"I heard Rejuran is salmon DNA — so if I have a salmon allergy, can I not get it?"
"Aren't Rejuran and water glow the same thing? They're both injections."
This is the first point where people looking into Rejuran get confused.
Hello, I'm Director Kwon Si-jin at DA Clinic Myeongdong ^^
We're set to open in Myeongdong soon, and since so many people are curious about Rejuran, I wanted to lay it out first as a matter of information ahead of our opening.
The common phrase 'salmon DNA' is itself a misunderstanding, and it even leads to worries about a salmon allergy.Let me tell you why, plainly.
Rejuran isn't a treatment that 'fills water or builds volume'; it's closer to one that 'supports the skin's environment for regeneration.' It won't take long — take away just one standard and that's enough.
Rejuran Is Not 'Salmon DNA with the Protein Removed'
Rejuran's core ingredient is a substance called PN, polynucleotide.
Because this is commonly called 'salmon DNA,' misunderstandings arise — but to be precise, it's made by purifying solely the DNA component from salmon milt.
A question that comes up a lot here is, "So isn't it dangerous if I have a salmon allergy?" Because the purification process filters out components like the proteins that trigger allergies, you can think of it as a separate matter from a salmon allergy. (Still, if you're worried about a history of allergies, please be sure to mention it during your consultation.)
To put it simply, it's not that something is extracted whole from salmon and used — rather, only the needed component is selected and filtered out, which makes it easy to understand ㅎㅎ
You Say It's the Same as 'PDRN'? Actually, It's Different
When you search for Rejuran, it's often introduced bundled together with the term 'PDRN.'
But PN and PDRN are separate ingredients, differing by a single letter.
Both are indeed DNA-derived, but PN is the one with the longer chain.Their MFDS classifications differ too: Rejuran (PN) is classified as a tissue-repair biomaterial (medical device), while PDRN falls under wound-healing drugs.
So if you think of 'PDRN cream' or 'PDRN injection' as the same thing as Rejuran and compare them, what you expect may not line up.
It's an easy spot to get confused because the names are similar, so it's good to confirm what the ingredient is before the procedure.
Rejuran Is 'Regeneration' — Its Purpose Differs from Water Glow and Filler
Even though injecting into the dermis with a needle looks similar, what it's injected for is different.
This is the part people get most confused about, so let me point it out separately.
Water glow injection fills "hydration" with hyaluronic acid, while filler or Juvelook creates "volume" in hollow areas or stimulates collagen.
Rejuran (PN), on the other hand, is known for supporting a "regenerative environment" so the skin can recover its own condition.Rather than instantly filling a parched feeling or pulling up contours, think of it as firming up the skin's foundation.
That's why we recommend you first look at "whether my skin urgently needs hydration, volume, or overall recovery right now." Even with the same injection, the answer differs. (it can differ from person to person)
Healer, HB, I, S — the Types Are Divided by 'Area and Purpose'
Not all Rejuran is the same; there are a few types.No need to memorize them — it becomes simple if you look at "where, and for what."
- Rejuran Healer is the most basic form, a product focused on regeneration.
- Rejuran HB adds hyaluronic acid (a hydrating ingredient) to the Healer, so it's considered for dry skin that wants hydration along with regeneration.
- Rejuran I (Eye) is a soft formulation tailored to the thin skin around the eyes, the type to consider when fine lines around the eyes are your concern.
- Rejuran S (Skin) is a formulation made to stay longer at scar sites, used for concerns like acne scars.
These types are divided not as a matter of better or worse, but to choose according to area and concern.So rather than deciding on a product name first, the proper order is to pinpoint what your concern is through an assessment.(it can differ from person to person)
Honestly, It's Not a Procedure That Transforms You in One Go
When you look in the mirror after one Rejuran session, you might think, "Huh, it didn't change as much as I expected?"
To be honest, Rejuran isn't a procedure that changes dramatically in a single shot — it's a maintenance-type procedure where you usually receive it in several sessions at 2–4 week intervals, building up the skin texture bit by bit.
And since it's an injection-based procedure, small marks, bruising, or swelling can occur at the injection sites. These usually subside within a few days, but if you have an important event, it's safer to receive it with about a week to spare.
Picture moistening soil at regular intervals to revive it, rather than dumping all the water on a field at once, and it'll click. It's a procedure you have to view as a process over several sessions, rather than a single change.(it can differ from person to person)
How the day itself goes
- Anaesthetic creamleft on for around 20 to 30 minutes depending on the area. Skipping this makes a large difference to the pain
- Injectionplaced into the dermis across multiple passes
- Calmingthe stage that settles redness and swelling
Because the needle enters repeatedly, the stinging recurs.Thinner areas such as around the eyes tend to register more.
And it's most accurate to judge it a month after finishing a course. Right after a single session, what's mainly visible is injection marks and swelling — not the point to judge from.
