and 11 answered questions are on the treatment page.
— Why It Matters
Why Aftercare Protects Your Result
Polynucleotides don’t plump the skin on the day — they switch on a slow, natural repair process. Each micro-injection places a purified polynucleotide gel into the skin, which then signals your own cells to rebuild collagen, elastin and hydration over the following weeks. The few days after each session are when that signal is most vulnerable, so a little care is what turns a good session into a great result.
It lets the repair signal work
Heat, UV and strong actives all create low-grade inflammation that competes with the calm, regenerative signal polynucleotides rely on. Keeping the skin cool and unbothered for a couple of days lets your own cells get to work undisturbed.
It keeps the tiny channels clean
Every injection point is a microscopic opening for a few hours. Leaving them bare, clean and untouched is the single best way to avoid infection, prolonged redness or little breakouts while they close.
It protects your investment
A course of polynucleotides is cumulative. Good care between sessions reduces bruising and downtime and helps each session build cleanly on the last, so you reach firmer, more hydrated skin sooner.
— 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.
DetailsShow less
- 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.
Read moreShow less
- 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
| Timeframe | What’s normal | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| First 24 hours | Small raised bumps at each point, mild redness or pinkness. | Leave the points alone, keep skin bare, no make-up for 12–24 hours, sleep on your back. |
| Days 1–7 | Bumps flatten; pinprick marks or light bruising fade over the week. | Cleanse gently, moisturise, apply daily SPF 50; avoid heat, exercise and strong actives. |
| Weeks 2–4 | Skin starts to look more hydrated, smoother and better toned. | Book your next session in the course; keep up SPF and hydration. |
| Week 6+ | Firmer, plumper, more radiant skin as your own collagen builds. | Maintenance every few months; complete your full recommended course. |
First 24 hours
24hExpect small raised bumps at each injection point plus mild redness or pinkness
Read moreShow less
— 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.
Days 1 to 7
1–7The little bumps flatten within a day or two and any pinprick marks or light bruising fade over the week.
Read moreShow less
Cleanse gently, moisturise, and use a daily SPF 50. Avoid saunas, steam rooms, hot showers, intense exercise and strong actives while the skin recovers.
Weeks 2 to 4
2–4This is when polynucleotides get to work
Read moreShow less
— 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.
Week 6 and beyond
6+The regenerative effect keeps building for several weeks after the final session, with firmer, plumper, more radiant skin.
Read moreShow less
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.
Read moreShow less
- 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.
Read moreShow less
- Avoid alcohol for 24 hours, as it can worsen swelling and bruising.
- Stay out of direct sun and skip sunbeds while the skin settles.
— Skincare & Products
What to Use and What to Pause
Keep your routine deliberately simple for a few days after each session. Bland, barrier-supporting products help the skin settle, while anything designed to exfoliate, brighten or resurface should wait until the injection points have fully closed.
✓ Use now
- A gentle, fragrance-free cleanser with lukewarm water.
- A simple moisturiser with ceramides or hyaluronic acid to support the skin barrier.
- A broad-spectrum mineral SPF 50 every morning, reapplied when you are outdoors.
- A cool compress over a cloth if you feel a little swollen — never ice directly on the skin.
✗ Pause for now
Reintroduce your actives one at a time from around a week in, starting low and slow, once any redness has fully settled.
- Retinol and prescription retinoids — hold for at least 48 hours.
- Exfoliating acids (AHA/BHA), vitamin C and benzoyl peroxide for 48–72 hours.
- Scrubs, cleansing brushes and any physical exfoliation for about a week.
Read moreShow less
- Heavy foundations and thick make-up until the injection points have closed.
— Living in Dubai
Aftercare in Dubai’s Climate
Most aftercare advice is written for cooler, more humid climates. Dubai adds a few local challenges — strong sun all year, dry air-conditioned interiors and an active gym-and-spa culture — that are worth planning around after polynucleotides.
Sun is the big one
The UV index stays high all year, and fresh injection points are prone to pigmentation if they are exposed.
Read moreShow less
Apply mineral SPF 50 daily, wear a hat and sunglasses, and skip the beach, pool and long spells outdoors for about a week.
Beat the air-conditioning
Constant AC and low indoor humidity can leave healing skin tight and dry.
Read moreShow less
Keep a hydrating moisturiser handy, drink water through the day, and try not to sit directly under a cold vent.
Gym, sauna & hammam
Give the gym, hot yoga, sauna, steam room and hammam a rest for 24–48 hours.
Read moreShow less
Heat and heavy sweating raise blood flow and can worsen redness and swelling while the points are still closing.
Dust & the outdoors
On dusty or windy days, keep the treated skin clean and avoid touching your face while you are out.
DetailsShow less
A gentle evening cleanse lifts any settled dust without disturbing the injection points.
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.
When can I exercise, use the sauna or take a hot shower?
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.
When can I wash my face and wear make-up again?
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.
When will I see results and how many sessions do I need?
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.
Are the little bumps and bruising normal — and how do polynucleotides compare to other treatments?
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 — see the salmon-DNA aftercare guide) 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.
