Microneedling and polynucleotides are two of the most talked about skin treatments right now, and one of the questions we hear most often is whether you can have both. The short answer is yes, they work extremely well as part of the same treatment plan, but they are not the same thing and they are not usually delivered in a single appointment. Microneedling creates controlled micro-channels to trigger collagen production, while polynucleotides are injected into the skin to support repair and regeneration at a deeper level.

September is when we see this question most. After a summer of sun exposure, skin often looks dull, dehydrated and slightly more lined than it did in May, and autumn is the natural window to start a course of treatment before the party season. This guide explains what each treatment actually does, how they compare, and how to decide which one your skin needs first.

What Are Polynucleotides?

Polynucleotides are a regenerative injectable treatment made from purified DNA fragments. Rather than adding volume or sitting on the surface, they signal your own skin cells to repair themselves, improving quality, firmness and elasticity over time.

They are particularly well suited to areas where the skin is thin or fragile:

Face for overall skin quality, firmness and texture
Neck for an area that shows early ageing
Décolletage for smoothing and firming the chest
Eyes for the delicate under-eye area and fine lines

Because they work with your biology rather than against it, results build gradually across several weeks and tend to last well.

Polynucleotides Are Not Dermal Fillers

This is the most common misunderstanding. Fillers add volume and change shape. Polynucleotides do neither. They improve the quality of the skin itself, so you look better rested rather than visibly altered.

If you are new to injectable treatments generally, the NHS overview of what to ask before any injectable procedure ↗ is a sensible primer on the questions to put to any practitioner, even though polynucleotides are a different category of treatment.

What Microneedling Does Differently

Microneedling, or Collagen Induction Therapy, uses fine needles to create thousands of micro-channels in the skin. Your body reads these as tiny injuries and responds by producing fresh collagen and elastin.

That makes it the stronger choice for structural, textural problems:

Acne scarring, including ice pick, boxcar and rolling scars
Enlarged pores
Rough or uneven texture
Fine lines and early wrinkles
Pigmentation and sun damage

We cover the treatment in full in our guide to microneedling in Kingston upon Thames.

Microneedling vs Polynucleotides: The Straight Comparison

	Microneedling	Polynucleotides
How it works	Micro-channels trigger collagen production	Injected DNA fragments signal cellular repair
Main strength	Texture, scarring, pores	Skin quality, firmness, hydration, thin skin
Best for	Acne scars, rough texture, large pores	Under-eyes, crepey neck, dull fragile skin
Downtime	Redness for 12 to 48 hours, flaking for 2 to 4 days	Minor redness or small bumps, settles within a day
Results appear	From 3 to 4 weeks, building for months	Gradually across several weeks
Typical course	3 to 6 sessions	3 sessions
Suits sensitive skin	Yes, with adjusted needle depth	Yes, often the gentler option

Can You Have Microneedling and Polynucleotides Together?

Yes, and for many people the combination gives a better result than either alone. Microneedling rebuilds structure and smooths texture. Polynucleotides improve the quality and resilience of the skin that structure sits in. They address different problems, so there is no redundancy in doing both.

What matters is the spacing. These are usually delivered as separate appointments within one planned course rather than stacked into a single session, because each treatment needs the skin to be calm at the point of delivery, and combining freshly needled skin with an injectable in the same sitting increases irritation without improving the outcome.

Your practitioner will set the exact intervals at consultation based on your skin, your sensitivity and which concern is the priority.

A Typical Combined Course

The pattern above is illustrative rather than fixed. Some people need microneedling first to deal with scarring before skin quality work makes sense. Others, particularly those with thin under-eye skin or a crepey neck, start with polynucleotides and add microneedling later.

Which Should You Start With?

Your main concern	Start with
Acne scarring or pitted texture	Microneedling
Crepey, thin under-eye skin	Polynucleotides
Enlarged pores and rough texture	Microneedling
Dull, dehydrated, tired looking skin	Polynucleotides
Neck or décolletage ageing	Polynucleotides
Sun damage and pigmentation	Microneedling
Loss of firmness with good texture	Polynucleotides

If you are unsure, this is exactly what a consultation is for. We assess the skin properly before recommending anything, and it is common to leave with a plan that sequences both.

Where Other Treatments Fit

Neither treatment exists in isolation. Depending on your skin, we may also recommend:

Biorevitalisation for deep hydration and elasticity
Mesotherapy for targeted nutrient delivery
Chemical peels for pigmentation and resurfacing
Hydradermabrasion for congestion and a no downtime reset
Bespoke facials for maintenance between courses

Hormonal changes also influence how skin responds to treatment, which we cover in our guide to hormones and the skin.

Safety and Choosing a Practitioner

Polynucleotides are injected, which means the skill of the person holding the needle matters more than the product. Before booking anywhere, check that your practitioner is medically trained, insured, and working from a professional clinic rather than a living room.

You can check practitioners against a verified register at Save Face ↗, an independent accreditation body for non-surgical cosmetic treatments in the UK.

Neither treatment is suitable for everyone. Reasons to postpone or avoid include active infection or breakouts in the treatment area, eczema or psoriasis flare-ups, a history of keloid scarring, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and certain medical conditions or medications. All of this is covered at consultation.

Pricing

Treatment	Area	1 session	3 sessions
Microneedling	Face	£200	£480
Polynucleotides	Face	£180	£432
Polynucleotides	Eyes	£180	£432
Polynucleotides	Neck	£120	£288
Polynucleotides	Décolletage	£150	£360

Three session courses are 20% off. Full details are on our pricing page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can polynucleotides be applied with a microneedling device instead of injected?

At Lumiderm, polynucleotides are injected. Injection places the solution at a controlled depth where it can do its work, which is how the treatment is clinically intended to be delivered. Topical application over microneedled skin is a different proposition and will not give the same result.

Does it hurt?

Both are well tolerated. Microneedling feels like a rough vibration and numbing cream is used beforehand. Polynucleotide injections involve a very fine needle and most clients describe brief stinging rather than pain.

How long until I see a difference?

Expect early glow within a week or two from either treatment. Meaningful change in texture, firmness and fine lines shows from around four weeks and continues improving for several months as collagen builds.

How long do results last?

With a completed course, most people see benefit for six to twelve months. Maintenance sessions, or a bespoke facial between courses, extend that considerably.

Is there a best time of year to start?

Autumn and winter are ideal. Both treatments leave skin temporarily more sun sensitive, so lower UV levels make aftercare easier. Starting now means results are established well before Christmas.

Can I have these if I have sensitive skin or rosacea?

Often yes, but it depends on the current state of your skin. Polynucleotides are frequently the gentler starting point. A consultation is essential here rather than optional.

Book a Consultation in Kingston upon Thames

If you are weighing up microneedling, polynucleotides or both, the most useful next step is a proper skin assessment rather than guesswork.

Lumiderm Skin Clinic is based in Kingston upon Thames, serving Surbiton, Richmond, Wimbledon, New Malden, Teddington and Twickenham. Learn more about the clinic or get in touch.

Call or message 07845 253259 to book your free in clinic consultation.