Patients are injecting salmon sperm into their face: Anti-aging breakthrough or serious health risk?

“Salmon sperm injections” are making waves in aesthetic clinics around the world. 

In a recent Instagram Reel, Dr. Berry Fairchild, a plastic surgeon in Houston, TX, documented her own salmon sperm injection session. 

But beyond the eyebrow-raising ingredient lies a growing body of science suggesting this isn’t just another gimmick, but a glimpse into the future of regenerative skincare. So, could this be the future of anti-aging, or is it another risky cosmetic trend to warn your patients about?

Why salmon sperm?

Known more formally as polynucleotide or PN injections, this aesthetic treatment uses DNA fragments extracted from salmon sperm to stimulate skin repair and regeneration.

The idea isn’t new—South Korea has been quietly leading the way in research and use for years—but the treatment is now gaining global attention as a promising bio-revitalization therapy.

Salmon DNA is biocompatible with human tissue and remarkably rich in nucleotides, according to a 2024 study in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.^[] Its purity and structural similarity to human DNA make it an ideal candidate for cosmetic and therapeutic use.

Researchers extract these molecules through a process that removes proteins and antigens, so you're not injecting actual "sperm," but rather carefully isolated DNA segments that act as building blocks for skin regeneration.^[]

Why some dermatologists prefer these injections

Unlike dermal fillers or neurotoxins, which simply plump or paralyze, salmon sperm injections are designed to heal and restore the skin. Here’s what sets them apart:

• Cellular repair: The polynucleotides derived from salmon DNA promote fibroblast activity and boost collagen and elastin production—key players in youthful skin.

• Hydration and texture boost: These injections attract water molecules, improving hydration levels and smoothing fine lines and wrinkles.

• Inflammation reduction: Early data show anti-inflammatory effects, which may help calm sensitive or damaged skin, including post-laser or acne-prone skin types.

• Tissue regeneration: By activating natural tissue regeneration pathways, the treatment is being studied not just for cosmetic use, but also for wound healing and scar reduction.

What others are saying

While Dr. Fairchild is a proponent of salmon sperm injections, board-certified dermatologist Azadeh Shirazi, MD, isn’t the biggest fan. 

"Well, it's thought to stimulate cell regeneration, which means it gets your skin to form new collagen, new elastin, new hyaluronic acid, and therefore making your skin smoother, firmer, and more hydrated. Would I do this? Absolutely not,” she says in a TikTok video. 

Dr. Shirazi goes on to explain that these injections aren’t regulated or FDA approved, which means you don't know the quality or the composition of them.

Additionally, “any impurity or anything that's foreign in those injections, your skin could potentially react even months, years down the line. It could form nodules and cause disfiguring of your skin and your face,” she said in the video. 

The verdict: Fad or final frontier?

While salmon sperm injections may sound like the latest beauty craze, their science-backed benefits suggest staying power—at least for some dermatologists and plastic surgeons.

Regardless of who you’re talking to, physicians are increasingly turning to biologic treatments that work with the body, rather than simply masking signs of aging.

Still, more clinical studies are needed to validate long-term results and safety across diverse populations. For now, those seeking more natural rejuvenation options—and who don’t mind the source—may find themselves swimming with the current.