Hair loss is a deeply personal concern that affects both men and women, often shaking one’s confidence and sense of control. While PRP and exosomes are widely known, a rising star is polynucleotides hair loss treatment. This regenerative solution is earning its place as a go-to option for medical aestheticians and a gentler alternative for patients looking for science-backed results.
Polynucleotides represent an exciting frontier in the field of regenerative aesthetics, particularly for treating hair loss. They strike the perfect balance between gentle care and advanced science, making them suitable for a wide variety of clients, including those with sensitive scalps, inflammation-related hair loss, or who prefer to avoid blood-based treatments.
Let’s take a closer look at what polynucleotides hair loss treatments offer, how they work, who they're best for, and why they may be the missing link in your hair rejuvenation protocol.
What Are Polynucleotides?
Polynucleotides are biopolymers derived from purified DNA fragments, often sourced from salmon or trout sperm. While that might sound unconventional, these natural molecules are incredibly powerful. They stimulate tissue regeneration, improve microcirculation, and reduce oxidative stress, making them perfect for restoring both skin and scalp health.
In the context of hair loss treatment, polynucleotides work at the cellular level to encourage healthier, more active hair follicles and reduce inflammation that can hinder hair growth.
How Polynucleotides Work on the Scalp
When administered into the scalp, polynucleotides set off a cascade of regenerative activity. Here’s what’s happening under the surface:
- Hair Follicle Stimulation: They activate dormant or sluggish follicles, extending the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle.
- Vascularization Support: By boosting local blood flow, they ensure the follicles get the oxygen and nutrients they need to thrive.
- Inflammation Reduction: Chronic inflammation is a major contributor to hair thinning, especially in cases like postpartum hair loss, androgenic hair loss, or autoimmune conditions such as blood lupus hair loss. Polynucleotides calm the scalp and create a better environment for growth.
This trifecta makes polynucleotides especially helpful for women dealing with hormonal or stress-related hair loss and men facing early-stage thinning.
The Treatment Process: What to Expect
Polynucleotides can be delivered via microinjections or microneedling. Your choice often depends on your comfort level, skin sensitivity, and whether you're combining it with other treatments. Microneedling for hair loss and PRP for hair loss are among the most popular options among patients today.
A typical protocol involves 3–6 sessions spaced about 2–3 weeks apart. The procedure itself is relatively comfortable and minimally invasive, especially when compared to blood-based treatments like PRP.
There’s no downtime; just a bit of redness or tingling that subsides quickly. Over the next few weeks, patients notice improved scalp hydration, reduced shedding, and stronger hair shafts.
Gradual, Natural-Looking Results
One of the most appealing aspects of polynucleotides hair loss treatment is its gradual, natural-looking transformation. Unlike hair transplants or thickening sprays that give instant but artificial results, polynucleotides work in harmony with your body.
Expect to see improvements in:
- Hair density and fullness
- Hair strand thickness
- Scalp health and hydration
- Less shedding and breakage
These results build up session by session, which is why a maintenance plan is key.
Who Are Ideal Candidates?
This treatment is a strong choice for:
- Early-stage hair thinning (both male pattern hair loss and hair loss in women)
- Postpartum or post-partum hair loss recovery
- Sensitive scalps that don’t tolerate PRP well
- Patients with needle anxiety or who prefer non-blood-based solutions
- Chronic inflammation-related hair loss, like PCOS hair loss or thyroid hair loss
It's also ideal for aestheticians looking to expand their toolkit with something gentle yet effective. Those interested in learning more are welcome to explore our aesthetics courses to upskill in advanced hair restoration.
Why Choose Polynucleotides Over PRP or Exosomes?
- Each treatment has its strengths. But polynucleotides have unique advantages in certain situations:
- No blood draw: Unlike PRP, there's no need to extract and spin the patient's blood.
- Gentle and biocompatible: Ideal for clients who experience inflammation or irritation with exosomes for hair loss or other aggressive treatments.
- Easy to combine: Polynucleotides work well in tandem with PRP, microneedling, or even mesotherapy, enhancing overall efficacy.
For professionals looking to expand their offering, the hair loss training masterclass is a great way to learn how to tailor these modalities based on scalp condition and patient needs.
