Skin Booster is a group of injectable substances in the Biostimulator category that focuses on restoring skin quality from within through Skin Regeneration and Tissue Repair, rather than adding volume like general fillers. The main active ingredient commonly used is Polynucleotide (PN), a purified DNA-derived substance injected into the skin through Intradermal Injection.
According to the study by Lim et al. (2024), published in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, which studied PN-HPT injection in 30 Asian participants, PN helped improve four main aspects of skin quality, known as Emergent Perceptual Categories:
- Skin Tone Evenness — more even skin tone, reduced redness, and reduced dullness
- Skin Surface Evenness — smoother skin surface, reduced pores, fine lines, and acne scars
- Skin Firmness — skin firmness, skin elasticity, and skin hydration
- Skin Glow — radiance and glow
These mechanisms occur through Collagen Stimulation and new Elastin formation via Dermal Remodeling, making Skin Booster one of the Natural Skin Rejuvenation and Facial Rejuvenation approaches that is currently popular in Anti-Aging Treatment.
What Age Is Skin Booster Suitable For?
From the same study, the participants had an average age of 40.2 years, with an age range of 25-67 years. This shows that PN can be effective from the late 20s to over 60 years old. The main treatment indications were age-related dry skin, enlarged pores, skin laxity from Photoaging, and acne scars. It is not limited to any specific age group, but should be assessed according to each person’s actual skin condition.
Best Skin Booster Brand in 2026
Among the PN group with the most certification and research support is PN-HPT™ (Polynucleotides Highly Purified Technology) from Mastelli, Italy, which has been developed since 1952 and is supported by more than 100 studies. Products in this group include:
- Plinest — concentration 40mg/2mL, suitable for the face, neck, décolleté, and remodeling areas with high fibrosis such as acne scars
- Plinest Fast — concentration 15mg/2mL, gentler and suitable for the eye area and sensitive skin
PN-HPT™ has received EU CE Mark, GMP, AIFA, ISO 9001, ISO 13485, and RINA certifications, as well as certification from the Italian National Institute of Health.
“Dr. Pun wants to emphasize that choosing a brand is not only about popularity, but should also consider the manufacturing process and supporting research. PN-HPT™ uses a patented 10-step extraction and purification process to completely remove contaminating proteins that may cause allergic reactions.”
Does PN Really Restore the Skin?
Yes. According to its mechanism of action, PN binds to Fibroblast receptors, which are the main cells responsible for producing Collagen and Elastin in the skin. It stimulates five processes: increasing Fibroblast growth, increasing Fibroblast viability, increasing Collagen Stimulation to form well-organized collagen fibers, increasing Fibronectin, an important component of the Extracellular Matrix (ECM), and stimulating overall Tissue Repair.
Strengthening the ECM leads to Dermal Remodeling, which is the foundation of natural Skin Regeneration. In the study of 30 Asian participants, at 6 months after treatment, GAIS scores increased significantly in all aspects (p<0.001). In addition, 76% of participants felt their skin had improved much to very much, and 100% were satisfied with the results, with no serious adverse events reported throughout the study.
How Is PN Different From Rejuran?
This question is often confusing because both are extracted from salmon/trout DNA, but Polynucleotide (PN) and Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) differ in substance type and source:
PN vs. PDRN
| item | PN, such as Plinest | PDRN, such as Rejuran |
|---|---|---|
| Extraction source | Gonad/Testis | Sperm |
| Molecular weight | ~1000 kDa | ~350 kDa |
| Chain length | Long | Short |
| Active concentration | 20 mg/mL | 1.87 mg/mL |
“Dr. Pun explains it simply: PN has a longer chain and a much higher concentration than PDRN, giving it stronger Biostimulator properties and longer water-binding ability. PDRN has a shorter chain, so it absorbs and spreads faster, making it suitable for areas that need quick diffusion, such as around the eyes.”
Rejuran or Plinest: Which Should You Choose?
