PDRN Microneedling: Salmon DNA Evidence, Sterile Rules, Cost

Researched from PubMed studies, the FDA, Dermatology Times and each brand’s own product pages. We didn’t test these products ourselves. ProNeedling may earn a commission from links on this page. Last updated: November 2026.

PDRN microneedling means getting microneedling with a salmon DNA product applied during or right after the session. It’s the add-on clinics now sell next to PRP and exosomes. It’s also the ingredient people ask about most in microneedling groups, mostly with one question: which product is safe to needle with?

What is PDRN (salmon DNA)?

PDRN stands for polydeoxyribonucleotide. It’s a purified mix of small DNA fragments, usually taken from salmon trout or chum salmon sperm. That’s why you’ll see it sold as “salmon DNA” or, less politely, “salmon sperm facials.”

Why salmon? Its DNA is structurally close to ours, so the fragments work well with human cells. PDRN works by switching on a repair signal in the body called the A2A receptor. That calms inflammation and speeds up healing (Dermatology Times). Some newer products use plant or bacteria-made PDRN instead, so check the label if you avoid fish.

You’ll also see PN (polynucleotides). PN comes from the same salmon DNA but is processed differently. Rejuran is a PN product, not a PDRN serum. Clinics often blur the two names, so ask which one you’re getting.

Does PDRN microneedling work? What the studies show

It depends on how the PDRN gets into your skin. The studies split into three groups, and they’re not equal. Here’s each one, kept separate on purpose.

Swipe the table to see all columns →

Sources: Squadrito 2014, Lee 2022, Lampridou 2025, Vera 2025, Yogya 2022, Gulfan 2022, Bak 2025.

Injected PDRN and PN: the strongest evidence

Most of the good PDRN data comes from injections. The clearest result is in wound healing. In a 2014 trial of 216 people with diabetic foot ulcers, injected PDRN doubled the rate of full healing at 8 weeks. A 2026 review of 7 randomized trials found the same pattern. Wound healing showed the most consistent benefit, and most trials were small (Alhussain 2026).

For looks, the data is thinner. Much of it covers under-eye skin, the same area people treat with under-eye microneedling. One detail most clinic pages leave out: a 2014 Rejuran trial on crow’s feet, with 72 patients, was retracted in 2016. So don’t lean on it if you see it quoted.

PDRN with microneedling: small studies, positive signals

Only a handful of studies test PDRN with needling. The best match is a 2025 trial in 24 women. Microneedling plus 3% salmon PDRN cut wrinkle scores more than microneedling plus PRP. Dark spots improved about the same in both groups. There was no plain microneedling group, so we can’t say how much PDRN added on its own. None of the needling studies above tested acne scars either.

The RF microneedling studies are mixed. PN helped under-eye wrinkles improve faster. It did nothing extra for melasma. If melasma or hyperpigmentation is your main goal, PDRN isn’t the reason to book.

PDRN serums on their own: the weakest evidence

Your skin’s outer layer blocks most molecules bigger than about 500 daltons. PDRN fragments run from 50,000 to 1.5 million daltons. Dermatology Times concludes a regular PDRN serum mostly sits on the surface. Any glow likely comes from the other ingredients, like glycerin, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. That’s also why people pair PDRN with needling: the channels are the delivery route. Microinfusion kits sell the same idea.

So the honest ranking is simple. Injected beats needled. Needled beats a serum on intact skin. All three are still being studied in small groups.

Is PDRN FDA-approved? Rejuran, PDRN serums and the US rules

No PDRN or PN injectable is FDA-approved for cosmetic use in the US. Rejuran is the one people mean, so here’s where it stands.

