Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1539961
Protection. Education. Connection. There's an app for that at ascpskincare.com/app 45 INGREDIENT DECK IF YOU'VE BEEN EXPLORING THE WORLD of advanced skin care, you've probably heard whispers about an ingredient with a fish origin that sounds more like sushi than serum: polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN). This not-so-new ingredient is making a serious splash—gaining momentum in both clinical settings and professional esthetics—and it's worth knowing about. Originally sourced from salmon DNA (yes, salmon!), PDRN is a fascinating example of how marine biotechnology and regenerative medicine can transform skin health. While its origins might raise eyebrows at first, the science is solid—backed by more than three decades of clinical research and a proven track record in medical treatments. Understanding how PDRN evolved from a medical therapy to a skin care powerhouse allows you to educate your clients with confidence and integrate it seamlessly into your treatment protocols. CLINICAL BACKGROUND PDRN is made up of tiny DNA fragments, with sizes ranging from 50 to 1,500 kilodaltons (kDa), a measure of how big or small these molecules are. 1 This range makes them ideal for skin treatments, allowing the fragments to be recognized and used by the skin to support deeper cellular repair and regeneration. What makes PDRN especially relevant for professional GETTY IMAGES PDRN in Professional Skin Care by Ella Cressman treatments is its remarkable similarity to human DNA, allowing it to communicate effectively and integrate seamlessly with our cellular structures. Originally studied in the 1980s for its role in repairing radiation-induced tissue damage after the Chernobyl disaster, PDRN has a long, well- documented history in wound healing and tissue regeneration. Today, that same science makes it an ideal choice for postprocedure recovery, skin barrier restoration, and other advanced treatments where cellular support and repair are top priorities. In Korean esthetics, PDRN really came into its own with the launch of Rejuran Healer by Pharma Research in 2014. By 2023, 88 percent of South Korean dermatologists ranked PDRN-based skin boosters among their most in-demand injectables—a testament to the ingredient's strong clinical confidence and proven results. 2 CLINICAL APPLICATIONS AND TREATMENT OUTCOMES For skin care practitioners, knowing how PDRN works is key to using it effectively. At its core, it activates