To put it simply, Sana’s publicly shared PDRN ampoule and home-device routine can be viewed as a way to improve hydration and the way skin looks before makeup. However, topical PDRN cosmetics should not be interpreted as producing the same depth or effects as PN·PDRN treatments injected into the skin.[1][2]
The key takeaway: home care focuses on daily hydration and barrier management, while injectable treatments are medical procedures that deliver a product into the skin. Their purposes, supporting evidence, and risks differ.
What PDRN routine did Sana share?
Episode 21 of the YouTube web variety show ‘Sana’s Fridge Interview,’ released on August 20, 2026, introduced the PDRN Pink Peptide Ampoule and home beauty device chosen by Sana.[1] Vogue Korea covered the scene on September 7, reporting that Sana applied the ampoule, used the device, and mentioned hydration and how her base makeup looked before applying makeup.[2]
This episode is evidence that Sana was shown using the product. It does not mean that Sana received Rejuran or PDRN injections, nor is there a basis for inferring her skin condition or treatment history from her appearance alone.
What is the difference between PDRN and PN?
PDRN stands for polydeoxyribonucleotide, referring to a mixture of DNA fragments of various lengths. PN stands for polynucleotide, a broader class of polynucleotides; in actual products, molecular weight, purification methods, raw materials, and approved purposes may differ.
Even when PDRN appears in a cosmetic ingredient list, that does not mean it has the same amount, molecular size, or delivery depth as an injectable formulation. Rather than relying on marketing terms such as ‘salmon DNA’ or ‘plant-based PDRN,’ check the raw-material specifications and human studies of the finished product.
Can topical PDRN penetrate the skin?
A 2026 PLoS One study examined an eye cream containing 0.1% of a specific PDRN raw material with an average molecular weight of 850 kDa or less. In a small split-face study, 31 Chinese women aged 35 to 55 used the PDRN eye cream on one side of the face and a 0.1% retinol eye cream on the other for 28 days. The PDRN formulation showed signals of improvement in eye-area wrinkles and measures of skin thickness and density.[3]
These findings may challenge the categorical claim that ‘topical PDRN can never have an effect.’ However, this was a four-week study involving one raw material, one concentration, one eye cream, and 31 participants. Some of the study authors were affiliated with raw-material or cosmetics companies, and raw-material support was provided. It did not establish the equivalence of other ampoules or device combinations, long-term effects, or injections.[3]
Can a home device deliver ingredients as deeply as an injection?
There is no basis for concluding that it can. Home devices use different methods, including electrical current, vibration, and radiofrequency, and claims that they assist cosmetic application are tied to product-specific testing conditions. Their delivery pathway differs from that of a medical procedure involving direct injection into the skin with a needle.
It is safer to take a break from the device on days when the skin is stinging or red, when dermatitis has flared, or after a recent laser treatment or peel. Combining retinoids or acids with a strong device setting on the same day may increase irritation, so begin at a low frequency.
How strong is the evidence for PN·PDRN injectable treatments?
A systematic review published in 2025 summarized nine studies of PN injections for aesthetic purposes, involving a total of 219 people. Several studies showed signals of improvement in wrinkles, skin texture, and elasticity, but the quality of the evidence was low to moderate, and there was no consensus on optimal use because the treatment sites and methods varied.[4]
Reported side effects were generally temporary reactions such as pain, swelling, itching, bruising, and redness. No serious adverse events were reported in the included studies, but their small sample sizes mean that rare risks cannot be ruled out.[4]
Injections may cause small raised bumps, swelling, and bruising in the skin. The possibility of infection, allergy, or vascular injury should also be assessed by a medical professional. The fact that injections may have stronger effects than cosmetics does not mean they should be the first choice for everyone.
What should you change first if glowing skin is your concern?
First, apply enough sunscreen in the morning and adjust your moisturizer first when your skin is dry. Skin can appear more radiant simply because of surface hydration and smoothness, so maintain a basic routine for four weeks before layering on multiple new ingredients.