• In Korea: PharmaResearch, the maker, calls Rejuran “a medical device for the temporary improvement of facial wrinkles” (PharmaResearch). Korean regulators approved the newer Rejuran HB Plus (Korea Biomedical Review). PharmaResearch also says Rejuran is approved as a medical device in the EU (PR Newswire).
• In the US: we found no FDA clearance or approval for a Rejuran injectable in the FDA’s device or drug databases. The only Rejuran products in the FDA drug listings are sunscreens.
• PDRN serums: these are cosmetics. US law doesn’t require cosmetics to get FDA approval before they’re sold (FDA). Nobody checks a serum’s PDRN claims before it hits the shelf.

There’s one more rule that matters for every add-on. The FDA says microneedling devices aren’t approved for delivering cosmetics, topical drugs, vitamin solutions or PRP into the skin (FDA). That covers PDRN, exosomes and PRP alike. Clinics still offer them. Just know you’re outside what the device was cleared for. FDA-cleared pens like SkinPen are cleared for the needling, not the serum.

Which PDRN products can you microneedle with?

Only a product labelled sterile and single-use should go on skin you’re needling. That’s what “sterile PDRN for microneedling” should mean. Every needle pass opens a channel. Whatever’s on your skin goes in with it, including bacteria from a bottle you’ve opened twenty times.

It’s the same rule as glide serums. A sealed glass vial or pre-filled syringe you open once is the format to look for. A pump bottle or dropper isn’t. We explain the full rule in our sterile vs non-sterile hyaluronic acid guide.

Here’s how the brands people ask about compare. We only listed what each brand or listing says. Where the brand doesn’t state a PDRN percentage, we left it blank rather than guess.

Swipe the table to see all columns →

Sources: PharmaResearch, BNC Global skin boosters, Hanheal on Amazon, Rejuran Turnover Ampoule, Medicube. Prices seen on live listings in November 2026 and change often.

What about Reglory and Exoxe? Both come up a lot. We couldn’t find a brand-run product page for either, only resellers. Resellers list Reglory as a small-vial PDRN product. They list Exoxe as an exosome booster, not a PDRN one. Until the brand publishes sterility and contents, treat both as unverified.

One label worth reading: the Rejuran Turnover Ampoule caution on its Amazon listing says to avoid using it on wounded areas. Freshly needled skin is a wound. That’s the brand telling you it’s an after-care product, not a glide.

PDRN serums to use after microneedling

A cosmetic PDRN serum is fine once your skin has closed. It won’t do what an injection does. It’s a light, hydrating serum with a trendy ingredient, and that’s how to judge it. Wait until the redness has settled. Our microneedling aftercare timeline shows which serums come back when.

1. Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum

Best for: budget daily use after healing | Type: cosmetic serum | Size: 30 ml | Price: around $19 on Amazon as of Nov 2026

This is the PDRN serum most people have heard of. It pairs salmon PDRN with peptides, niacinamide and adenosine. Medicube says to apply it morning and night on clean, dry skin. It has over 26,000 ratings on Amazon. If you avoid fish, there’s a vegan version made with rose PDRN instead.

Check Price on Amazon →

Fish-free option: Rose PDRN version on Amazon

2. Rejuran Turnover Ampoule

Best for: the Rejuran name without the injection | Type: cosmetic serum (c-PDRN) | Size: 30 ml | Price: around $52 on Amazon as of Nov 2026

This comes from PharmaResearch, the company behind Rejuran injections. It’s a cosmetic, not the injectable. The brand says to use 3 to 5 drops once or twice a day after cleansing. Its label caution says to avoid wounded skin, so keep it for once you’ve healed. You’re paying more for the name. We haven’t seen evidence it outperforms cheaper PDRN serums.

Check Price on Amazon →

Want more options for the first week? Our microneedling serums guide covers what to use day by day. For the first 24 hours, stick to plain hyaluronic acid.

How much does PDRN microneedling cost?

At a clinic, PDRN is an add-on fee on top of the needling. One Phoenix med spa publishes $225 for face microneedling and $350 with PDRN (Eclat Med Spa). Your city will vary, and so do tipping norms. For plain microneedling prices across the US, see our microneedling cost survey.

