Treatment comparison
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) vs Polynucleotides
PRP vs polynucleotides at The London Road Clinic, Newark. Compare these regenerative injectables for skin quality, fine lines and rejuvenation, and understand which suits your concern.
Side by side
At a glance
| Compare | Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) | Polynucleotides |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Concentrated platelets derived from your own blood | Purified nucleic-acid fragments used as a regenerative injectable |
| Source | Autologous: drawn from you on the day of treatment | Externally prepared purified extract |
| How it works | Growth factors and regenerative cells support tissue repair when injected or microneedled into the target area | Supports skin repair processes, hydration and elasticity at a cellular level over time |
| Main concerns | Skin quality, early ageing changes, mild acne scarring, dull skin, early hair thinning | Fine lines, crepey texture, loss of firmness, particularly in delicate areas such as around the eyes and mid-face |
| Sessions needed | A course recommended for progressive results | Short course, often 2 to 3 sessions depending on area and goal |
| Downtime | Mild redness for 1 to 3 days; temporary bruising or swelling at treatment sites | Usually minimal; temporary redness or small injection-site marks can occur |
| Results timeline | Builds over weeks to months | Builds gradually over several weeks as skin quality improves |
| Price from | From £150 | From £200 |
The science
How each treatment works
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
PRP begins with a small blood draw, which is then processed in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets and regenerative cells. This concentrate is injected or microneedled into the target area, whether that is the scalp, face or under-eyes. The clinic also offers iPRF, which incorporates a fibrin matrix that may help prolong growth-factor release. The goal throughout is to support repair and renewal using your own biology.
Full Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) details →Polynucleotides
Polynucleotides are purified nucleic-acid fragments used in regenerative injectable treatments. Unlike dermal filler, they do not add volume or change facial shape. Instead, they work over time to support skin repair processes, improve hydration and build elasticity. At The London Road Clinic they are particularly used for fine lines, crepey texture and reduced firmness in delicate areas such as the eye area and mid-face.
Full Polynucleotides details →Clinical perspective
Which is right for you?
Both regenerative, but from different sources
PRP uses concentrated platelets from your own blood. Polynucleotides are a purified external injectable. Both aim to improve skin quality over time, but their source material, mechanism and strongest applications differ.
PRP begins with a small blood draw. The sample is spun in a centrifuge to concentrate platelets and regenerative cells from your own circulation, and the resulting concentrate is injected or microneedled into the target area. Because PRP uses your own biology, allergy risk is very low. The clinic also offers iPRF, which incorporates a fibrin matrix that may help sustain growth-factor release over a longer period. Polynucleotides are an externally prepared treatment: purified nucleic-acid fragments injected into the skin to support repair processes, hydration and elasticity at a cellular level. Neither treatment adds volume or changes the shape of the face.
Where each treatment is strongest
PRP is versatile across the face, under-eyes and scalp, including for early hair thinning. Polynucleotides are particularly valued for delicate areas such as around the eyes and mid-face.
PRP can be applied across a broad range of concerns and areas in a single session: dull skin, early lines, mild acne scarring and early hair thinning on the scalp. Polynucleotides are often the preferred choice for delicate areas such as the under-eye and mid-face, where the goal is a gradual, natural improvement in skin resilience and tone without adding bulk or changing facial shape. If hair thinning is part of the concern, PRP or iPRF is the more relevant option.
Neither is a quick fix
Both treatments deliver results that build over weeks to months across a course of sessions, not from a single appointment.
Realistic expectations matter here. The improvement is real and progressive, but it is not immediate. PRP results develop over weeks and continue to build across a course. Polynucleotide results improve gradually as skin quality, hydration and firmness respond over time. The choice between them is often guided by the area of concern, whether an autologous approach is preferred, and what the clinician recommends based on your skin assessment.
Finding the right fit
Who each treatment suits
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
- Adults who prefer a regenerative treatment that uses their own biology with minimal allergy risk
- Those with dull skin, early ageing changes, mild acne scarring or early hair thinning on the scalp
- Those who want flexibility: PRP can be applied across the face, under-eyes and scalp in a single session
Polynucleotides
- Adults primarily concerned by fine lines, crepey texture or loss of firmness, especially in delicate areas such as around the eyes and mid-face
- Those who want a regenerative injectable with predictable, steady improvement without adding bulk
- Those who want the benefits of a regenerative treatment without the blood draw step
Common questions
Frequently asked
What is the main difference between PRP and polynucleotides?
Which is better for under-eye skin quality?
Is PRP suitable for hair thinning as well as skin?
Do either of these treatments add volume to the face?
How many sessions are usually needed?
When will I see results from either treatment?
Are either of these treatments suitable during pregnancy?
Explore each treatment
Read the full treatment details
65 London Road, Newark
Still not sure which is right for you?
Your clinician will assess your skin, talk through both options and give you an honest recommendation, including if neither is the right choice. No obligation to proceed.
Medically reviewed by Dr Shahe Boghossian, Medical Consultant, GMC 5204600 . Last reviewed 23 May 2026.
