Rejuran vs Nucleofill vs Plinest vs Vitaran: Which Polynucleotide Treatment Is Best in 2027?

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Polynucleotide injections have become one of the most discussed treatments for improving skin quality, particularly among patients looking for options that are different from traditional dermal fillers. Rejuran, Nucleofill, Plinest and Vitaran are among the names patients increasingly encounter when researching polynucleotide treatments in Dubai. Although they belong to the same broad treatment category, they should not be treated as interchangeable products—and there is currently no high-quality evidence showing that one brand is universally “best.”

Medically reviewed by Dr. Farshad Zadeh, MD – Medical Director & Aesthetic Medicine Expert

Last medically reviewed: September 24, 2026

Key points

Polynucleotides (PNs) are purified chains of nucleotides, the building blocks of DNA. Injectable formulations used in aesthetic medicine are commonly derived from highly purified fish DNA.

Rejuran, Nucleofill, Plinest and Vitaran are different commercial product families. Their formulations, concentrations, intended treatment areas, regulatory classifications and supporting evidence can differ.

Current research suggests that injectable polynucleotides may have a role in improving certain measures of skin quality, including texture, hydration, elasticity and the appearance of fine lines. However, the overall evidence remains limited. A systematic review identified only nine eligible studies involving 219 patients and judged the evidence to be of low to moderate quality.

More recent randomized evidence remains relatively small. A 2026 systematic review identified seven randomized trials involving 183 participants across skin rejuvenation, scar prevention and wound healing, with substantial differences between formulations and protocols.

For patients in Dubai, the exact product being used, its UAE regulatory status, intended use and the clinician's assessment are more important than simply choosing the most popular brand.

What are polynucleotides?

Polynucleotides are chains composed of nucleotides—the molecular units from which DNA is constructed.

In aesthetic medicine, injectable PN products are generally discussed as skin-quality treatments rather than traditional volumising fillers. They are therefore not direct substitutes for hyaluronic-acid dermal fillers when the objective is to restore substantial volume or reshape facial contours.

You may also see the term PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) when researching these treatments. PN and PDRN are related DNA-derived materials, but the terminology should not automatically be treated as interchangeable.

Published literature describes PN as relatively high-molecular-weight DNA chains, while PDRN generally consists of smaller DNA fragments. Differences in molecular weight, concentration, purification, formulation and rheological properties may influence how an individual product behaves.

This is one reason why comparing products by the word “polynucleotide” alone can be misleading.

What does the science say about polynucleotides for skin?

Interest in polynucleotide injections has grown considerably, but clinical use has developed faster than the evidence base.

A 2025 systematic review in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology evaluated studies published from 2010 through early 2024. Only nine studies involving 219 patients met the inclusion criteria. Several reported improvements in wrinkles, texture or elasticity, but the researchers classified the available evidence as low to moderate quality and highlighted substantial variation in treatment techniques.

A newer systematic review, searching randomized trials through January 2026, found seven randomized trials and 183 participants across skin rejuvenation, postoperative scars and wound healing. Results were encouraging in several measured outcomes, but the authors again emphasized small sample sizes, heterogeneous formulations and protocols, and the need for larger trials.

This distinction matters.

There is reasonable scientific interest in the PN/PDRN category. There is not yet enough comparative evidence to establish a definitive hierarchy such as Rejuran, Plinest, Nucleofill and Vitaran.

That would go beyond what current research can support.

Rejuran

Rejuran originated in South Korea and is one of the best-known names associated with injectable polynucleotides.

Published literature on Korean aesthetic practice describes Rejuran as an injectable PN product and reports considerable clinical familiarity with the product among Korean dermatologists.

Rejuran is actually a product family, so patients should establish which formulation is being proposed rather than assuming every treatment described as “Rejuran” is identical.

Why patients consider Rejuran

It is generally discussed in aesthetic practice for skin-quality concerns such as fine lines, texture and areas where conventional volumising filler may not be the primary objective.

The periocular region is one area where polynucleotide treatments have attracted particular interest because treating thin under-eye skin with traditional fillers is not appropriate for every patient.

However, whether Rejuran—or any PN injectable—is appropriate around the eyes requires an individual anatomical assessment.

Evidence perspective

Rejuran has the advantage of substantial clinical familiarity in South Korea, but popularity and length of market presence are not the same as proof of superiority.

There is no robust head-to-head evidence demonstrating that Rejuran produces better overall outcomes than Nucleofill, Plinest or Vitaran.

Nucleofill

Nucleofill is another widely recognized name within the polynucleotide category and is available in different formulations intended for different treatment approaches.

That distinction is important: “Nucleofill” is not one universal injectable.

When comparing Nucleofill with Rejuran or another PN treatment, patients should ask which exact formulation is being proposed, what it contains, its intended use and why that formulation was selected.

Nucleofill vs Rejuran

Online comparisons frequently describe one product as “stronger,” “deeper” or better for a particular age group.

These claims should be interpreted cautiously unless they are supported by direct comparative clinical trials.

