Polynucleotides
Polynucleotide aftercare: what to expect in the first week
Small bumps, redness, swelling or bruising may be visible after polynucleotide injections. Knowing what is expected, what needs review and why aftercare varies helps you plan treatment more safely.
Immediately after treatment
Polynucleotide treatment involves multiple injections into or beneath the skin. Small raised areas at the injection points, sometimes called papules or embossing, may therefore be visible straight away. The skin can also feel tender, tight or warm, and mild redness or pinpoint bleeding may occur.
These early changes are procedure reactions, not the finished result. Swelling can temporarily make the area appear smoother or fuller, but it should not be used to judge whether the treatment has worked. Take any planned progress photographs only after the skin has settled, using consistent lighting and no filters.
How long will bumps and swelling last?
There is no single timetable that applies to everyone. The product, treatment area, injection depth and technique all influence the immediate appearance. Delicate under-eye tissue may show swelling more clearly, while bruising can take longer to fade than small surface bumps.
A 2026 split-face study found that visible injection-site embossing occurred with intradermal injections but not with the subdermal technique used on the other side. This does not mean one technique is always preferable: the study was small, short-term and used a particular product and protocol. Your own downtime may differ.
Follow the instructions for your treatment
Aftercare should match the exact product, area and method used. Keep the treated skin clean and avoid pressing, rubbing or massaging injection points unless your clinician specifically advises it. Use only the products recommended for you and avoid trying to flatten bumps by manipulating them at home.
Your practitioner should explain when you can resume make-up, exercise, heat exposure, swimming and other facial or skin treatments. Advice may differ between products and areas, so a generic social-media checklist should not replace the written instructions from the clinician who assessed and treated you.
What is expected—and what is not?
Temporary redness, tenderness, swelling, bruising and raised injection points can occur. They should generally trend towards improvement rather than becoming progressively more painful, hot or swollen. A scheduled review is useful for routine questions, but a worrying change should not wait for that appointment.
Contact the clinic promptly if you develop severe or increasing pain, spreading redness or heat, marked or persistent swelling, discharge, fever, blistering, unusual pale or dusky skin, or another symptom that feels unexpected. Sudden visual disturbance, breathing difficulty or symptoms of a severe allergic reaction require urgent medical help.
Why reporting matters
Tell the clinic about any suspected complication and provide the treatment date, area and product details if known. This helps the clinician assess you and preserves an accurate record. The MHRA Yellow Card scheme also accepts reports from patients and healthcare professionals about suspected safety problems involving medical devices.
A report does not prove that a product caused the event, but reporting supports safety monitoring. It is separate from obtaining medical advice: seek appropriate clinical help first when you are unwell or concerned.
Before another session
The skin should be reviewed if a reaction has not settled as expected. The next appointment may need to be postponed or the product, technique or treatment plan reconsidered. More treatment is not automatically the answer to a slow or disappointing response.
Suitability should also be reassessed if your health, medicines or allergies have changed, or if you have developed infection or inflammation near the area. Pregnancy or breastfeeding, autoimmune or other medical conditions and previous injectable reactions require individual discussion. A consultation and clear aftercare plan are essential parts of treatment, not optional extras.