A salmon sperm facial in Korea is a course of polynucleotide (PN) injections given by a doctor, not a spa facial with masks and steam. PN is a purified gel of DNA fragments taken from fish, and the product name most visitors hear is Rejuran (PN, polynucleotide — not PDRN), made by the Korean company PharmaResearch. In Gangnam clinics the choices that shape the visit are in the details: which Rejuran version, whether the gel goes in by needle or cannula, how pain is controlled, and how sessions fit across trips. Numbing cream is applied first. Small raised points and redness are expected afterward and usually settle within days, though this varies.
Guide
Healer, HB and eye versions: what differs
PharmaResearch makes several PN products, and a menu line that just says salmon may hide any of them. Rejuran Healer is the plain PN solution, at around 20 mg per mL, placed across the face. Rejuran HB, also sold as HB Plus, combines PN with hyaluronic acid and lidocaine, a local anesthetic added for comfort. Rejuran i is a PN product made for thin skin such as the area around the eyes.
The version matters for comfort, area and bill. Ask which one is planned and how many syringes, since clinics price PN per syringe or per cc.
Guide
Needle points or cannula: how the gel goes in
The classic technique uses a fine needle to place tiny deposits into the upper dermis, typically 200 to 300 micro-points across the face. Each point leaves a small bump that flattens as the gel spreads. Some doctors use a blunt cannula instead, sliding the gel through a few entry points, leaving fewer marks.
Needle points spread the product evenly over broad areas, while a cannula may suit thin or bruise-prone skin. Ask which method the doctor plans and how many entry points to expect.
| Point | Needle micro-points | Blunt cannula |
|---|---|---|
| Entry marks | Many small bumps across the area | A few entry points |
| Typical use | Even coverage of the cheeks and forehead | Thin or bruise-prone zones |
| Sensation | Repeated pricks after numbing | Pressure and pushing |
| What to ask | How many points and which areas | Where the entry points will be |
Guide
How much it stings, and what one 2025 trial measured
PN gel is thicker than water, and the injection stings even after numbing cream. That is why product design and technique both matter for comfort.
In a 2025 randomized, patient-blinded split-face study in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Jeon and colleagues gave 15 participants 1 mL of a conventional PN filler on one side and an ionization-adjusted PN filler on the other. Pain on a 10-point scale averaged 3.39 for the adjusted product against 5.04 for the conventional one. In the same trial, redness appeared in 40% versus 60% of cases, and embossing in 13.3% versus 56.7%, with similar wrinkle improvement. With only 15 people, read it as a sign that formulation affects comfort, not proof for your own case.
Guide
Why the rules differ once you fly home
A 2025 literature review by Titcomb in the Journal of Aesthetic Nursing describes improved hydration, elasticity and skin texture with polynucleotides, and also points to a gap in how PN treatments are regulated in the United Kingdom. Product status differs by country.
For a visitor, this means a doctor at home may not stock the same product. Keep the product name, the area and the date, or a photo of the box label.
Guide
Planning sessions across more than one trip
PN works through repeated sessions, and the treating doctor sets the interval based on your skin and the product. For Rejuran Healer, effects are commonly described as lasting about four to six months, varying by person. A single session on a short stay gives a modest start rather than the full course.
Visible bumps usually fade within a day or so, while small bruises can take longer. Book the injection early in a Gangnam stay so the clinic can check the skin if needed. A salmon facial Korea search also turns up spa masks with salmon DNA; those are topical and are not this treatment.
Evidence
Research behind this page
- Efficacy of Ionization-Adjusted PN Filler in Minimizing Injection Pain: A Randomized, Patient-Blinded, Split-Face StudyAesthetic Plastic Surgery · 2025 · doi:10.1007/s00266-025-05320-x
In 15 participants, an ionization-adjusted PN filler caused lower injection pain, less redness and less embossing than a conventional PN filler, with similar wrinkle improvement.
- 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 reports improvements in skin hydration, elasticity and texture with polynucleotides and highlights a gap in the UK regulatory framework for their use.
FAQ
Questions about Facials in Gangnam
Is a salmon sperm facial in Seoul done by a doctor or a therapist?
It is an injection, so in Korea it is performed by a doctor in a medical clinic, not by a spa therapist. Staff may apply numbing cream and cleanse the skin, but the doctor places the PN gel. If a menu offers the treatment without an injection, it is a topical product with a similar name rather than PN injections. Ask who will inject before you book, and confirm the product name.
Is numbing cream enough to make the injections comfortable?
For most people numbing cream takes the edge off, but the injections still sting, especially near the nose and mouth. The cream usually stays on for a while before the doctor starts. Some products contain lidocaine to reduce discomfort further, such as Rejuran HB. If you are sensitive to pain, tell the doctor, who may slow down, use a cannula in some areas or suggest a product with lidocaine.
Can I fly the day after PN injections?
Flying the next day is generally possible, though small bumps or redness may still show. Cabin air is dry, so a plain moisturizer on arrival helps, and any bruises can outlast the bumps. Results vary from person to person. Leaving at least a full day before a long-haul departure lets the clinic look at your skin once more before you go.
Can PN injections be combined with a laser in the same visit?
Some clinics pair PN with a gentle laser in one visit, but the order and the gap are the doctor's decision. A laser that heats the skin is often done first, with the injection afterward, or the two are split across days. Combining raises the chance of redness lasting longer. Ask how the doctor plans the sequence and what aftercare changes when two treatments are stacked.
How do I check which PN product is going into my skin?
Ask to see the sealed box and syringe before the injection, and note the product name. Genuine products carry the maker's label and a lot number. If the clinic uses more than one syringe, count them. Keeping a photo of the label helps if a doctor at home later asks what you had. A clinic that welcomes this question usually explains the rest of the visit clearly too.
Who should not have polynucleotide injections?
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and anyone with an active skin infection or inflamed acne on the area, should wait. Tell the doctor about a fish allergy, blood thinners, a tendency to bruise, or recent filler in the same zone. Those with an autoimmune condition or keloid scarring should discuss it first. The doctor may delay treatment or choose a different approach based on these answers.