Safety and Side Effects
The treatment is non-immunogenic, meaning the risk of allergic reactions is extremely low. In fact, for patients who cannot tolerate platelet-rich plasma (due to issues with blood draws or platelet dysfunction) or for those who react poorly to synthetic growth factors, polynucleotides offer a gentler alternative.
That said, minor and temporary side effects may still occur, as with any injectable or microneedling procedure. These include:
- Mild redness and swelling at the injection site
- Temporary sensitivity or tenderness
- Slight itching or tightness of the scalp
These reactions typically resolve within 24 to 48 hours. Following proper post-procedure care, such as avoiding sun exposure, heavy sweating, or harsh scalp products for the first 24 hours, can help minimize any discomfort and protect the results. Overall, polynucleotides are a low-risk solution for both male and female patients.
Managing Expectations and Maintenance
One of the most important conversations aestheticians should have with their patients is about realistic expectations. While polynucleotides deliver measurable improvements in hair density and scalp health, they do so gradually and subtly, perfect for those seeking natural-looking results rather than dramatic overnight transformations.
Patients typically begin to notice a difference after the second or third session. Improvements may include:
- Less hair shedding during brushing or washing
- Smoother, healthier-feeling scalp
- Thickening of individual hair strands
- Fuller appearance overall
To maintain progress, a personalized aftercare and maintenance plan is essential. This might include:
- Maintenance sessions every 3–6 months
- Topical support like shampoo for hair loss or nutrient-rich serums
- Lifestyle changes, such as stress reduction techniques (since stress can cause hair loss) and adequate nutritional intake
- Supplementation with vitamins for hair loss, especially if deficiencies are a factor (i.e., iron, biotin, or vitamin D)
- Addressing hormonal or metabolic causes like thyroid hair loss or PCOS-related hair loss
This holistic approach not only supports scalp health but also helps patients feel empowered and proactive about their hair restoration journey.
Final Thoughts
For medical aestheticians, this treatment is more than just another tool: it’s an opportunity to offer personalized, science-backed care that taps into the body's natural healing mechanisms. Whether you’re treating postpartum hair loss, early-stage male pattern hair loss, or supporting patients recovering from stress-induced shedding, polynucleotides can elevate your hair restoration protocol with minimal risk and high patient satisfaction.
Want to learn how to incorporate polynucleotides into your clinic or practice? Our comprehensive aesthetics courses and hair loss training masterclass are designed to help you confidently combine treatments like PRP, microneedling, and exosomes with polynucleotides for optimal results.
FAQ
Is there anything that really works for female hair loss?
Yes, treatments like polynucleotides, PRP, and topical minoxidil have all shown positive results, especially when customized for hormonal causes.
Can hair grow back after thinning?
In many cases, yes, especially if you catch it early. Treatments that improve scalp health and circulation, like polynucleotides, can reactivate dormant follicles.
What are the benefits of polynucleotides?
They hydrate the scalp, stimulate hair growth, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation—all without drawing blood or causing irritation.
What is the number 1 thing for hair growth?
Consistency. Whether it’s PRP, red light therapy for hair loss, or polynucleotides—results come from regular care, supportive products, and addressing root causes.
Does Ozempic cause hair loss?
While not officially listed as a side effect, some patients on GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic have reported increased shedding, potentially due to rapid weight loss or nutritional changes.
Sources
1. Cruciani M, Masiello F, Pati I, Marano G, Pupella S, De Angelis V. Platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of alopecia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Blood Transfus. 2023;21(1):24-36. doi:10.2450/2021.0216-21 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9918380/
2. Gentile P, Scioli MG, Bielli A, et al. Platelet-Rich Plasma and Micrografts Enriched with Autologous Human Follicle Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improve Hair Re-Growth in Androgenetic Alopecia. Biomolecular Pathway Analysis and Clinical Evaluation. Biomedicines. 2019;7(2):27. Published 2019 Apr 8. doi:10.3390/biomedicines7020027 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6631937/
3. Gentile P, Cole JP, Cole MA, et al. Evaluation of Not-Activated and Activated PRP in Hair Loss Treatment: Role of Growth Factor and Cytokine Concentrations Obtained by Different Collection Systems. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(2):408. Published 2017 Feb 14. doi:10.3390/ijms18020408 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5343942/