I tried the Korean ‘salmon sperm’ Rejuran facial

Words by Lara Daly

What to expect from the Rejuran skin booster injections.

I first learnt of Rejuran facials when this subject line appeared in my inbox: Celebrity-Approved Salmon Sperm Facial Treatment Arrives In Australia. The PR efforts worked. I quickly skimmed over the email and said I was interested in trying the treatment myself.

Now, what I should have done is spent the next five minutes searching ‘Rejuran before and after’ on TikTok, where I would’ve discovered lots of scary-looking videos similar to the viral Kim K vampire facial – bloody, but more bumpy.

For more skin treatment road tests, check out our Beauty section.

Only I didn’t. I was a very naughty (read: time-poor) editor who said “yes please” to the salmon sperm facial, without doing my research. In my defence, I already use beef tallow as a moisturiser and I kind of assumed this would be a topical face mask with some salmon-derived ingredient, maybe some micro-needling and omega 3s? Nothing too crazy.

It wasn’t until the following week, when arranging my appointment time and confirming I had no fish allergies that I got the reply: “Ok great, I’ll let the injector know.”

‘Sorry, what?’ I thought, before quickly spiralling into TikTok. Now I was watching all the videos, feeling like an idiot, realising the Rejuran injectable treatment does, in fact, involve many, many injections all over my face. But as gnarly as the process looked, I had to admit: everyone’s skin in the ‘after’ video was glowing.

Having just turned 30, my own skin, which isn’t perfect but is essentially wrinkle-free, has been feeling super dehydrated lately; my makeup looks dry and patchy at the end of the day, the fine lines around my eyes are starting to show. The thought of more plumped, hydrated skin before party season was too good to turn down. I decided I wouldn’t back out. I know I’m pretty good with pain, plus there was something so The Substance about it, I was curious to see how far I’d go for a glow-up.

What is a Rejuran facial treatment?

Like many beauty innovations, Rejuran healing injections started in South Korea. It’s a treatment that uses the healing properties of wild salmon DNA (!!) to support tissue restoration and reconstruction, and enhance physical appearance. What sets Rejuran apart from other facial treatments is that it consists of bio-active DNA molecules that stimulate regeneration and repair damaged skin while reducing unwanted inflammation.

The Rejuran itself is a sterile injectible gel. It gets injected all over the face, including around the eyes, into the skin’s subcutaneous layer (mid to deep in the dermis) using a thin gauge needle. Importantly, Rejuran contains sodium polynucleotide. For those without a science degree, an information sheet tells me the polynucleotide is hydrating to “cause volumetric increases of tissues and make more favourable physiological conditions for the growth of cells in the skin.”

What does Rejuran do for skin?

Rejuran is marketed as a ‘rejuvenation’ treatment, with its listed benefits including skin barrier regeneration and improved hydration. It’s also said to improve skin tone and texture, reduce pigmentation and improve skin elasticity.

According to the press release from Laser Clinics Australia (where I went for the treatment), “By delivering the polynucleotides (injectable bio-stimulators) directly into the skin, Rejuran stimulates the cells that produce collagen, ideal for those seeking overall skin rejuvenation, as well as boosting skin hydration, treating fine lines, wrinkles, pores and textural changes, reducing scarring, and improving skin brightness including under-eye circles.”

How much does Rejuran cost in Australia?

In Australia, prices for Rejuran treatments start from $600 for 1ml of Rejuran Eye (for targeting the under-eye area specifically) and ranges from $750 for 1ml of Rejuran Classic, to $1,350 for 2ml, which is how much I had for a full-face treatment.

Wait, why is Rejuran called the ‘salmon sperm’ facial?

PR companies love to give beauty treatments shock-factor names to (very effectively) get the attention of editors and influencers. In this case, the salmon sperm refers to the extracted DNA fragments derived from wild salmon, formulated within the serum, which gets injected into the dermis.

What to expect before and after Rejuran

At Laser Clinics Australia, a Rejuran appointment begins with a thorough consultation with a cosmetic nurse, then a registered nurse for a prescription, before the treatment begins. Expect them to talk you through the procedure, answer all your questions and assess your skin first, as your nurse may choose to focus the treatment on specific areas, for example, the under-eyes.

‘Before’ photos are a matter of course at the clinic, then the cosmetic nurse will cleanse your skin in preparation for the treatment. Next, a layer of numbing cream is applied and given time to take effect. (For context, the treatment has been described by a number of pain-related adjectives ranging from “unpleasant” to “bitey” to “supremely painful”.)

Injections then begin, section by section, with this ‘injection’ phase typically lasting around 15 to 20 minutes, according to the Laser Clinics Australia team. Any excess blood is wiped off and antiseptic cream is applied before an important debrief on aftercare.

As you might expect from a series of orderly injections, the immediate results look something like lizard skin. For most people, the bumps go down within 24 to 48 hours. In terms of aftercare, ice is often recommended (applied with a clean facial tissue) as are cold, hydrating sheet masks, serums and barrier creams, avoiding retinols, exfoliants or any active skincare.

After my own Rejuran experience, I can recommend it. It’s worth mentioning that for best results, clinics typically recommend a course that includes three Rejuran treatments, spaced two to four weeks apart. So, if you’re interested in trying Rejuran for yourself, you’ll need to prepare for the downtime. If it’s a quick fix you’re after, maybe go for another great Korean beauty invention: sheet masks.

Like all cosmetic injectables, Rejuran should only be administered by trained medical doctors and cosmetic registered nurses. Always read the label and follow directions for use.

For more about Rejuran facial treatments for skin, read this.