At home, price per face is the common complaint. Pro PDRN boosters come in small amounts: 5 ml for one Hanheal vial, 3 ml per Syniro syringe. People often say one syringe barely covers a face. Cosmetic serums are cheaper per use, but they’re not the same product. Compare price per treatment, not price per bottle.

Plan on a series either way. In the 2025 trial, patients had two sessions three weeks apart. Ask your provider how many sessions they recommend for your goal.

PDRN vs exosomes vs PRP for microneedling

All three are add-ons that aim to speed healing and boost results. They differ in where they come from and how much proof sits behind them.

• PDRN: salmon DNA fragments. Strongest evidence is for injected wound healing. Small, positive needling studies. Skip it if you’re allergic to fish, unless the label says plant-based.
• Exosomes: tiny particles from cells. Newer, with lots of marketing and early studies. Read our microneedling with exosomes guide for the regulatory catch.
• PRP: made from your own blood, so no fish allergy risk. It has been paired with microneedling for longer than the other two. See microneedling with PRP and PRF microneedling.

In the one head-to-head study, PDRN beat PRP on wrinkles and tied on dark spots. That was 24 women over 6 weeks. It’s a reason to be curious, not a verdict. Comparing injectable skin boosters instead? See our Profhilo guide. If you can’t decide, PRP has the deepest research. Our stem cell microneedling page covers the growth factor serums too.

At-home vs professional PDRN microneedling

For PDRN during needling, go professional. A provider can source sterile, single-use product and needles deeper with a medical pen. They can also handle a reaction if you have one. At home, the needling depth is shallow and sterile PDRN is hard to verify.

If you microneedle at home, keep it simple. Needle with a sterile HA glide at a safe depth from our microneedling depth guide. Then add a cosmetic PDRN serum once your skin has healed. That gets you most of what a serum can offer, without putting a multi-use bottle into open skin. New to it? Start with our at-home microneedling guide and our microneedling pen comparison.

Are you a practitioner offering PDRN? Clients should sign a consent that covers fish allergy and the product’s regulatory status. Our exosome and PDRN consent form is built for that. Check your state’s scope rules too, starting with can estheticians do microneedling.

Who should skip PDRN microneedling?

Skip PDRN if you’re allergic to fish, unless the product is plant or bacteria-derived. Korean clinics’ summaries of the Rejuran instructions for use list a fish DNA allergy, pregnancy and breastfeeding, minors, and infected or inflamed skin as reasons not to treat (Cellinique).

Microneedling itself has its own list. The FDA says it may not be suitable if you:

• Have an active skin infection, rash or cold sore outbreak
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Took isotretinoin (Accutane) in the past 6 months
• Have a bleeding disorder or take blood thinners
• Have a weak immune system, uncontrolled diabetes, keloid scars, eczema, psoriasis or an autoimmune disease
• Have darker skin, because of the risk of dark or light patches

Source: FDA on microneedling devices. Not a full list. Your provider should screen you.

Prep matters too; see how to prepare for microneedling. Darker skin doesn’t mean no. It means start shallow and work with someone experienced. Check your type on the Fitzpatrick scale. Breaking out right now? Read microneedling for acne before you book.

Aftercare after PDRN microneedling

Aftercare is the same as plain microneedling. PDRN doesn’t change the rules. Expect the same microneedling recovery timeline, including some light peeling.

• First 24 hours: no makeup, no actives. Plain HA only. See when to wash your face after microneedling.
• Days 1 to 4: gentle cleanser, a plain barrier moisturizer and mineral sunscreen.
• Days 5 to 7: cosmetic PDRN serums, peptides and growth factors can come back.
• Last: retinol and acids.

Small bumps the next day can be normal. Heat, spreading redness or pus aren’t. Call your provider. Our guides on breakouts after microneedling and why skin looks worse after microneedling help you tell the difference.

Frequently asked questions

ProNeedling is reader-supported and may earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. We haven’t tested these products ourselves; this page summarizes published studies and the brands’ own product information. This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to a qualified provider about your skin before starting any treatment.