Dr. Walter Castorina
“Doctor, I just wanted healthier skin… then I heard about peptides, salmon DNA, nucleotides, polynucleotides and PDRN. Are they different? And most importantly: which one do I need?”
In my practice, it often happens that patients ask for clarifications about these products. Being confused is fine. These products all look similar and sometimes the differences are not even that clearly defined, with one product having similar or even the same indication as another one.
The world is running fast. Aesthetic medicine follows these rules too. Understanding the differences between all these products and their indications has become increasingly difficult for both patients and doctors.
Having said that, don’t panic! Your aesthetic physician is here to guide you.
So let me briefly break down for you the differences between these molecules and the most common indications, to better understand which one suits you the most.
Different names, one common goal: your skin health!
Peptides
They are the ultimate biological messengers: they influence cellular behaviour and responses. They are protein-derived signaling molecules, able to stimulate cellular response. They act on the core dermis cell: the fibroblast.
You can find them used mostly in creams and cosmetics, but also inside some injectables.
Their main applications are:
- hair restoration
- skin repair
- post-procedure recovery
- reduction of dynamic lines (a weaker botox-like effect for those who can’t have a shot of botulinum toxin)
Nucleotides, Polynucleotides and PDRN
They are often grouped together, but they differ a lot.
I will try to use a similitude to describe them: let’s imagine a building in front of us: it is made of bricks and walls.
- Nucleotides (NTs) are the bricks, visible individually.
- Polynucleotides (PNs) are the walls: long chains of bricks (nucleotides).
- Polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRNs) are repair workers who act to restore the lost bricks.
NTs are basic structural units of DNA. Rarely used alone, but mostly as part of regenerative cocktails. Some of them are used in mesotherapy as regenerative cocktails to support cellular metabolic pathways.
You may think of them as nutrients supporting skin metabolism.
PDRNs are repair fragments used to restore damaged areas. They are generally more associated with tissue repair and regenerative support.
PNs and PDRNs may be extracted from purified salmonid-derived DNA sources, including salmon sperm, salmon and trout-derived DNA.
So, what’s the difference in their use?
PNs:
PNs are thought to create a hydrated three-dimensional scaffold-like environment.
They physically support the cells and stimulate fibroblasts to produce important elements such as collagen and elastin and to repair the dermis.
Moreover, they have anti-inflammatory effects, which support wound healing and skin quality improvement.
Some degree of hydration is also achieved, mostly if used together with hyaluronic acid skin boosters.
PDRNs:
PDRNs share some regenerative properties with PN, but show a stronger positioning toward tissue repair and regenerative support.
They are widely used for damaged tissues, especially in diabetic vascular issues such as ulcers, dermatology and tissue regeneration.
They also help reduce wrinkles but are widely used for scars and after laser or surgical procedures.
The aesthetic effects on YOUR skin
This article is not intended to be a treatment selection guide. In aesthetic medicine, patients should not choose products directly as if selecting items from a menu.
The role of the physician is precisely to evaluate the skin condition, identify priorities and tailor the treatment plan accordingly.
But as a general indication:
- NT give metabolic support.
- PN are more associated with hydration, biostimulation and dermal quality improvement.
- PDRNs bring regeneration, repair and anti-inflammatory effects.
So, which one to choose?
To be honest with you: a patient cannot choose a product directly. To get the best and safest results, skin care and skin health are processes which must be guided through a proper and tailored medical consultation.
Without that, we could mistake one indication for another, with the risk of not achieving our goal.
My advice is – don’t ask for a product. Ask for a diagnosis, a plan and a doctor you trust. The product comes afterwards, while the real journey is building healthier skin together.
02.06.2026.
Dr. Walter Castorina
Aesthetic Physician and Laser Therapist
Specialist in Family Medicine
Lecturer in Anatomy