The booster families on one page
There are a lot of names and it gets confusing, but dividing them by what they target makes it simple.
- Hydrationhyaluronic acid based. This is where skin boosters sit
- Repairthe PN family. Rejuran is placed here. Mentioned for thin areas such as around the eyes and fine lines
- Collagen-building and volumethe PDLLA family. Juvelook is placed here. Mentioned for areas that need volume, such as the nasolabial folds and forehead
- Your own blood componentsthe PRP family
This is why "which one is best?" is hard to answer as a question.What each one targets is different.
For reference, the PDLLA family is described as not being recommended for very thin areas such as under the eyes or the eyelids, because of the risk of nodules.Even within thin areas, what gets used differs.
So asking "is my concern hydration, repair, or volume?" before the brand names makes the conversation move far faster.
How it goes in also shapes the result
Even with the same product, the method of injection changes both the result and the recovery.
For covering a broad area evenly, a device that holds a consistent depth and spacing has the advantage; for delicate areas such as around the eyes, adjusting by hand is said to be better.That's why dividing the work between device and hand comes up. At our Myeongdong clinic we have DermaShine Pro as our automated injection device.
And depth matters.Too shallow and the marks linger; too deep and it passes the layer it was meant for.Same product, same number of sessions, different result — this is usually where it splits.
With injectable treatments, the process of calming things down affects the result as much as what goes in.That's why we've also equipped recovery and aftercare devices such as LDM-MED and Sonoel.Leaving a stimulated area to itself, versus following it with a calming stage, changes the condition you arrive in for the next session.
How the days after the treatment run
- Day 1 to 2raised marks can remain at the injection sites, generally described as settling within a day or two
- 2 to 3 daysredness fades
- 1 to 2 weeksif bruising formed, it tends to clear around now
On a day when the whole face has been covered closely, redness can run a little longer, so it's more comfortable to avoid the run-up to an important date.
During recovery, attend to sun protection and moisturising, and it's safer to postpone anything that adds a lot of heat, such as saunas, for a few days.
That said, if something still feels firm after two weeks, if redness runs severe, or if pain steadily worsens, it's safer to have it checked where you had the treatment.
- It is closer to supporting the environment for repair
- "Salmon DNA" is a phrase that invites misunderstanding
- It needs to be seen across several sessions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do you see results right away after Rejuran?
A. Rejuran is less a procedure where your appearance suddenly transforms, and more one known for supporting the skin's regenerative environment. So rather than expecting a dramatic change in one go, you should view it as a process where you receive it in several sessions at 2–4 week intervals, building up the skin texture bit by bit. Many people receive it intensively at spaced intervals for the first few sessions, then continue the cycle while watching their condition. That said, the number of sessions and intervals needed vary with your skin condition and the type, so rather than fixing on "how many" in advance, it's more fitting to adjust while watching the response.
Q. What's the difference between Rejuran and water glow injection?
A. Rejuran and water glow injection may look like the same injection, but they differ in purpose.Water glow injection fills the skin with "hydration" using hyaluronic acid, while Rejuran is the kind that supports a "regenerative environment" with its PN ingredient so the skin recovers on its own.To put it simply, water glow is like watering dry soil, while Rejuran is closer to firming up the soil itself to revive the foundation.So if your foremost concern is deep dryness, you'd look at water glow, and if your concern is overall condition recovery, you'd look at Rejuran — the direction splits that way.The two aren't competitors but procedures with different roles depending on your concern.
Q. I heard Rejuran is salmon DNA — is it okay even if I have a salmon allergy?
A. Rejuran's PN ingredient is made by purifying solely the DNA component from salmon milt, and the purification process filters out components like the proteins that trigger allergies. So you can think of it as a separate matter from the worry that "you can't get it if you have a salmon allergy." It's also said to be 'salmon DNA with the protein removed,' but to be precise, you should understand it as only the needed DNA component being selected and purified. That said, if you're worried about a history of allergies or a particular constitution, please be sure to mention it during your consultation before the procedure.That's how we can set a safe direction.
Judge after one full round
There's just one thing to remember.
Myeongdong Rejuran — it supports the 'skin's regenerative environment' rather than hydration or volume, and you should view it across several sessions rather than one.
I hope the doubt you started with has eased a little.
If parched, deep dryness is your foremost concern, look at water glow first; if lost volume is your concern, look at filler or Juvelook; and if overall condition recovery is your concern, look at Rejuran first.
That said, if deep sagging or contour is your concern, a method other than Rejuran may be a better fit.In that case, it's right to set the direction together during an assessment.
DA Clinic Myeongdong is set to open soon.We'll share opening news and clinic information first on our blog and Instagram ^^
Thank you for reading to the end.This has been Director Kwon Si-jin at DA Clinic Myeongdong.
This column is an informational article intended to provide general medical information; the effects and side effects of any procedure may vary by individual. DA Clinic Myeongdong is set to open soon. (Medical Service Act Art. 56)