What Are Rejuran Injections (Salmon Injections)? | A Doctor Explains the Effects, Costs, and Number of Sessions

Rejuran injection (also known as a salmon injection) is a treatment that improves skin quality by injecting a formulation (Rejuran) containing an ingredient called polynucleotide.

There are four types of Rejuran plus one more, so choose the Rejuran appropriate for your purpose.

In this article, Smart Skin Clinic, a cosmetic dermatology clinic performing more than 10,000 injection-based treatments per year, provides the explanation.

Supervisor Information

Group Chief Director, Smart Skin Clinic Group

IshiiIshii KotaKota

Career

Graduated from Juntendo University School of Medicine

Worked at Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital and affiliated facilities

Worked at a major aesthetic clinic in Tokyo

Affiliations / Qualifications

Board-certified specialist, Japan Surgical Society

Board-certified specialist, Japanese Society of Anti-Aging Medicine

What Is Rejuran Injection (= Salmon Injection)?

This is a treatment that improves skin quality by injecting Rejuran into the face and neck using a syringe.

"Polydeoxynucleotide (PDRN)," extracted from the salmon DNA that is an ingredient of Rejuran,

These functions act on the part of the skin known as the dermis, naturally increasing components such as collagen and elastin in the skin. This delivers skin-quality improvements such as greater firmness and radiance, less noticeable pores, and better makeup application.

In addition to polydeoxynucleotide, Rejuran also contains an ingredient called "astaxanthin." This ingredient has a strong "antioxidant effect," said to be roughly 1,000 times that of vitamin E. Oxidation of the skin causes aging and leads to spots, wrinkles, and sagging. Its antioxidant action can be expected to help improve these conditions.

There are four types of RejuranPlus one more type

There are four types of Rejuran in total. Because each has a different effect, rather than lumping them all together as "Rejuran," you need to choose the Rejuran that matches your concern. (You can choose one yourself using the guide below, or at our clinic a physician can propose the formulation that matches your goal.)

We will explain in an easy-to-understand way what each one is and how they differ.

1. Rejuran (Healer) (*Not offered at our clinic)

When people say "Rejuran," they are basically referring to this Rejuran Healer. If you want to improve the skin quality of your entire face, Rejuran Healer is likely a good fit.

Four indicators are given below so you can see how it differs from the other Rejuran products.

Main Ingredients	Polynucleotide 20 mg/cc
Firmness	Medium
Effect	Powerful skin-quality improvement
Pain	Injection is often painful (there is no objective data, but subjectively some people say it is "several times more painful than Botox")
Typical price range	60,000 to 100,000 yen

2. Rejuran HB

HB stands for "Hydro Booster."It is a formulation that adds two effects to Rejuran Healer: (1) a moisturizing and radiance-enhancing effect, and (2) a pain-reducing effect.It is helpful to think of it that way. Compared with Healer, the disadvantage is that it is more expensive.

Main Ingredients	Polynucleotide 10 mg/cc + hyaluronic acid (HA) 10 mg + lidocaine 2.8 mg/cc
Firmness	Medium
Effect	Rejuran Healer + moisturizing and radiance-enhancing effects
Pain	Less pain. Study data show that the inclusion of lidocaine reduced pain by 56% compared with Rejuran Healer.
Typical price range	80,000 to 120,000 yen

3. Rejuran i

As the name "i" suggests, this is an eye-area-specific Rejuran that excels at the "eye" (the area around the eyes). Its firmness and rate of absorption into the skin are refined into a form suited to the eye area. If you have concerns about the eye area rather than the entire face, it is best to choose "i" rather than Healer. Because it is for the eye area only, it has the advantage of being less expensive than Healer.

Main Ingredients	Polynucleotide 20 mg/cc
Firmness	Low
Effect	Improvement of fine lines and dark circles around the eyes
Pain	Medium to low
Typical price range	30,350 to 60,000 yen

4. Rejuran s (*Not offered at our clinic)

Of the four types of Rejuran, this is the most highly specialized formulation. Specifically, it is used on localized areas such as acne scar craters, indentations, and scar indentations. Because its applications are limited, few clinics offer it. Our clinic does not offer it either.

Firmness	High
Effect	Improvement of acne scars, craters, indentations
Pain	Medium to low

5. Rejuran + Botox [also known as the "Actress Injection"] (*Not offered at our clinic)

The four types described so far are the pure Rejuran products; this one is a combination (blend) formulation. Specifically, it is a formulation that mixes Rejuran (Healer, i, or HB) with Botox.

