TL;DR
As experienced insurance specialists in the UK private medical insurance market, our team at WeCovr helps thousands of clients secure peace of mind for their health. This article explores the rising trend of polynucleotide treatments, comparing them to dermal fillers and, most critically, revealing the significant insurance blind spot that could leave you financially and medically exposed. Before you book a Salmon Sperm facial: The hidden risks of the UK's hottest regenerative trend and why standard insurance won't fix botched results The UK's aesthetic scene is buzzing with a new contender challenging the reign of dermal fillers: polynucleotides.
Key takeaways
- Cellular Signalling: They act like a wake-up call for your skin cells, particularly the fibroblasts.
- Collagen & Elastin Boost: They stimulate fibroblasts to produce more collagen (for structure) and elastin (for bounce).
- Deep Hydration: Polynucleotides have a "hydrophilic" effect, meaning they attract and bind water molecules, deeply hydrating the skin from within.
- Anti-Inflammatory Effect: They help to soothe inflammation and neutralise damaging free radicals.
- Space-Occupying Gel: When injected, the HA gel physically occupies space, instantly adding volume and structure.
As experienced insurance specialists in the UK private medical insurance market, our team at WeCovr helps thousands of clients secure peace of mind for their health. This article explores the rising trend of polynucleotide treatments, comparing them to dermal fillers and, most critically, revealing the significant insurance blind spot that could leave you financially and medically exposed.
Before you book a Salmon Sperm facial: The hidden risks of the UK's hottest regenerative trend and why standard insurance won't fix botched results
The UK's aesthetic scene is buzzing with a new contender challenging the reign of dermal fillers: polynucleotides. Marketed under brand names like Plenhyage, Nucleofill, and PhilArt, and colloquially known as the "salmon sperm facial," this treatment promises to regenerate skin from within, not just fill it.
It's hailed as a more "natural" and safer alternative to traditional fillers. But before you rush to book an appointment, it's crucial to understand the full picture. The risks are not just clinical; they are financial and regulatory.
Crucially, a common and dangerous assumption is that if a procedure goes wrong, your health insurance will step in. This is fundamentally incorrect. Your private medical insurance (PMI) policy is not a safety net for elective cosmetic procedures. The financial and emotional cost of a botched treatment falls squarely on your shoulders.
This guide breaks down the science, safety, costs, and—most importantly—the insurance realities of polynucleotides versus fillers in 2026.
What Are Polynucleotides? The Regenerative Revolution Explained
Polynucleotides are not fillers. This is the most important distinction to grasp. They don't add volume or artificially plump the skin.
Instead, they are highly purified DNA fragments, typically extracted from salmon or trout DNA (hence the nickname). When injected into the skin, these "biostimulators" kickstart your body's own regenerative processes.
How Polynucleotides Work:
- Cellular Signalling: They act like a wake-up call for your skin cells, particularly the fibroblasts.
- Collagen & Elastin Boost: They stimulate fibroblasts to produce more collagen (for structure) and elastin (for bounce).
- Deep Hydration: Polynucleotides have a "hydrophilic" effect, meaning they attract and bind water molecules, deeply hydrating the skin from within.
- Anti-Inflammatory Effect: They help to soothe inflammation and neutralise damaging free radicals.
The result is a gradual improvement in skin quality. The skin becomes thicker, healthier, and more luminous. It's an ideal treatment for delicate areas like under the eyes, the neck, and for addressing fine, crepey skin texture that fillers can't fix.
Polynucleotide treatments are a process, not a one-off fix. A typical course involves 2-3 sessions spaced a few weeks apart, with results becoming visible over several months.
What Are Dermal Fillers? The Established Volume-Booster
Dermal fillers, which have been the go-to injectable for over two decades, work on a completely different principle. The vast majority are made from Hyaluronic Acid (HA), a sugar molecule that occurs naturally in our skin.
How Dermal Fillers Work:
- Space-Occupying Gel: When injected, the HA gel physically occupies space, instantly adding volume and structure.