A clinician should select a product according to factors such as skin characteristics, treatment area, medical history, intended outcome and the product's current regulatory status—not simply according to which brand is trending online.

Plinest

Plinest is associated with Italian manufacturer Mastelli and PN-HPT technology. Plinest/Newest formulations also appear within published scientific literature on injectable polynucleotides.

Among the four names discussed here, the wider PN-HPT literature is useful because it provides human clinical information rather than relying solely on theoretical mechanisms.

However, this does not mean every study involving PN-HPT can automatically be applied to every Plinest formulation or every patient.

Plinest vs Rejuran

The most obvious difference is their product lineage: Rejuran is strongly associated with the Korean aesthetic market, while Plinest comes from an Italian PN platform.

From an evidence-based perspective, however, country of origin is not a reason to declare one better.

A useful comparison should instead consider:

exact formulation and concentration;
intended anatomical area;
regulatory status in the country where treatment is performed;
published human evidence for that formulation;
patient's skin characteristics and treatment objective.

Vitaran

Vitaran is another polynucleotide brand that has become increasingly visible within aesthetic medicine.

As with the other products in this comparison, marketing visibility should not be confused with comparative clinical evidence.

Patients considering Vitaran in Dubai should ask the clinic to identify the exact product and formulation, explain why it has been selected, and clarify its current UAE regulatory status and intended use.

There is currently insufficient high-quality head-to-head research to conclude that Vitaran is clinically superior or inferior to Rejuran, Nucleofill or Plinest across patients.

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Rejuran vs Nucleofill vs Plinest vs Vitaran: comparison

	Rejuran	Nucleofill	Plinest	Vitaran
Product category	Polynucleotide injectable family	Polynucleotide-based product family	PN/PN-HPT product family	Polynucleotide product family
Market association	South Korea	Europe/Italy	Italy	European aesthetic market
Multiple formulations	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Intended mainly as a volumising dermal filler?	No	No	No	No
Published human PN evidence relevant to category	Yes	Yes/category evidence	Yes, including PN-HPT literature	Category evidence exists
Proven superior to the other three?	No	No	No	No
Selection should be individualized?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

The key point is that brand-versus-brand marketing comparisons are currently more confident than the scientific literature allows.

So which polynucleotide treatment is best in 2027?

There is no scientifically defensible single winner.

The better question is:

Which properly regulated product and formulation is appropriate for this patient, this treatment area and this clinical objective?

For one patient, the clinician may consider a particular formulation appropriate for delicate facial skin. Another patient may have different concerns—or may not be a suitable candidate for a polynucleotide injection at all.

This is particularly important because PN treatment is not a replacement for every other aesthetic procedure.

For example, someone primarily concerned about dynamic expression lines may need an entirely different treatment discussion. Significant facial volume loss is also fundamentally different from a skin-quality concern. Pigmentation, acne scarring, laxity and vascular changes may each require different approaches.

A consultation should therefore begin with the problem being treated, not the product name.

Polynucleotides vs skin boosters and dermal fillers

The terminology used online can become confusing because polynucleotides are sometimes described as “skin boosters.”

They should nevertheless be distinguished from injectable hyaluronic-acid products designed specifically to influence skin hydration and from dermal fillers designed to provide structural volume or contour.

There can be overlap in the cosmetic concerns patients hope to address, but the products are not identical.

This is why choosing between polynucleotides vs Profhilo, for example, requires a different discussion from choosing between Rejuran vs Plinest.

How long do polynucleotide results last?

This is one of the most common questions—and one where websites often give overly precise answers.

There is currently insufficient standardized, high-quality comparative evidence to promise that one PN brand will last a particular number of months or that one will reliably last longer than another.

Published studies vary in formulation, injection technique, number of sessions, anatomical area, follow-up period and outcome measurement.

Individual response may also vary.

For this reason, treatment schedules and expectations should be discussed during consultation rather than derived from a generic online protocol.

Are there risks or side effects?

Polynucleotide injections are still injectable medical procedures.

Reported reactions in aesthetic studies have generally included temporary injection-site effects, but the relatively small size of the evidence base limits our ability to characterize uncommon complications with the same confidence available for treatments backed by much larger datasets. The 2025 systematic review specifically called for more rigorous research to establish both effectiveness and safety.

Possible considerations around any injectable treatment can include pain or tenderness, swelling, redness, bruising, inflammatory reactions, infection and other injection-related complications.

A patient's allergies, medical conditions, medications, previous aesthetic procedures, pregnancy or breastfeeding status, active skin conditions and treatment area may all be relevant to clinical decision-making.

Because many PN products originate from fish-derived DNA, relevant allergy history should also be discussed with the treating clinician rather than self-assessed.

Polynucleotide treatments in Dubai: why regulatory status matters

A product being available internationally does not automatically establish its regulatory status in the UAE.

The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) regulates medical products nationally and determines product classification and requirements for marketing authorization.

For that reason, EDEN AESTHETICS does not recommend choosing an injectable simply because it is popular in Korea, Europe, the UK or on social media.

Patients considering Rejuran, Nucleofill, Plinest, Vitaran or another polynucleotide treatment in Dubai should confirm the exact product being proposed, its current UAE status and whether its intended use is consistent with that status.

