Polynucleotides vs. PRP: How They Differ

Polynucleotides and PRP are both regenerative approaches to skin quality, but they differ at the source. Polynucleotides are purified, DNA-derived biostimulators that support skin repair, while PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is concentrated from a small sample of your own blood. Each works through different mechanisms, and which is considered for you is determined at a consultation in Manhattan's Flatiron District.

What polynucleotides are

Polynucleotides are biostimulators made from purified DNA fragments. They are intended to support the skin's own repair and quality over a course of treatments rather than to add volume. Dr. Marcelo Taborga, MD, a board-certified internist who also holds a Master's in Stem Cell Biology, applies a science-forward lens to these regenerative options, while keeping expectations grounded in what the evidence supports.

What PRP is

PRP begins with a routine blood draw. The sample is processed to concentrate platelets, which contain growth factors, and the resulting plasma is then used in treatment. Because it comes from your own body, PRP is autologous. Like polynucleotides, it is aimed at skin quality and regeneration rather than at filling volume, and results develop gradually.

How they differ

The practical contrasts help frame a conversation with your physician:

- Source: polynucleotides are purified DNA-based products; PRP is derived from your own blood - Preparation: PRP requires a blood draw and processing on site; polynucleotides do not - Mechanism: both are regenerative, but they stimulate the skin through different pathways - Both typically involve a series of sessions, with gradual results - Neither adds volume the way dermal filler does

When each is considered

The choice depends on your skin, your preferences, and your medical history. Some patients prefer an autologous approach using their own blood, while others are better suited to a biostimulator. There are situations where neither is appropriate, and an honest evaluation will say so. As always, results vary between individuals, no specific outcome is promised, and suitability is decided at consultation. Pricing is per session and confirmed there.

Choosing with a physician

Because these are regenerative treatments rather than quick fixes, a measured, physician-led plan matters. A careful assessment of your goals and health helps determine whether polynucleotides, PRP, a combination, or another approach makes the most sense, and over how many sessions. Care is offered in English and Spanish.

What both approaches share

For all their differences, polynucleotides and PRP have important things in common, and it helps to keep these in view. Both are regenerative rather than volumizing, both aim at skin quality, both usually require a series of sessions, and both produce gradual results that build over weeks rather than appearing at once. Neither is a substitute for sun protection and good skincare, which remain the foundation, and neither is right for every patient. Understanding what they share, and where they diverge, makes for a more productive conversation about which, if either, fits your skin and your goals.

Convenient in the Flatiron District

The practice sits in the Flatiron District of Manhattan, New York County, central to NoMad, Union Square, and Gramercy Park and reachable via the 23rd Street and Union Square subway stations. New York City patients exploring regenerative skin care will find an unhurried, educational consultation here.

If you are weighing polynucleotides against PRP, schedule a consultation with Captivate Medical Wellness in the Flatiron District by calling (332) 237-3661. A physician-led discussion will help you understand which regenerative approach, if any, fits your skin.