Is Kim Kardashian’s Salmon Sperm Facial Safe or Effective?

While this may seem strange (and is something only mega-celebrities can afford or have access to), salmon sperm (i.e. sperm DNA derived from salmon testicles) is not a new ingredient. In countries like Korea, salmon sperm can often be found in over-the-counter skin care products, identified in the ingredient list as PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotides) or salmon DNA. Topically it is said to be a gentle skin softener and a low level anti-inflammatory. But what about internally? Is the Actually safe to inject salmon sperm into your skin – and does it even work? We called in a board-certified dermatologist to find out.

What a salmon sperm facial does for the skin

Research suggests¹ polynucleotides (like those found in fish sperm) can target a protein in your skin that helps promote wound healing and tissue regeneration. It is also thought to stimulate collagen production and improve skin elasticity, according to a small March 2010 study in the International Journal of Cosmetic Sciences.

Nucleofill And Plural silk are two popular brands of polynucleotide injectables found internationally, in countries such as Korea and Australia. “In other places, like Asia, people use [polynucleotides] instead of skin strengtheners, almost as a filler,” says Karan Lal, DO, FAADa board-certified dermatologist with Affiliated dermatology in Arizona. But instead of injecting it deep into your skin like you would with fillers, polynucleotides are injected into the superficial layers of your face to soften the appearance of fine lines and give your skin a brighter appearance, says Dr. Lal.

Is the salmon sperm facial safe?

This is up for debate. While there are promising findings about the benefits of polynucleotides, there is not enough solid evidence to say that salmon sperm in particular is effective or completely safe. In fact, these injections are not currently FDA approved and are not widely available in the US

“If something isn’t FDA approved, there’s no real regulation for it,” says Dr. Lal. “You don’t know where the source comes from, whether it’s sterile or not.” Dr. Lal also expresses concerns about the increased risk of infection, the manufacturing process and side effects, especially if you are allergic to fish or shellfish. ‘Personally I don’t feel comfortable offering it [to patients]’ he adds. “It’s trendy because it sounds cool, but it’s not necessary, and we don’t have enough safety data yet.”

it comes down to

While it’s unclear where Kardashian got her treatment, it’s safe to say the celebrity’s latest beauty outing sparked interest. That said, because there’s little evidence about how safe (or well) salmon sperm facials actually work, most doctors (including Dr. Lal) say sticking to tried-and-tested skin-repair options is best, like vitamin C serums or retinoids. In fact, he says that PRP “vampire facials” are much better treatments because it uses your own blood. “If you inject something into your skin, you should think twice,” says Dr. Lal.

For now, we’ll leave the salmon sperm to Kim K.