In terms of effects, the effect of Botox is added to the previously described effects of Rejuran. When injected into the shallow layers of the skin, Botox can suppress sebum secretion, reduce pores, and inhibit fine lines. (This method of injecting Botox to achieve these effects is called Skin Botox.)

Main Ingredients	Polynucleotide 20 mg/cc + botulinum toxin
Pain	Strong to medium
Typical price range	42,800 to 120,000 yen

[Generic] Kiarareju

This is not one of the Rejuran types, butRejuran genericit is an introduction to an injectable formulation like the following.

Rejuran's main ingredient is "polynucleotide (PDRN)," for which it was patented. However, with the patent having recently expired, several polynucleotide-based formulations have appeared.

One of these is "Kiarareju."

Its main ingredient is a polynucleotide similar to Rejuran's, but because it is a generic product, research and development costs and the like are lower, so it is less expensive than Rejuran.

Smart Skin Clinic offers Kiarareju, so if you are interested, please also see the article below.

Effect

Short-Term and Medium- to Long-Term Effects

From a relatively early stage (short term), you can often feel effects such as improved skin radiance and better makeup application.

After that (medium to long term), you will begin to feel improvements in fine lines, pores, and sagging.

In summary, the following effects can be obtained in the short, medium, and long term.

Duration

Basically more than one year.

The concept of "duration" is not entirely accurate. For example, with hyaluronic acid, a foreign body is "physically" placed, so once it is gone, you could say the duration is over.

With Rejuran, on the other hand, the ingredient polynucleotide stimulates fibroblasts to naturally produce collagen and elastin. In other words, the skin quality is improved not by a foreign body but by substances (collagen and elastin) that the body itself creates, so the concept of "duration" is not accurate.

The duration (≒ aging) will change depending on your subsequent skin care and lifestyle.

Effects on the Under-Eye Area

Rejuran i is a formulation specialized for the under-eye area.

If you are troubled by dark circles and fine lines under your eyes, you can expect these to improve. The article below explains the effects in more detail, so please take a look if you are interested.

Effect on nasolabial folds

Compared with surgical procedures, you cannot expect dramatic changes.

However, by increasing collagen and elastin deep within the skin, the firmness and elasticity of the skin improve, so a lifting effect can be expected. It can be expected to work not only on the nasolabial folds but also on the tear-trough (Golgo) lines and marionette lines.

If you are hoping for the above effect, it is best to choose Rejuran "Healer" or "HB" rather than "i."

Recommended Number & Frequency of Treatments

Three to four times, spaced about three weeks apart. After that, maintenance once every six months to one year.

Three types of injection method

Since Rejuran is a formulation, there are broadly three options for injecting it into the skin.

1. Manual injection by a physician

This one is probably easy to picture. The physician performs the injection by hand.

Because these can be finely adjusted, the appeal is that it allows an optimal approach tailored to each individual's skin condition.

For the entire face, Water Light Injection is also an option, but for the eye area, manual injection is a good choice.

The typical price is higher than for other injection methods.

2. Water Light Injection

Water Light Injection is a machine that can be loaded with various formulations and inject them into the skin. It may be easiest to understand it as "a machine that automates injection."

Because the injection depth and drug dosage can be set on the machine, its characteristics are that (1) it can inject uniformly and (2) the treatment is quick.

It is recommended when you want to inject the entire face, the neck, and similar areas.

Another advantage, I would say, is that for the same formulation the price is lower than with manual physician injection.

3. Dermapen

Dermapen is a procedure that makes tiny holes in the skin with ultra-fine needles. Rejuran is then rubbed and worked into these holes.

Each injection method has its strengths and weaknesses. In the case of Rejuran, it is basically best to inject by hand or with Water Light Injection.

Recommended Injection Method

If you have any of the following wishes, manual injection by a physician is recommended.

Otherwise, you may wish to consider Water Light Injection.

Pain

Information circulates on social media and elsewhere saying that Rejuran "was painful" or "hurts."

Unfortunately, this is true; it is more painful compared with other injection-based formulations. This is not a matter of the physician's skill but a characteristic of the formulation.

However, this is most often reported when Rejuran "Healer" is injected across the entire face.

If you are concerned about pain, we recommend choosing Rejuran "HB."

Downtime / Progress

We will explain the downtime and progress of a typical case.

Immediately after injection

Matching the injection sites, numerous fine bumps like mosquito bites appear. They may be accompanied by redness.

A few hours later

The fine bumps present immediately after injection gradually become less prominent as they are absorbed. Redness may persist.

