
As FCA-authorised experts 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.
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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:
Let’s be crystal clear. UK private medical insurance will not pay for:
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).
This scenario highlights the stark reality: when it comes to aesthetics, you are on your own financially if things go wrong.
"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.
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.