Second, if you want to try a PDRN ampoule, add only one product at a time. Watch for increased stinging, redness, or breakouts, and take photographs in the same lighting at four-week intervals. Immediate radiance may be the reflection of a moisturizing film and is different from long-term changes in collagen.
Third, do not use the device at high intensity every day. Follow the product’s instructions for frequency and contraindications, and on days when your skin is sensitive, apply only moisturizer by hand.
PDRN Home-Care FAQ
Is it better to use a PDRN ampoule together with Rejuran?
It is not automatically a better combination. Immediately after treatment, the skin barrier is temporarily disrupted, so irritation and infection risks need to be managed; prioritize the simple moisturizer and sunscreen permitted by the clinic. Add a new ampoule one at a time after the skin has stabilized.
Should people with a salmon allergy avoid PDRN?
The purification process and allergy risk vary by product. If you have a history of fish allergy, patch-test cosmetics on a small area as well, and before injectable treatment, confirm the product name, ingredients, and contraindications with a medical professional.
Can a home device produce collagen?
It depends on the type of device, so there is no one-sentence answer. You need to review human studies of the finished model, its modes and energy levels, the control group, and the follow-up period. Do not interpret evidence that a device assists cosmetic absorption as equivalent to the effects of a lifting treatment.
Dr. Kang Jung-ha’s Recommendation
The first priority is a lifestyle routine. Start with three steps: sunscreen in the morning, gentle cleansing and moisturizing at night, and a four-week trial of one new PDRN ampoule. Begin using a home device two or three times a week at low intensity, and take a break on days when the skin is red or stinging.
The second priority is a PN skin booster when dryness, fine lines, or rough texture remain despite basic care and you want injectable treatment. The official website of Seolleim Clinic currently lists the Shining and Royal Rejuran programs.[5] This is confirmation of the programs’ availability, not independent evidence of efficacy, so confirm the approval status, ingredients, and dosage of the actual product to be used during your consultation.
The reason to choose it is that, unlike home care, it delivers a product into the skin and can target improvements in texture, hydration, and fine lines. The expected range is gradual change in subtle texture and elasticity; it does not replace lifting or correction of deep wrinkles in a single treatment. The main burdens are pain, raised bumps, swelling, bruising, and redness. The official clinic information gives a downtime of one to two days, but this may be longer depending on the individual and the treatment plan.[5]
The third priority is to treat concerns separately. If brown spots are the main concern, assess laser or prescription treatment after a pigmentation diagnosis; if structural sagging is the main concern, separately evaluate whether energy-based lifting is appropriate. Rather than combining multiple injections and lasers on the same day in pursuit of radiance, identify the single issue that bothers you most and decide on the next step after 8 to 12 weeks based on photographs and how the skin feels.
Sources
[1] Ilchil 117 STUDIO YouTube · Sana’s Fridge Interview EP.21, Bang Chan of Stray Kids · 2026-08-20
[2] Vogue Korea · This Is How Glowing Skin Is Made These Days · 2026-09-07
Interesting Skin Stories for Healthy Skin
Drawing on 16 years of experience running Seolleim Clinic in Gangnam, Dr. Kang Jung-ha explains practical skincare methods and engaging, accessible stories about dermatology, using celebrities, public figures, and television as subjects. Through professional knowledge and experience, he aims to help your skin look healthier and more beautiful. We hope this series broadens your understanding of skin and helps you discover ways to care for yourself.
Medical Director Kang Jung-ha (Seolleim Clinic Gangnam)
- Source
- [1] 일일칠 117 STUDIO YouTube·사나의 냉터뷰 EP.21 스트레이 키즈 방찬 편·2026-08-20
- [2] 보그 코리아·요즘 광채피부는 이렇게 만든다·2026-09-07
- [3] PLoS One·Topical medium-length PDRN enhances dermal extracellular matrix repair in photodamaged skin·2026-07-10
- [4] Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology·The Effectiveness of Polynucleotides in Esthetic Medicine: A Systematic Review·2024-12-08
- [5] 설레임의원·샤이닝·로얄 리쥬란 공식 시술 안내·확인일 2026-10-12
