TL;DR
- Rejuran is an injectable polynucleotide (PN) treatment — short DNA fragments derived from salmon — that supports the skin's own repair process rather than adding volume.
- A typical plan is a course of three sessions, two to four weeks apart, with maintenance every six to twelve months.
- Expect small bumps at injection sites for one to three days, mild erythema, and in some cases pinpoint bruising. Most people return to normal activities the same day.
- Rejuran is different from dermal fillers and from collagen-stimulating injectables — it is a repair-focused treatment, not a volumiser.
Rejuran has become one of the most-asked-about skin treatments in Melbourne over the last two years. The short version: it is an injectable treatment based on polynucleotides, typically offered as a course for people who want to improve skin quality — firmness, elasticity, hydration, and overall texture — rather than change facial shape or volume.
As a Registered Nurse who has used Rejuran in clinic, my aim with this guide is to explain what the treatment actually is, what it realistically does, and how it compares with other options you might be weighing up. No before-and-after theatrics — just the answers I give in consultation.
What are polynucleotides?
Polynucleotides (PNs) are short chains of nucleotides — the building blocks of DNA. Rejuran specifically uses purified polynucleotides sourced from salmon DNA, processed so the fragments are highly purified and consistent in length. When injected into the dermis, they act as a biological scaffold and a mild signalling molecule: they attract water, support fibroblast activity (the cells that produce collagen and elastin), and contribute to tissue repair.
In plain English: polynucleotides do not add volume. They do not paralyse muscles. They encourage the skin to behave a little more like younger skin — producing a healthier extracellular matrix, holding hydration better, and recovering from daily damage more efficiently. The improvements are gradual and compound across a course.
Rejuran vs dermal filler vs biostimulators
This is the question I get most often in consultation, and the answer matters because the three categories are frequently confused. Here is a simple way to think about them:
| Treatment | What it does | Primary purpose | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rejuran (polynucleotides) | Supports skin repair, hydration, and elasticity | Skin quality | Course of 3 + top-ups every 6–12 months |
| Dermal filler | Adds volume and structure where product is placed | Shape, contour, volume restoration | Varies by product and area — discussed at consultation |
| Biostimulators (collagen-stimulating injectables) | Stimulate the skin to lay down new collagen over months | Gradual volume and density over large areas | Longer-acting, gradual build-up — discussed at consultation |
If your goal is sharper cheek projection or lip shape, filler is the right tool — see our facial volume restoration page. If your concern is dullness, crepiness around the eyes, dehydrated-looking cheeks, or you want to invest in skin quality over the next year, Rejuran is the category that fits. They are not competing treatments; they solve different problems, and most of our clients eventually blend the two.
What a course of Rejuran looks like
The standard protocol is three sessions spaced two to four weeks apart. Each session takes about 30–45 minutes, most of which is numbing time — the actual injecting is quick. We use a fine needle and place small amounts of product in a grid pattern across the treatment area.
A typical treatment plan at Cadence Cosmetics:
- Session 1: Baseline photography, topical numbing, first round of injections.
- Session 2 (2–4 weeks later): Review of how your skin responded, second round placed in the same or adjusted pattern.
- Session 3 (2–4 weeks after Session 2): Third round to consolidate the response.
- Maintenance: Single sessions every 6–12 months, depending on your skin and goals.
Results timeline — week 1, 4, and 12
Rejuran is not a same-day-glow treatment in the way some hydrating skin boosters can be. The changes are slower and compound across the course. Here is a realistic timeline based on how most people respond:
Week 1
Small raised bumps at the injection sites settle over one to three days. Mild pinkness can persist for up to 48 hours. Hydration often feels improved by day 5–7 as product disperses, but the structural changes have not happened yet.
Week 4 (around Session 2)
This is the point most people notice skin feeling smoother to touch and looking more even under makeup. Fine lines often look softer, though they are not erased — that is not what the product does.
Week 12
By three months, if the course is on track, skin quality is the story: better elasticity, an improvement in crepiness, and an easier time with makeup and daily skincare. Photographs taken at consistent lighting and angles are the reliable way to measure this — memory is unreliable for gradual change.
Downtime, side effects, and what to expect
Rejuran is an injectable, so the side-effect profile is the one common to injectables in general — plus a specific quirk of the product: small temporary bumps at injection sites.
- Small raised dots across the treated area for one to three days — these are the product itself sitting in the dermis before dispersing.
- Mild erythema (pinkness) for 24–48 hours.
- Occasional pinpoint bruising, more common around the under-eye and lip border.
- Tenderness to touch for 1–2 days.
