How long do polynucleotides take to work under the eyes?
Most people notice their skin looking better hydrated within two to four weeks of the first session, with the fuller effect developing over roughly six to twelve weeks as a course is completed. Polynucleotides work by prompting your skin to repair itself, so the change builds gradually rather than appearing straight away. That is the opposite of filler, which you see immediately.
The biggest reason people feel disappointed after this treatment is that they expect it to behave like filler - It does not!
Filler works by adding volume. You see the change before you leave the clinic.
Polynucleotides work differently. They do not add volume. They support the skin’s repair process and help stimulate the cells involved in collagen and elastin production.
That takes time.
The change is gradual. Most patients do not wake up one morning and suddenly see a dramatic difference. More often, they notice the under-eye skin looks fresher in a photograph, or that make-up sits more smoothly.
That is the type of result this treatment is designed for.
Timings above are Skinfinity's own published guidance. See what are polynucleotides for how the treatment works.
If you are still deciding whether this is the right treatment for you, start with polynucleotides vs tear trough filler. This guide is for people who want to know what happens after booking.
Are little bumps under the eyes normal after polynucleotides?
Small raised blebs where the product was placed are expected and usually settle within a few hours to a day or two. Mild swelling, pinprick marks and occasional bruising are also common in this area. Anything that worsens, becomes painful, or changes skin colour should be reported to your clinic straight away.
Yes. Small bumps are expected…here is what usually happens.
Day 0, the day of treatment.
You may have small bumps under each eye where the product sits. You may also see tiny pinprick marks. Some patients look a little puffy, or as if they have been crying.
This usually settles within a few hours. For some people, it can take a day or two.
I would not book this treatment at lunchtime and go straight back to a client meeting.
Days 1 to 2.
The bumps have usually gone, or are nearly gone. You may still have some puffiness. A small bruise can happen too. The skin under the eye is thin and bruises easily, so a bruise does not always mean something has gone wrong.
Concealer is usually fine from 24 hours, as long as the skin is clean and settled.
Week 1.
You should look normal again. You may not look better yet.
This is the point where some people decide the treatment has not worked.
In most cases, it is too early to judge.
Weeks 2 to 3.
This is when many patients have their second session. The area often reacts less the second time. Around this stage, the skin may start to feel better hydrated.
Weeks 4 to 6.
The change becomes easier to see. The under-eye skin may look fresher, smoother and less crepey.
This is usually when patients start to understand why the treatment takes a course.
One point matters.
Pain, spreading redness or any change in skin colour is not part of normal settling. Contact the clinic. Do not wait and do not try to diagnose it online.
What should I avoid after treatment?
For the first 24 to 48 hours, avoid make-up over the injection points, strenuous exercise, alcohol, saunas and swimming. Keep the area clean and avoid pressure or massage unless instructed otherwise. Your clinic should give you written aftercare; follow theirs over anything you read online, including this.
Keep the first two days simple.
- Avoid make-up over the injection points for 24 hours. Make-up elsewhere on the face is usually fine.
- Avoid hard exercise, alcohol, saunas, steam rooms and swimming for 24 to 48 hours. Heat and raised blood flow can make swelling worse.
- Do not rub, press or massage the area. Let it settle.
- Keep the skin clean. Use gentle cleansing only. Avoid active skincare over the treated area at first.
- Sleep slightly propped up on the first night if you are prone to puffiness.
You will receive written aftercare from us on the day. If your aftercare advice differs from anything online, follow the advice given to you by your clinic.
How many sessions will I need?
Most patients start with a course of two to three sessions, spaced two to three weeks apart. A single session is not usually enough to give the result people are hoping for under the eyes.
Most patients need a course, not one treatment.
At Skinfinity, a single polynucleotide treatment is £300. A course of three means three separate treatments.
I would rather you understand that before booking.
One session can be useful in some cases, but under the eyes it is rarely enough to give the result most people want. The course is what gives the skin time to respond.
