The salmon sperm skin beautification method is used by many celebrities, but not everyone is satisfied with the results.
In a recent episode of her Hulu series The Kardashians, Kim Kardashian revealed that she tried a new non-surgical treatment made from salmon sperm.
“I got salmon semen injected into my face,” Kim explained in the episode.
It may sound far-fetched at first, but the treatment has become quite popular in the past two to three years. Polynucleotide injections, made from DNA derived from fish semen, have made a splash after appearing in Australia, the UK and South Korea.
Kim shares about beauty methods using salmon sperm.
Celebrities who have tried it
Kim once tried a “vampire” facial and regretted it. She told Allure in 2022 that she was willing to do anything and try any new method if it would improve her skin.
As for the salmon sperm, Kim didn’t specify what treatment she underwent or where she had it done. But the TV star isn’t the only celebrity to experiment with fish sperm as a facial treatment.
In 2023, actress Jennifer Aniston shared that she had tried the method. “At first, I said to the counselor, ‘Are you serious? How do you get salmon sperm?'” she told the WSJ.
Jennifer Aniston is not a fan of skin treatments made with salmon DNA.
However, the actress said she didn’t notice any major results and prefers weekly peptide treatments.
Presenter Erin Molan also admitted to having what she described as salmon sperm extracts injected into her face, neck and chest, calling it her “next beauty trend”.
“This method, honestly, after maybe three to four weeks of treatment, I looked like I was 20 years old,” Molan said.
For wealthy celebrities like Kim and Jennifer, effectiveness is paramount, but for regular clients, price is also an important factor. According to Vogue , a salmon sperm facial—marketed under a variety of names, including Rejuran Skin Booster—will cost you an average of $500 per session.
The nature of this beauty method
In advertised salmon semen skin care and treatment products, salmon DNA is processed and purified into fragments called long-chain polymeric nucleotides, or commonly known as polynucleotides.
Studies have shown that polynucleotides may be beneficial for wound healing, as they aid in tissue regeneration and stimulate collagen production. Initial in vivo studies have shown improvements in skin tone, wrinkles, skin elasticity, and moisture, says Rod J. Rohrich, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Dallas.
There are many skin care products, from topicals to injections, made with salmon DNA.
There are many skin care products, from topicals to injections, made with salmon DNA.
The injectables have names like Pluryal Silk, Nucleofill, and Ameela, and some doctors overseas use them as a skin enhancer (injected superficially to brighten the skin) or mixed with hyaluronic acid to instantly plump and promote skin regeneration over time.
DNA from salmon testicles has been found in many high-end Korean beauty products. Products containing the substance have been advertised in TV dramas such as Extraordinary Lawyer Woo and the music video for singer Doja Cat’s Vegas .
However, you can’t get polynucleotide injections in the US, despite the excitement and hype Kim’s story may have created. There is no injectable version of polynucleotide currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
It’s unknown when the FDA will approve chemical compounds derived from fish semen for human use in the United States, according to Dr. Roy Kim, a licensed plastic surgeon in San Francisco.