It depends on the treatment goal:
- Plinest (PN) is suitable for long-term skin structure restoration, remodeling fibrotic acne scars, and skin that needs intensive Collagen Stimulation
- Rejuran (PDRN) is commonly used for skin that needs faster absorption or especially delicate areas
The two groups do not directly compete with each other, but are suitable for different needs. A physician should assess the skin condition before choosing the product.
How Many Days After Skin Booster Injection Will Results Be Seen?
According to Plinest product information, results begin to become noticeable around 3 weeks after the first injection. The study also found that satisfaction scores continued to increase from the first month through the sixth month.
How Many Skin Booster Sessions Are Needed?
The standard protocol in the study was 3 sessions, spaced 4 weeks apart, at month 0, 1, and 2, followed by evaluation at months 4 and 6. In general, 3-4 sessions spaced about 1 month apart are recommended for the best results.
How Many Months Does Skin Booster Last?
According to product information, Plinest results last around 6-9 months after completing the recommended protocol. The study also found that results remained through the 6-month follow-up in all participants, with no declining trend.
Is PN Injection Painful?
The study found that PN-HPT™ injection was mostly not painful. Most participants rated the sensation as “comfortable” or “very comfortable” with both needle and cannula techniques, with only a small number reporting discomfort. For additional comfort, numbing cream may be used before injection or cold compress may be applied after injection.
Will Skin Booster Cause Lumps on the Face?
A slight lump-like feeling may occur in the early period after injection because the PN gel has not fully spread yet, but it gradually softens naturally within a few days. Possible side effects include mild redness or swelling after injection, which usually resolves on its own within a few days. The study reported no serious adverse events throughout the 6-month follow-up.
Skin Booster and Filler: Which Should Be Done First?
According to the Consensus Report from aesthetic medicine experts, PN-HPT™ is recommended before filler as Priming. PN is started about 1 month before filler injection, with 2-4 sessions. PN helps prepare the skin for the next treatment and helps extend the longevity of Hyaluronic Acid (HA) filler results by improving tissue quality from within.
Skin Booster for Dry Skin
Dry skin is one of the main indications for PN-HPT™ because this substance is highly Hydrophilic. It helps attract and retain Skin Hydration in the skin layer, similar to the mechanism of Hyaluronic Acid (HA), but with additional Biostimulator properties. The study found that skin hydration scores improved significantly from the first evaluation through month 6.
Skin Booster for Acne-Prone Skin
Plinest is designed to remodel areas with high fibrosis such as acne scars through Dermal Remodeling and Tissue Repair. The study found that acne scar improvement scores increased continuously from the first month to month 6. At month 6, 56% of participants felt their acne scars had improved much to very much.
Skin Booster for Enlarged Pores
Enlarged pores are one of the main indications stated in the study. The results showed that enlarged pore improvement scores continued to improve, and at month 6, 71% of participants felt their pores had improved much to very much.
Skin Booster for Men
The study included both male and female participants. Among 30 participants, 13 were men (43%), and the results were in the same direction as the female group. This shows that Skin Booster can work well in men too, especially those with age-related dry skin or enlarged pores.
Skin Booster After Age 40
The average age of participants in the study was 40.2 years, which is the age when signs of skin aging often become more visible, including reduced Skin Elasticity, dry skin, and enlarged pores. Skin Booster is therefore especially suitable for this age group to restore skin structure from within together with other Anti-Aging Treatments.
Skin Booster for Age 50+
The study included participants up to 67 years old and found good results across all Fitzpatrick Skin Types studied. This confirms that Skin Booster can still be effective in people aged 50 and above, especially for restoring skin firmness and Skin Hydration, which often decrease with age.
Summary
Skin Booster, especially the PN-HPT™ group, is an option in the Biostimulator category with clear scientific evidence supporting improvement in four key aspects of Skin Quality through Collagen Stimulation, Fibroblast Activation, and strengthening of the Extracellular Matrix (ECM). It is suitable for a wide range of ages and genders, begins to show results around 3 weeks, and should be done continuously for 3-4 sessions for lasting results of 6-9 months. It is considered a safe Natural Skin Rejuvenation approach for long-term Facial Rejuvenation.