- Lifting & Contouring: They can be used to lift cheeks, define the jawline, augment lips, and fill in deep static wrinkles like the nasolabial folds.
- Immediate Results: Unlike polynucleotides, the effects of dermal fillers are visible immediately.
Think of fillers as sculpting material for the face. They are incredibly effective for structural changes but do not fundamentally change the quality or health of the skin tissue itself. Well-known brands include Juvéderm, Restylane, and Teosyal.
Polynucleotides vs. Dermal Fillers: A Head-to-Head Comparison for 2026
To make an informed decision, you need a clear comparison. Here is a breakdown of how these two popular treatments stack up against each other.
| Feature | Polynucleotides (e.g., Plenhyage, Nucleofill) | Dermal Fillers (e.g., Juvéderm, Restylane) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Skin regeneration, improved texture, and hydration. | Volume addition, sculpting, and lifting. |
| Mechanism | Biostimulation: encourages your body's own repair. | Physical volume: a gel that fills space. |
| Main Ingredient | Purified DNA fragments (from salmon/trout). | Hyaluronic Acid (HA) gel. |
| Best For | Under-eye circles, fine lines, crepey neck skin, overall skin quality. | Cheekbones, jawline, lips, deep folds. |
| Results Onset | Gradual, over 2-3 months. | Immediate. |
| Longevity | 6-12 months (requires a course of treatment). | 6-24 months (depending on product and area). |
| Reversibility | No. Cannot be dissolved. | Yes. HA fillers can be dissolved with an enzyme (hyaluronidase). |
| Key Safety Risk | Allergic reaction (rare), lumps/nodules, infection. | Vascular Occlusion (a medical emergency), infection, lumps. |
| Estimated 2026 UK Cost | £700 - £1,500 for a course of 2-3 sessions. | £350 - £800 per syringe/session. |
Insider Takeaway: The lack of a reversal agent for polynucleotides is a significant factor. While HA fillers can be dissolved in an emergency (like a vascular occlusion) or if the aesthetic result is poor, there is no such "undo" button for polynucleotides.
The Critical Insurance Blind Spot: Why Your PMI Won't Help
This is the single most misunderstood aspect of elective aesthetic treatments in the UK. Many people believe that if a medical professional performs the procedure, or if a complication becomes a "medical issue," their private medical insurance will cover the cost of fixing it.
This is categorically false.
Private medical insurance (PMI) is designed for one purpose: to cover the diagnosis and treatment of acute medical conditions that arise after your policy begins.
Every standard UK PMI policy contains explicit exclusions for:
- Cosmetic or aesthetic treatments.
- Complications arising directly from any excluded treatment.
Let’s be crystal clear. UK private medical insurance will not pay for:
- The initial cost of your polynucleotide or filler treatment.
- A consultation with a private dermatologist if you have a bad reaction.
- Private hospital fees to manage a skin infection caused by the injections.
- The cost of dissolving filler, even if it's medically necessary due to a complication.
- Corrective surgery to fix lumps, asymmetry, or tissue damage.
A Real-World Scenario: Complications from an Under-Eye Treatment
Imagine Sarah, 45, gets a course of polynucleotides to treat her tired-looking under-eyes. A few weeks later, she develops persistent, hard lumps and swelling (a known risk called a granuloma).
- She calls her PMI provider. They rightly inform her that since the issue stems from an elective cosmetic treatment, it is not covered by her policy.
- She returns to her practitioner. The practitioner may offer advice but has no simple fix, as polynucleotides cannot be dissolved.
- Her only options are:
- The NHS: She can see her GP, who may refer her to an NHS dermatologist. She will face a lengthy waiting list. The NHS will treat infection or serious health threats but is not obliged to fix the aesthetic outcome.
- Pay Privately: She can pay out-of-pocket for consultations with private dermatologists or plastic surgeons, potentially costing thousands in search of a solution.
- Legal Action: She could attempt to sue the practitioner for negligence, a costly, stressful, and uncertain process that can take years.
This scenario highlights the stark reality: when it comes to aesthetics, you are on your own financially if things go wrong.
