Polynucleotide Under-Eye Treatment: How PDRN Fixes Dark Circles and Hollows

Why Is the Under-Eye Area So Difficult to Treat?

The skin beneath the eyes is among the thinnest on the face — in some areas, as thin as 0.5mm. This anatomical reality makes the undereye zone uniquely vulnerable to the signs of ageing and fatigue. It is also why many topical products, however well-formulated, achieve limited results: they cannot penetrate to the depth at which the relevant biological changes are occurring.

Dark circles, hollows, and fine creasing under the eyes are typically the result of several converging factors:

• Skin thinning: As the dermis thins, the underlying vasculature becomes more visible, contributing to a dark or shadowed appearance
• Volume loss: Reduction in fat compartments beneath the eye creates hollowing in the tear trough
• Chronic inflammation: This can contribute to persistent periorbital pigmentation
• Lymphatic sluggishness: Poor drainage can contribute to puffiness and a congested appearance

Effective treatment requires identifying which factors are present — because the approach for thin, crepey skin is different from the approach for volume loss.

How Can Polynucleotide Treatment Help the Under-Eye Area?

Polynucleotide treatment — using purified salmon DNA fragments (PDRN) — addresses several root causes of under-eye deterioration. When PDRN is injected into the thin skin beneath the eye, it can activate pathways that:

• Stimulate collagen and elastin production in the dermis
• Support tissue repair and improve dermal thickness over time
• Modulate local inflammation, which may help with vascular-related dark circles
• Improve the overall quality and resilience of the under-eye skin

“The under-eye is one of the areas where polynucleotide treatment can be particularly impactful,” says Dr Low Chai Ling. “Because the skin there is so thin, even modest improvements in dermal thickness and quality become visibly apparent. Patients often notice that the skin looks less ‘see-through’ after a course of treatment.”

Is Polynucleotide Treatment Different from Under-Eye Filler?

Yes — significantly. Under-eye fillers (typically hyaluronic acid) work by adding volume to the tear trough or orbital hollow, which can reduce shadowing by altering the light-reflecting contour. Polynucleotide treatment, by contrast, does not add volume. It works on skin quality — improving the thickness, tone, and resilience of the skin itself.

The two treatments address different aspects of under-eye ageing and can be complementary.

Dr Low notes: “Many patients with under-eye concerns benefit from both. Filler can correct volume loss and reshape the tear trough contour, while polynucleotide treatment improves the quality of the overlying skin. Together they can address the area more comprehensively than either treatment alone.”

What Does Under-Eye Polynucleotide Treatment Feel Like?

The under-eye area can be more sensitive than other treatment zones. At SW1 Clinic, topical numbing cream is applied prior to treatment to minimise discomfort. Fine needles or cannulas are used to place the product precisely within the thin under-eye dermis.

Mild swelling is common immediately after treatment and generally settles within a day or two. The under-eye skin is prone to bruising, which is temporary. Most patients are comfortable returning to daily activities within a short period, though this varies individually.

How Many Sessions Are Needed?

Because polynucleotide treatment works through biological stimulation, results develop gradually. A typical protocol involves three to four sessions spaced two to four weeks apart. Cumulative improvements become more apparent as the course progresses.

“Patients sometimes come after one session and say they haven’t noticed much change yet — which can be normal,” says Dr Michelle Lim. “We advise completing the full course before assessing outcomes, because changes in dermal quality take time to express.”

How Does This Relate to SW1 Clinic’s June Promo?

During June 2026, SW1 Clinic is offering a complimentary polynucleotide under-eye treatment with qualifying Ultherapy bookings — for the first 30 bookings. This pairing reflects the clinical logic of combining structural lifting (Ultherapy) with skin quality improvement (polynucleotide) in the periorbital zone. Please speak to our team for details on how this promotion applies to your treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will polynucleotide treatment completely remove my dark circles?
Polynucleotide treatment can help improve dark circles where skin thinning and inflammation are contributing factors. However, dark circles have multiple causes — vascular, pigmentary, structural — and no single treatment addresses all of them in all patients. A thorough assessment is needed to understand the likely contributing factors and set realistic expectations.

Q: Is this treatment suitable for everyone?
Not necessarily. Patients with active skin conditions in the treatment area, certain allergies (including fish or salmon), or other medical contraindications may not be suitable. A medical consultation is essential to determine suitability.

Q: How long will results last?
Results from a polynucleotide treatment course can be durable, as the treatment works by stimulating the body’s own collagen production. Maintenance sessions may be recommended to sustain results over time.

Q: Can polynucleotide be combined with under-eye filler in the same session?
Whether to perform both at the same session depends on the clinical assessment. In some cases, treatments are staged for optimal outcomes. Your doctor will advise based on your individual situation.

Q: Is the under-eye area more risky to treat than other areas?
The under-eye area is technically demanding due to the thin skin and proximity to important structures. This is why all injections at SW1 Clinic are performed by qualified doctors experienced in periorbital anatomy.

Q: Can polynucleotide help with under-eye puffiness?
Under-eye puffiness has multiple causes including fat prolapse and lymphatic sluggishness. Polynucleotide treatment addresses skin quality and inflammation rather than structural fat displacement. Its effect on puffiness is variable and depends on what is driving the swelling.

Book a consultation at SW1 Clinic to explore your under-eye treatment options and find out whether polynucleotide treatment is right for you.