6 Reasons Rejuran May Seem Ineffective | Differences in Skin Texture, Elasticity, and Fine Lines | Seolleung Station Dermatology

Hello, I am Dajeong Kim, director of Cordia Clinic.

“I had Rejuran, but my skin doesn't seem to have changed.”

“People around me say their skin has improved, but I can't tell any difference.”

“Do you have to get Rejuran several times before it works?”

Not seeing the changes you expected after a skin booster treatment can be disappointing. Especially if you've experienced discomfort and downtime, you naturally expect the results to be more noticeable.

However, satisfaction with Rejuran can vary depending on which skin concern it was used for and what you use as the benchmark for results.

Title banner: "Why can't you feel Rejuran's effects? Reasons it feels like it isn't working," with a Rejuran box and syringes.

The reason you may feel Rejuran isn't working isn't simply that you haven't had enough treatments.

It may be because the skin concern doesn't match what the treatment is designed to address, the actual change is small, or the results you expected differ from what's measured.

1. When your skin concern is different from what Rejuran targets

Rejuran is an injectable medical device whose main ingredient is polynucleotide (PN).

PN is a polymer derived from DNA, and its effects on skin tissue and extracellular matrix-related responses have been studied.

However, Rejuran does not produce the same results for every skin problem.

For example, the following concerns arise from different causes.

In particular, if your skin is sagging or you have deep wrinkles and you expected Rejuran alone to significantly change the shape of your face, you may feel it isn't working.

It's important to understand the difference between skin texture improvement from skin boosters and the structural changes achieved with volume treatments.

2. Because the actual changes appear gradually

Right after a Rejuran treatment, small raised bumps (embossing) or swelling may appear.

Close-up of a cheek showing redness, uneven texture and pitted marks.

These changes are temporary and occur as the product is injected into the skin tissue.

However, large embossing does not necessarily mean better results.

Conversely, if the embossing disappears quickly, that doesn't mean the ingredient had no effect.

In clinical studies on PN, skin condition is typically evaluated over several weeks to several months after treatment.

For example, in a 2022 study published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment, PN and hyaluronic acid were each injected into opposite sides of the face in 27 participants.

Three treatments were given at two-week intervals, after which skin condition was assessed.

As a result, PN showed improvement in some measures, including skin elasticity, hydration, roughness, and pore volume.

However, these changes are not immediately obvious to everyone right after treatment.

3. Measured skin results and visible changes can differ

This point is especially important when understanding Rejuran's effects.

In the study of 27 participants mentioned above, PN showed more favorable results than hyaluronic acid on some objective measures, including skin roughness and pore volume.

However, no statistically significant difference was found between the two treatments in overall aesthetic improvement scores.

In other words, even if differences show up on skin measurement devices, the overall change in appearance that patients perceive may not be significant.

Skin photos can also look different depending on lighting, angle, whether makeup is worn, and the skin's hydration level at the time of the photo.

Therefore, when checking changes before and after treatment, it helps to compare photos taken under the same conditions alongside specific measures such as skin texture and fine lines.

4. Because the products and treatment conditions differ

There are several different products known under the Rejuran name.

The official product information lists Rejuran i, Rejuran S, and Rejuran HB Plus in addition to standard Rejuran.

Depending on the product, the ingredient composition and approved uses may differ.

Treatment results may also be affected by the injection volume, treatment area, tissue characteristics, injection depth, and spacing between sessions.

However, injecting more product or injecting deeper does not necessarily lead to better results.

A treatment plan that fits the product's approved indications and your skin condition is what matters.

The same applies to the number of treatments.

In a 2024 survey of 235 board-certified dermatologists in Korea, the most commonly reported approach was PN treatment three times in total at four-week intervals.

However, this reflects common clinical practice patterns and does not mean that every patient needs three treatments or that results are guaranteed after three.

5. Because responses differ depending on individual skin condition

Skin aging is not caused by a single factor.

UV exposure, age, skin dryness, existing scars, and inflammatory skin conditions all affect the skin in different ways.

So even with the same PN product, someone whose skin texture is already relatively good may see different changes than someone with pronounced fine lines.

If your skin is dry or you have an inflammatory skin condition, these issues may need to be evaluated separately.

In particular, if there is little improvement even after repeated Rejuran treatments, it's worth checking whether the original treatment goal was appropriate rather than simply adding more sessions.

6. The effect may simply not have been sufficient

Not every treatment delivers the results you expect.

A 2025 systematic review published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology analyzed data from nine studies involving 219 participants in total on PN aesthetic treatments.

