Salmon DNA: The Skin Treatment That Sounds Weird But Works

I Wasn't Sure About This One...But Now I Am.

Okay, let’s talk about the treatment that made me look like a pufferfish for around 20 minutes….but….I’d do it again.

So I had Salmon DNA right after my Sculptra session (yes, all in one go) at my ride or die skin clinic - Kaya Skin Clinic in Dubai. And honestly, I felt like this treatment deserved its own newsletter. It’s one of those treatments that kind of confuses people and you wonder if it’s just hype.

So what actually is Salmon DNA?

Basically, it’s a skin-rejuvenating injectable treatment that uses purified DNA from salmon sperm (it's purified and processed for medical-grade use). It’s packed with amino acids and proteins that support collagen production, hydration, and overall skin repair. It’s meant to improve elasticity, fine lines, texture, and even hyperpigmentation. Think of it like a glow-from-within reboot for your skin.

Why did I pair it with Sculptra?

While Sculptra works on gradually rebuilding volume and collagen over weeks, Salmon DNA delivers a quicker glow boost…hydrating and plumping the skin surface while the Sculptra is doing its deep tissue magic. It’s a great combo if you’re looking at the long game and want to see some visible glow and bounce in the meantime.

The experience...it kind of hurt

I’m not gonna lie. I really wasn’t expecting it to hurt. I had numbing cream on from the earlier Sculptra session, but I think by the time we started with the Salmon DNA, it had fully worn off…but I’m not really sure. When she started injecting it into my cheeks…WOW. I was actually a bit surprised by how much it hurt. It was sharp and stingy, kind of like that random bee that attacked me at lunch last month. But weirdly, when she moved to the undereye area, it didn’t hurt at all. I’m still trying to figure out why my cheeks were painful yet the undereyes were fine.

And then…the puffiness

Afterwards, I was so puffy. I looked in the mirror and had this little internal panic moment because I didn’t recognise myself. My face just didn’t look like mine. But to be fair, within 15–20 minutes it calmed down massively. I still wouldn’t recommend doing it before a big event or anything, but the downtime is shorter than it immediately looks.

When do you see results?

You won’t walk out glowing like a glazed donut that exact day. It takes about 7-14 days to start seeing a difference. Most dermatologists recommend a series of 3-4 sessions, spaced about 2-4 weeks apart, to get the full effect. Then you can top up every 6 months depending on how your skin responds.

It’s great for:

• Dehydrated or dull skin

• Fine lines and early signs of ageing

• Uneven texture

• Skin that needs a bit of a wake up

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