Both Sunekos and polynucleotides are injectable skin treatments often described as bio-remodellers or "skin boosters," and both work beneath the surface to improve skin quality rather than add volume. There are some important differences though, and they're not always the same treatment for the same person.

Sunekos combines hyaluronic acid with a patented blend of six amino acids, the same building blocks your skin uses to produce collagen and elastin. It's a CE-marked medical device with published clinical studies behind it, and it's been used in UK clinics for around a decade. Its mechanism of action is well understood, and there is peer-reviewed evidence supporting its use for skin quality, hydration, and under-eye rejuvenation.

Polynucleotides are fragments of purified DNA, most commonly derived from salmon or trout. They are thought to support skin healing, hydration, and elasticity through their interaction with skin cells. They've become very popular over the last 2 to 3 years in UK aesthetics, particularly for under-eye work. The evidence base is growing, but is currently smaller and less mature than for Sunekos, and the regulatory pathway for some polynucleotide products in the UK is still evolving.

No. Sunekos doesn't add volume or change the shape of your face. It works by supporting your skin's own collagen and elastin production, which improves skin quality, firmness, and hydration.

Sunekos is a CE-marked medical device with a strong safety profile. As with any injectable treatment, mild redness, swelling, or small bumps at injection sites are common and usually settle quickly. At Prestige Skin, your suitability is carefully assessed during your consultation by a qualified nurse.

Most clients find Sunekos very tolerable, particularly with numbing cream applied beforehand. You may feel small pinches at each injection point.

Results typically last around 6 months following a full course, which is why we recommend a single maintenance session every 6 months to keep your skin looking its best.

Yes, Sunekos can complement other treatments and is often combined into a wider skin and aesthetic plan. I will advise on safe timings and the right order.

Sunekos isn't suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or for clients with certain medical conditions or active skin infections in the treatment area. Your full medical history will be discussed at consultation.

Traditional tear trough fillers add volume to lift hollow under eyes. Sunekos works differently, improving the quality and hydration of the skin itself. For clients with crepey, thinning under-eye skin, or those who aren't suitable for filler, Sunekos can be a brilliant alternative.

For anyone who likes to know exactly what's happening beneath the surface, here's a closer look at how Sunekos works.

At the heart of the formula is low molecular weight hyaluronic acid combined with a patented cluster of six essential amino acids: glycine, L-proline, L-leucine, L-lysine, L-valine, and L-alanine. These are the same amino acids your skin naturally uses to build collagen and elastin, so when they're delivered directly into the deeper layers of skin, they act as a signal to your body to get back to work.

This signal stimulates your fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin. The fibroblasts respond by producing fresh Type I collagen (the strongest and most abundant collagen in human skin) and new elastin fibres. This process is known as biogenesis, and it gradually rebuilds the skin's extracellular matrix, the structural scaffolding that keeps skin firm, smooth, and supported.

In practical terms, this means:

Immediate hydration: The hyaluronic acid attracts and retains moisture in the skin, which is why many clients notice a fresher, more hydrated look very quickly.

Stimulation from within: The amino acids signal your fibroblasts to start producing new collagen and elastin.

Gradual structural repair: As fresh collagen and elastin are created, your skin's scaffolding is steadily rebuilt, improving smoothness, density, and resilience.

Natural-looking regeneration: Over the weeks that follow, skin becomes firmer, brighter, and more resilient. Under-eye skin in particular looks fresher, with reduced crepiness and softer dark circles.

This is why Sunekos sits in such a different category to traditional fillers. Filler adds volume on top of (or beneath) the skin. Sunekos works with your body's own biology to gradually improve the quality of the skin itself, which is why it doesn't risk the overfilling or puffiness that injectors are often (rightly) cautious of in the delicate under-eye area.

It's an approach that works beautifully for younger clients in their late 20s and 30s who are starting to notice the first signs of ageing, as well as for clients in their 40s and 50s who are looking to improve crepey, thinning skin and rebuild quality where it's been lost over time.