CHAMGAP
APPROVEDReviewed and approved by the Chamgap Editorial Team (2026-07-24). The draft was written by AI, the existence of all 2 cited sources was verified at the original page, and the verdict passed blind grading and adversarial audit. Methodology v0.6.
Verdict No. 1818 · Search date 2026-07-24 · Methodology v0.6

Polynucleotide injection,
does it really help with Improved periorbital wrinkles and cosmetic skin regeneration?

30-Second Summary
D
Evidence Grade D · 28 · Safety caution
Both sides changed, but PN did not outperform the active filler on clinical assessment
Injection pain, swelling, bruising, redness, and transient nodules can occur. An anatomically trained clinician is needed to reduce rare serious injection complications such as vascular occlusion and infection.
What the
research shows
Polynucleotide injection is rated D for periorbital wrinkles and skin regeneration. This is the one direct periorbital PN-versus-HA split-face trial. It randomized facial sides in 27 women and analyzed all 27. Both masked-physician GAIS and patient VAS were included, but neither differed significantly between PN and non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid; dermal density was also nonsignificant at P=.0986. A single small, short, active-comparator trial does not establish PN-specific efficacy.
What the
ads claim
Injection of PN gel can transiently alter local hydration and volume. Expanding that fact into collagen regeneration, durable wrinkle reversal, or restored skin age exceeds placebo-controlled clinical evidence.
*

Useful facts when choosing a product

  • The pivotal study was a 27-person split-face active comparison of PN with non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid.
  • verdict 1734, which is C with 55 points, concerns botulinum toxin A; verdict 1754, which is C with 45 points, concerns focused ultrasound; verdict 1755, which is C with 42 points, concerns monopolar radiofrequency; verdict 1645, which is C with 45 points, concerns an LED mask.
Gap Measurement · Verdict 1818 · D 28
What advertising claims
What independent, higher-quality research supports
△ GAP
01

What the research actually shows

The one direct periorbital PN-versus-HA split-face trial was Lee's study of 27 Korean women. Facial sides were randomized to three injections with PN or non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid, and all 27 were analyzed. Masked-physician GAIS and patient VAS did not differ significantly, and dermal density was nonsignificant at P=.0986. Some device measures favored PN, but this is mixed endpoints within one trial, not conflict among separate trials. Other PN studies at different sites or with different products mean this wording does not claim that all cosmetic PN evidence consists of one trial.

02

Why this is classified as D (28)

The profile is P, R1, I1, E0, B2, and C0. One null direct active-comparator trial without precise exclusion gives D with 28 points.

Counterpoint. Positive secondary instrument readings are exploratory and do not override the clinical-assessment failure.

Rejudgment record. Cross-check applied — Rated the one direct periorbital PN-versus-HA split-face trial with masked-physician GAIS and patient VAS as R1 and E0, with small short active-only B2 design and C0 imprecision

Scoring profile behind this grade
EndpointPPatient-reported treatment goal - the symptom is the goal
ReplicationR1Single confirmatory trial
IndependenceI1Mixed funding sources
Effect sizeE0Null
PrecisionC0The confidence interval leaves room for benefit

The scoring table and the verdict agree (D).

Sub-claim grades by effect

This ingredient is marketed for several effects. A single overall grade blends strong and weak claims together, so each effect is graded separately here. The overall grade reflects the strongest disconfirming or core claim.

Effect (sub-claim)GradeBasis
Clinical improvement in periorbital wrinklesDGAIS and VAS showed no superiority over the active comparator.
Improved periorbital elasticity and hydrationCSome instrument readings were positive secondary outcomes in a small active-controlled study.
Increased dermal densityDThe between-side difference failed at P=.0986.

Cross-check — Codex and Claude

This verdict was drafted by Codex through literature review and source-existence checks, cross-checked through blind grading and adversarial audit, and settled by reapplying the methodology boundary rules. Cases with split grades were resolved through rejudgment.
03

Evidence Table

StudyDesignSampleFundingEndpointResultWeight
Lee YJ et al. 2022Randomized double-blind split-face active-controlled trial27University-hospital investigators in a product-development context; independent public funding unclearMain GAIS and participant VAS clinical assessments plus instrument measuresNo between-side GAIS or VAS difference; dermal density failed at P=.0986.Pivotal small active-comparator trial
Lampridou S et al. 2025Systematic review of aesthetic PN studies2024NIHR doctoral-fellowship support; authors included aesthetic-clinic affiliationsClinical and instrument outcomes for wrinkles, elasticity, hydration, and roughnessFound heterogeneity in products, sites, techniques, and outcomes, with limited high-quality controlled evidence.Evidence-landscape assessment
§

Receipt — 2 References

All 2 cited sources were verified for existence at the original page (as of 2026-07-24).

Lee YJ, Kim HT, Lee YJ, et al. Comparison of the effects of polynucleotide and hyaluronic acid fillers on periocular rejuvenation: a randomized, double-blind, split-face trial. J Dermatolog Treat. 2022;33(1):254-260. PMID: 32248707. DOI: 10.1080/09546634.2020.1748857.
checked
Lampridou S, Bassett S, Cavallini M, Christopoulos G. The Effectiveness of Polynucleotides in Esthetic Medicine: A Systematic Review. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025;24(2):e16721. PMID: 39645667. DOI: 10.1111/jocd.16721.
checked
Draft and rewrite: Codex (AI) · Verification: Codex blind grading and adversarial audit · Final adjudication: Claude
Reviewed and approved: Chamgap Editorial Team · Approval date: 2026-07-24 · Corrections: none

Cite this verdict

Polynucleotide injection x periorbital wrinkle and skin rejuvenation Evidence Grade D card
[Chamgap] Polynucleotide injection x periorbital wrinkle and skin rejuvenation — Evidence Grade D·28. 2 cited sources checked. Source: https://chamgap.com/en/verdicts/antioxidant-aging/polynucleotide-injection-periorbital-wrinkles-rejuvenation/ · CC BY 4.0

CC BY 4.0 — free to use with attribution; do not distort grades, numbers, or verdict meaning.

!

What this document does and does not do

Chamgap is an information source. It reports what research has and has not confirmed; it does not tell readers what to take or buy. That decision belongs to readers and, when needed, medical or legal professionals. This verdict reflects literature available up to the search date and may change as new research appears. Nothing here is medical advice.