Whether you need two or three sessions depends on your skin quality, age, concerns and treatment goals. We will assess that in consultation.
If we think one session is enough, we will say so. If we think polynucleotides are not the right treatment for you, we will say that too.
You can read more on our polynucleotides page.
When should I start a course to have it finished before December?
Work backwards. Two to three sessions spaced two to three weeks apart, plus six to twelve weeks for the results to develop, means roughly three to four months from your first appointment to your final result. For early December, that means starting in August or September.
Work backwards from the date you want to look ready.
The treatment course usually takes around four to six weeks. Results then continue to develop for another six to twelve weeks after the final session.
That means the full process takes roughly three to four months from the first appointment.
For early December, August or early September is a sensible time to start.
If you start in late October, you can still benefit. But you may be having your final session at the point you hoped to be seeing the finished result.
There is no deadline. And I am not going to tell you that your under eyes need fixing before Christmas.
This is simply a treatment that takes time to work. It is better to plan around your calendar than rush it.
How long do the results last?
After a completed course, Skinfinity's guidance is to return for maintenance at around six to nine months. Longevity varies with age, skin condition, sun exposure and smoking. Polynucleotides are not permanent and are not a one-off fix. They are better understood as ongoing skin maintenance.
Think of this as skin maintenance.
You are not adding volume. You are not placing a permanent implant. You are supporting the quality of the skin over time.
Most patients start with a course, then return for maintenance around six to nine months later.
How long results last depends on the condition of your skin, your age, sun exposure and whether you smoke. If you smoke or spend a lot of time in strong sun, you may be closer to the shorter end of that range.
Frequently asked questions
Does it hurt?
It's uncomfortable rather than painful. We use numbing cream first, and the needle is very fine. The skin under the eye is sensitive, so you'll feel it. Most patients describe it as a series of small stings that are over quickly.
Will polynucleotides get rid of my dark circles?
It depends what's causing them, and I'd rather be honest than sell you something. If your under-eyes look dark because the skin is thin and crepey, improving the quality of that skin usually helps a lot. If the darkness is pigmentation, or a genuine hollow, polynucleotides won't fix it, and you'd need a different approach. We'll tell you which one you've got at the consultation.
I'm allergic to fish. Can I still have this?
Probably not, and you must tell us. Polynucleotides are made from purified salmon or trout DNA. A fish allergy is one of the few things that rules this treatment out completely, so raise it at the consultation before anything else.
Who else shouldn't have this treatment?
We don't treat during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or if there's an active skin infection or inflammation in the area. We'll go through your full medical history first. That's what the consultation is for.
How often will I need to come back?
After your initial course, most patients return for a single maintenance session somewhere between six and nine months later. It's not a course every time. One top-up is usually enough to hold the result.
How much does it cost?
A single polynucleotide treatment is £300, and the consultation is £50. Most people under the eyes need two to three sessions, so budget on that basis rather than on one.
Can I wear make-up to my appointment?
You can, but we'll remove it from the treatment area before we start. Easier to come without eye make-up, and you won't be putting it back on for 24 hours anyway.
What if I've already had tear trough filler?
That's usually fine and the two are often used together, but tell us what you've had and when. If you're weighing up which of the two you actually need, read polynucleotides vs tear trough filler first, because it's a different question from this one.
Thinking about Polynucleotide under-eye treatment for the autumn?
If you want a completed course showing results by early December, August or September is the right time to start.
A consultation at Skinfinity is £50.
We will assess the skin under your eyes, explain whether polynucleotides are likely to help, and map the sessions around your diary.
If another treatment would suit you better, we will tell you. If we think you do not need treatment, we will tell you that too.
You can book through our online booking or call 0113 397 0980. You can also get in touch with a question first.
Treatment at Skinfinity is for patients aged 18 and over. Information here is general and does not replace an individual assessment.