24 hours later (next day)

It is not completely back to its pre-treatment state, but it becomes almost unnoticeable.

3 days later

In many cases, the downtime is over.

1 to 2 weeks later

If bruising has occurred, it often lasts about one to two weeks.

The article below explains this in more detail, so please take a look if you are worried about downtime.

"Kiarareju," a polynucleotide formulation similar to Rejuran

Rejuran is a formulation whose main ingredient is a substance called "polynucleotide (PDRN)."

Because this polynucleotide is derived from salmon, it is sometimes called a "salmon injection."

Rejuran was patented as a formulation utilizing this "polynucleotide," but this patent has recently expired, and several inexpensive formulations using polynucleotide are now available.

One of these is the "Kiarareju" injection.

Like Rejuran, it is a formulation whose main ingredient is polynucleotide, and because it is less expensive than Rejuran it is "easier to continue," which should make it easier to feel the effects.

At Smart Skin Clinic, Kiarareju injection by Water Light Injection is priced as follows.

If you would like to learn more about Kiarareju, please also see the article below.

Pricing

Rejuran i manual physician injection

Rejuran (HB) Water Light Injection

Rejuran (HB)
*Rejuran with 56% less pain than Rejuran(healer)

Cocktail Water Light Injection with Juvelook

Treatment Flow

FAQ

Is one session effective?

Dr. Ishii

It is of course effective even with a single session. However, the effect is basically maximized when repeated in sets of three or four, so we recommend a set of three or more sessions.

How is it different from ordinary hyaluronic acid injections?

Dr. Ishii

Conventional hyaluronic acid injections created volume by "physically" placing hyaluronic acid beneath the skin. With Rejuran, ingredients such as polynucleotide stimulate the skin's fibroblasts and naturally produce collagen and so on, thereby creating volume.

Can I wear makeup after the procedure?

Dr. Ishii

Because tiny holes are left in the skin, we recommend avoiding it for about 24 hours.

Is there any pain?

Dr. Ishii

It varies from person to person, but there is a pricking sensation at the moment the needle is inserted, as well as pain when the drug is injected. Rejuran (Healer) is said to be more painful. If you are concerned about pain, Rejuran HB is recommended.

Is there any downtime?

Dr. Ishii

There is a little. The downtime for Rejuran is about two to three days, and in most cases about a week at the longest.

Will it revert after a while?

Dr. Ishii

Some people may think, "Even if I get a Rejuran injection, it may be pointless because it will just revert to the way it was..."
 
However, there is no doubt that a Rejuran injection naturally increases collagen and elastin. Of course, this does not last a lifetime, because people age. On the other hand, if you do nothing, you will simply age, so you can expect to become a better version of yourself than if you had done nothing.

Those who are not eligible for the treatment

Risks and Side Effects

Details

Treatment Time	About 30 to 40 minutes (not including counseling)
Recommended Number & Frequency of Treatments	Although it varies by drug, we recommend about three to four sessions at intervals of roughly three weeks. After that, maintenance once every six months to one year is recommended.
Downtime	About 2 to 3 days
Treatment on the day of counseling	Available
Makeup	Possible from about 24 hours later
Skincare	Possible right after the treatment
Shower	Possible from the same day
Pain	1. The pricking pain when the needle is inserted 2. The pain when the drug is injected

Legal Notices

Rejuran includes procedures using drugs or medical devices that are not approved in Japan. The drugs and devices used in treatment have been imported through personal importation at the discretion of our physicians.

Please refer to this page for information on medications and similar items that require caution in personal importation.
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, "Medications and Similar Items That Require Caution in Personal Importation."

Smart Skin Clinic

Smart Skin Clinic

A clinic built on the concept of "making aesthetic medicine more accessible and smart."

Rather than spending on ornate interiors, we keep fit-out costs down, and rather than adding equipment indiscriminately, we carefully select only the devices we need to keep equipment costs down.

We aim to "make aesthetic medicine more accessible" for you.

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Specialty: Aesthetic Dermatology

Specialty: Aesthetic Dermatology

About the physician supervision of this site

About the physician supervision of this site

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This site is operated under the supervision of Smart Skin Clinic's supervising physicians.

This page is operated as a medical institution's website in accordance with the Medical Advertising Guidelines revised and enforced in June 2018, and is produced under the supervision of our supervising physician.

This page is operated as a medical institution's website in accordance with the Medical Advertising Guidelines revised and enforced in June 2018, and is produced under the supervision of our supervising physician.