Several studies observed possible improvements in fine lines, skin texture, and elasticity.

However, the authors noted that the included studies were of low to moderate quality of evidence and that there is no sufficient consensus on the optimal treatment method.

A 2026 systematic review focused on randomized trials included data from only seven studies involving 183 participants in total. It reported potential benefits for skin regeneration but concluded that larger-scale studies are needed.

This means that if you've had Rejuran and feel nothing has changed, the reason may not simply be that you failed to notice the effects.

In fact, we should also consider that a clinically meaningful improvement may not have fully occurred.

Points to check if you feel Rejuran isn't working

When evaluating your treatment results, the following questions can help.

Before treatment, was your main concern fine lines, pores, or skin sagging?

Which product was used, and which area was treated?

Has enough time passed since the treatment for results to show?

Do you have before-and-after photos taken under the same conditions?

Which measures will you use to evaluate results, such as skin texture, hydration, or elasticity?

Are there any existing skin conditions or other issues that may be involved?

Also, if redness, pain, or swelling gets worse over time, or if you develop persistent lumps, warmth, or weeping, don't assume it's simply a lack of effect. Have a medical professional evaluate you.

In Closing

There are many reasons why you may feel Rejuran isn't working.

Changes in skin condition may appear gradually, or they may be too subtle to see with the naked eye.

Also, if you were trying to address a skin concern that Rejuran is not well suited to improve, the results you hoped for may not appear.

Above all, no treatment guarantees results for every patient.

When evaluating Rejuran's effects, what matters is not how many times you've had it, but which skin concern you aimed to improve and what has actually changed.

If you don't see the changes you expected, it makes more sense to reassess your skin condition and treatment goals rather than repeating treatments automatically.

References and Medical Evidence

Lee YJ, et al. Comparison of the effects of polynucleotide and hyaluronic acid fillers on periocular rejuvenation: a randomized, double-blind, split-face trial. Journal of Dermatological Treatment. 2022;33(1):254–260.

Lampridou S, et al. The Effectiveness of Polynucleotides in Esthetic Medicine: A Systematic Review. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2025;24(2).

Rho NK, et al. A survey on the cosmetic use of injectable polynucleotide: The pattern of practice among Korean Dermatologists. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2024;23(4):1243–1252.

Polynucleotides and Polydeoxyribonucleotides for Skin Rejuvenation, Postoperative Scar Prevention, and Wound Healing: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials. 2026.

PharmaResearch. Rejuran official website and product-specific instructions for use.

※ This article provides general medical information on the clinical evidence for skin improvement with Rejuran and other PN injectables. Not all PN products used in the studies are the same Rejuran product, and approved indications and effects should be distinguished by product.

※ Treatment results and recovery vary from person to person. Actual treatment decisions should take into account your skin condition and product-specific instructions for use.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will my skin improve right away after Rejuran?

Clear changes may not be visible right after treatment, and actual improvements can appear gradually. Small embossing or swelling immediately after treatment is temporary and occurs as the product is injected. Clinical studies on polynucleotides have also evaluated skin condition over several weeks to several months after treatment.

Do I need multiple Rejuran treatments to see results?

Not every patient needs three treatments, and completing a set number of sessions does not guarantee results. In a 2024 survey of 235 board-certified dermatologists in Korea, the most commonly reported approach was three polynucleotide treatments at four-week intervals. However, this reflects clinical trends rather than a standard requirement.

Can Rejuran improve fine lines and skin texture?

Some clinical studies have observed possible improvements in fine lines and skin texture. However, the evidence level of these studies is low to moderate, and results vary between individuals, so the same effects are not guaranteed for everyone.

Does Rejuran restore volume or provide a lifting effect?

Rejuran alone is unlikely to produce a clear volume restoration or lifting effect. If you have deep nasolabial folds or significant skin sagging and expected a change in facial shape, you may feel it isn't working. It's helpful to understand the difference between skin texture improvement and the structural changes achieved with volume treatments.

What symptoms after treatment should be evaluated by a medical professional?

If redness, pain, or swelling gets progressively worse, or if you develop persistent lumps, warmth, or weeping, you should be evaluated by a medical professional. In such cases, it's best not to assume it's simply a lack of effect.

What should I look at when evaluating Rejuran's results?

It helps to check the concern you aimed to address before treatment, the product and treated area, whether enough time has passed, and whether you have before-and-after photos taken under the same conditions. It's also useful to decide in advance which measures to track, such as skin texture, hydration, or elasticity.