Product registrations and permitted indications can change, so these should be verified at the time treatment is considered.

What should happen during a consultation?

A good consultation should involve considerably more than choosing between four brand names.

The clinician may review your medical history, current medications, allergies, previous injectable or energy-based treatments, skin condition, treatment area and expectations.

The consultation should also distinguish what you would like to change.

Are you concerned about fine lines? Texture? Hydration? Under-eye skin? Acne scarring? Pigmentation? Volume loss? Facial laxity?

Those are not interchangeable problems.

The clinician should then explain why a particular treatment is—or is not—being considered, reasonable alternatives, limitations of the available evidence, relevant risks and expected follow-up.

Questions to ask before choosing a polynucleotide treatment

Ask your provider:

What is the exact product and formulation you are recommending?
Why is it appropriate for my particular skin concern?
What is its current regulatory status in the UAE?
What human clinical evidence supports its intended use?
Are there alternatives that have stronger evidence for my concern?
What are the possible risks and complications?
Is there anything in my medical history that makes treatment inappropriate?
What results are realistic—and what will this treatment not change?
Who will perform the injection and what are their qualifications?
What follow-up is available if I develop an unexpected reaction?

Frequently asked questions

Is Rejuran better than Nucleofill?

Current evidence does not establish Rejuran as universally better than Nucleofill, or vice versa. They are different product families, and an appropriate comparison requires the exact formulations and intended use.

Is Plinest better than Rejuran?

There is not enough high-quality direct comparative research to make that conclusion. Plinest/PN-HPT has published clinical literature, while Rejuran has extensive clinical use particularly in South Korea, but these facts do not establish superiority.

Which polynucleotide is best for under-eyes?

There is no single product demonstrated by robust comparative trials to be the best under-eye polynucleotide for every patient. The periocular area requires careful anatomical assessment, and not every patient is suitable for injectable treatment there.

Are polynucleotides the same as salmon sperm injections?

That popular phrase is an oversimplification. Medical/aesthetic PN products contain processed and purified DNA-derived polynucleotide material, commonly originating from salmonid fish. They should be discussed according to their actual formulation rather than social-media terminology.

Are polynucleotides fillers?

Not in the conventional sense. Polynucleotide products are generally used with a different treatment objective from traditional volumising hyaluronic-acid dermal fillers.

Are polynucleotides the same as exosomes?

No. Polynucleotides are DNA-derived nucleotide chains. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles released by cells and represent a fundamentally different biological category.

How many sessions will I need?

There is no single evidence-based schedule appropriate to every PN formulation and every patient. Protocols vary between products and clinical circumstances. Your clinician should determine whether treatment is appropriate and explain the proposed treatment plan.

Can polynucleotides replace Botox?

No. Botulinum toxin and polynucleotides work in fundamentally different ways and are considered for different aesthetic concerns.

Can polynucleotides replace dermal fillers?

They should not be viewed as a direct substitute when the primary goal is structural volume replacement or facial contouring.

Which brand lasts the longest?

Current comparative evidence does not reliably establish Rejuran, Nucleofill, Plinest or Vitaran as the longest-lasting option.

The bottom line

Rejuran, Nucleofill, Plinest and Vitaran have helped make polynucleotides one of the most talked-about categories in aesthetic medicine, including in Dubai. But popularity has moved faster than comparative science.

The available human research suggests that polynucleotides deserve continued clinical investigation for skin-quality applications. At the same time, systematic reviews repeatedly highlight small study populations, heterogeneous protocols and a lack of robust head-to-head trials.

So, which is best in 2027?

There isn't a scientifically established overall winner. The most appropriate choice depends on the exact formulation, treatment area, patient characteristics, intended outcome, quality of supporting evidence and current UAE regulatory status.

That is a less dramatic answer than declaring one brand the winner—but it is the answer the evidence currently supports.

References

Lampridou S, Bassett S, Cavallini M, Christopoulos G. The Effectiveness of Polynucleotides in Esthetic Medicine: A Systematic Review. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. Published online December 2024; Volume 24, Issue 2, e16721.
Polynucleotides and Polydeoxyribonucleotides for Skin Rejuvenation, Postoperative Scar Prevention, and Wound Healing: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials. Systematic review of seven randomized trials, literature searched through January 2026.
Rho NK et al. A survey on the cosmetic use of injectable polynucleotide: The pattern of practice among Korean Dermatologists. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
Emirates Drug Establishment. Classification of a Medical Product.
UAE Government. Health Regulatory Authorities – Emirates Drug Establishment and Dubai Health Authority.

This article is intended for general educational purposes and does not replace an individual medical consultation. Product availability, registration, and approved indications differ between countries and may change. In the UAE, patients should confirm the current regulatory status of a product and seek assessment from an appropriately licensed healthcare professional before treatment.

Considering a polynucleotide treatment in Dubai? A consultation at EDEN AESTHETICS can help determine whether a polynucleotide treatment, or another approach, is appropriate for your individual skin concerns and medical history.