Most clients book around a weekend if they are concerned about the cosmetic read the next day, but we routinely treat people in the morning who return to work in the afternoon. If you are heading into a wedding, photoshoot, or major event, we recommend treating at least two weeks in advance.
Who Rejuran is suitable for — and who should skip it
Rejuran tends to work well for:
- People in their 30s, 40s, and 50s who notice their skin looks tired, dehydrated, or is losing its bounce.
- Clients who are already investing in a skincare routine and want the next step without moving to filler.
- Thin, crepey skin around the eyes and neck, where volumisers are often the wrong tool.
- Anyone preparing their skin before a longer-term aesthetic plan — it pairs well with a good SPF and vitamin A routine.
It is not appropriate if you:
- Are pregnant, breastfeeding, or actively trying to conceive.
- Have a history of keloid scarring in the treatment area.
- Have an active skin infection, cold sore, or inflammatory breakout in the region being treated.
- Have a confirmed allergy to fish or fish-derived products — Rejuran is sourced from salmon DNA.
- Are seeking shape or volume change — filler, not Rejuran, is the right tool.
If you have an autoimmune condition or a history of granulomatous reactions to injectables, we discuss this in detail before proceeding. The right answer is sometimes to not proceed — which is always preferable to treating into a problem.
Regulatory status in Australia
Rejuran is regulated in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Like all injectable cosmetic products of this category, it must be administered by an appropriately qualified health practitioner working within their scope of practice. At Cadence Cosmetics, all treatments are administered by a Registered Nurse — in our case, by Kristin, who holds current AHPRA registration and has more than a decade of clinical experience, including time at a major Melbourne hospital. You can read more about Kristin's background and approach.
If you are considering Rejuran anywhere in Melbourne, a reasonable minimum standard is: an in-person consultation, clear discussion of alternatives, written consent, and a named, registered practitioner performing the treatment.
Rejuran cost in Melbourne
Pricing varies meaningfully between clinics, and the product itself comes in several variants, so a single headline price would be misleading. For an accurate Rejuran cost in Melbourne based on your skin and the product we recommend for you, we confirm in the complimentary consultation. If you would like to discuss pricing before booking, please get in touch.
How Rejuran compares with microneedling
These two treatments often come up in the same conversation, and they are complementary rather than interchangeable. Microneedling — in our clinic, performed with the TGA-listed SkinPen device (see our skin needling page) — mechanically creates controlled micro-injuries to trigger collagen remodelling. Rejuran delivers polynucleotides that support the repair response directly.
For acne scarring or advanced texture work, a combined plan across both can outperform either alone. For pure skin quality — elasticity, hydration, thin crepey areas — Rejuran stands well on its own. We design the specific sequencing in consultation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Rejuran cost in Melbourne?
Pricing varies by clinic, product variant (for example, Rejuran Healer, I or S), and whether you purchase single sessions or a course. As a rough guide, Melbourne clinics advertise per-session pricing in the several-hundred-dollar range. For an accurate quote tailored to your skin and goals, contact Cadence Cosmetics directly — we will confirm pricing in your complimentary consultation.
How many sessions will I need?
Most people are treated with an initial course of three sessions spaced two to four weeks apart, followed by top-ups every six to twelve months. Some skin types or concerns benefit from four initial sessions. Your course length is confirmed during consultation based on your skin's baseline and response to the first treatment.
Is Rejuran safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
No. Rejuran is not administered to anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding, or actively trying to conceive. This is a standard precaution across injectable skin treatments — the evidence base in these groups is limited, and we default to the cautious position.
Does Rejuran work for acne scars?
Polynucleotides can contribute to the appearance of shallow post-inflammatory marks and skin texture over a course of treatments, often in combination with microneedling. For deeper rolling or boxcar scars, a combined plan that includes SkinPen microneedling and sometimes subcision is usually more effective than Rejuran alone.
Can I have Rejuran at the same time as anti-wrinkle injections or filler?
Rejuran is frequently sequenced with anti-wrinkle injections and dermal filler in the same overall plan — they target different things. We typically space them by one to two weeks rather than stacking on the same day, which keeps each treatment comfortable and makes it easier to attribute any unexpected response to the correct product.
Will I bruise?
Small pinpoint bumps at each injection site are expected for one to three days. Pinpoint bruising happens sometimes, particularly around the under-eye and lip border. Avoiding alcohol, fish oil, and non-essential anti-inflammatories for 24 hours before your appointment reduces the chance.
Ready to book?
If you would like a considered assessment of whether Rejuran is right for your skin, you can read more on our Rejuran skin boosters treatment page, or book a complimentary consultation. Every consultation includes a full skin assessment and a written plan — if Rejuran is not the best use of your time and budget, we will say so.