Practitioner Insurance vs. Your Health Insurance: A Crucial Distinction
"But my practitioner is insured!" is a common refrain. While reputable practitioners will have medical malpractice or indemnity insurance, this is not the same as your personal health cover.
- It Protects the Practitioner: This insurance is designed to cover the practitioner's legal costs and potential payouts if they are sued for negligence.
- It's Not a Patient Benefit Fund: It does not automatically pay to fix your problem. You must first prove negligence, which is a high legal bar. A poor aesthetic outcome is not necessarily negligent.
- The Claims Process is Adversarial: You would be entering a legal dispute with the practitioner and their insurer, not simply getting a pre-authorisation for treatment as you would with your own PMI for an eligible condition.
Adviser Tip: Before any procedure, always ask the practitioner to see their insurance certificate. Check that it is valid and covers the specific treatment you are having. However, never mistake this for your own personal safety net.
The Regulatory Landscape in 2026: Still a "Wild West"?
For years, the UK's non-surgical aesthetics industry has been dangerously under-regulated. Currently, a person with no medical training can legally inject dermal fillers.
The government is introducing a new licensing scheme, expected to be in force by 2026, which will make it an offence to perform certain procedures without a license. This is a vital step forward. However:
- It Sets a Minimum Bar: A license will not guarantee artistry or prevent all complications. It aims to prevent the worst practices, not ensure the best results.
- Products vs. Practitioners: While products like Juvéderm and Nucleofill are CE- or UKCA-marked for safety as devices, the key risk often lies with the person injecting them.
The market will be safer in 2026, but it will not be risk-free. The principle of caveat emptor ("let the buyer beware") still applies.
So, Where Does Private Medical Insurance Fit In?
If PMI can't protect you from botched aesthetics, what is its value?
The answer is simple: PMI protects you from the unpredictable health crises that can derail your life. It's for the health risks you don't choose.
While you are electing to have a cosmetic procedure, you are not electing to:
- Discover a suspicious mole that needs urgent removal and analysis.
- Develop debilitating joint pain that requires a rapid MRI scan and consultation.
- Suffer from acute digestive issues that need an endoscopy without a 9-month NHS wait.
- Require surgery for a hernia, cataracts, or gynaecological issue.
This is where private health cover is invaluable. It provides fast access to diagnosis, choice over your specialist and hospital, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing you can get the best care quickly when you need it most.
At WeCovr, we help our clients find robust PMI policies that provide this essential security. While we can't insure your aesthetic choices, we can build a fortress around your general health. Our clients also benefit from complimentary access to our AI-powered nutrition app, CalorieHero, and discounts on other insurance policies, helping them manage their overall wellbeing.
Your Health is Your Greatest Asset. Protect It.
The rise of regenerative treatments like polynucleotides is exciting, offering new ways to care for our skin. But they exist within a high-stakes environment of clinical risk, regulatory gaps, and—most critically—a total absence of insurance cover for complications.
Before you invest in your appearance, ensure you have first invested in your fundamental health. A comprehensive private medical insurance UK policy is the cornerstone of that investment. It won't fix bad filler, but it could save your life or livelihood when faced with a serious, unexpected illness.
Let our expert advisers provide a free, no-obligation comparison of the UK's leading PMI providers. We'll help you understand the exclusions and find a policy that provides real security for the things that truly matter.
Will my private medical insurance cover a consultation if I have a bad reaction to filler?
Are polynucleotides considered a 'medical' or 'cosmetic' treatment for insurance purposes?
If a filler injection causes a vascular occlusion, is that medical emergency covered by PMI?
Why should I get private health cover if it doesn't cover things like aesthetic treatments?
Sources
- NHS England: Referral to Treatment (RTT) waiting time statistics.
- NHS England: Appointments in General Practice statistics.
- UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE): Work-related stress, depression, or anxiety statistics.
- Office for National Statistics (ONS): Health, labour market, and wellbeing datasets.
- NICE: Relevant clinical guidance for referenced conditions and pathways.










