The New Era of Skin Regeneration: NAD+ vs Polynucleotides
If you’re exploring regenerative facial treatments, you may have come across two advanced options: the NAD+ facial and the polynucleotide facial. Both support healthier, more youthful-looking skin, but they work in very different ways.
Understanding the difference helps you choose the right treatment for your goals, whether that’s boosting cellular energy, improving glow, or rebuilding and strengthening the skin’s structure.
In this blog, we’ll explain what NAD+ and polynucleotides are, how they work, what they’re best for and why combining them can be a powerful approach.
What Is NAD+ and How Does It Work in the Skin?
NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in every living cell. It plays a crucial role in:
Cellular energy production
DNA repair
Reducing oxidative stress
Supporting healthy cell turnover
As we age, NAD+ levels naturally decline. Stress, UV exposure, inflammation, and poor lifestyle factors can accelerate this drop, leaving skin looking dull, sluggish and less resilient.
How NAD+ Works in a Facial
When delivered directly into the skin via microneedling or mesotherapy, NAD+ supports the skin at a cellular energy level. It helps cells function more efficiently and respond better to stress and repair signals.
Benefits of an NAD+ facial:
Improved glow and luminosity
Enhanced skin resilience
Support for stressed or environmentally damaged skin
A healthier, more energised appearance
Think of NAD+ as fuel for your skin cells, helping them perform at their best.
Best For:
Dull, tired or “burnt-out” skin
Early signs of ageing
Clients interested in longevity-focused treatments
Skin that needs revitalisation rather than structural correction
What Are Polynucleotides and How Do They Work?
Polynucleotides are highly purified DNA fragments that act as biostimulators within the skin. Rather than boosting energy, they focus on repair and regeneration.
They work by:
Stimulating fibroblasts (collagen-producing cells)
Improving elasticity and firmness
Enhancing hydration at a tissue level
Supporting wound healing and tissue repair
How Polynucleotides Work in a Facial
When injected or delivered through microneedling, polynucleotides act as biological messengers. They encourage the skin to rebuild itself gradually over time.
The results are progressive and structural - not just surface-level glow.
Benefits of a polynucleotide facial:
Improved skin thickness and firmness
Better texture and elasticity
Strengthening of fragile or ageing skin
Excellent under-eye rejuvenation
Best For:
Ageing or thinning skin
Loss of firmness
Fine lines and crepey texture
Skin that needs repair and strengthening
NAD+ vs Polynucleotides: Key Differences
In simple terms:
NAD+ improves how your skin cells function.
Polynucleotides improve how your skin is built.
Can You Combine NAD+ and Polynucleotides?
Yes! and in many cases, this is where the real magic happens.
Combining NAD+ and polynucleotides within the same treatment or structured programme allows us to support the skin on two different biological levels at once.
Why Combination Therapy Works
When used together:
NAD+ enhances cellular energy and repair capacity
Polynucleotides stimulate collagen production and structural regeneration
This means we’re not only rebuilding the skin, we’re also improving the performance of the cells responsible for that rebuilding process.
In other words:
Polynucleotides tell the skin to regenerate.
NAD+ helps the cells carry out that instruction more efficiently.
Benefits of Combining Both
Enhanced treatment outcomes
Improved healing response
Greater skin resilience
Better long-term structural results
A combination of glow and firmness
This approach is particularly effective for:
Perimenopausal or menopausal skin
Skin recovering from stress or inflammation
Clients wanting both preventative and corrective benefits
Full-face rejuvenation plans
At Dermabalance, we may combine them within the same session (where clinically appropriate) or sequence them strategically within a treatment course for optimal results.
Which One Is Right for You?
It depends on what your skin needs most right now.
If your main concern is dullness, fatigue or environmental stress, NAD+ may be the perfect reset.
If your concern is laxity, thinning skin or structural ageing, polynucleotides may be more suitable.
If you want both glow and regeneration, a combined regenerative plan could be the most powerful option.
This is why a detailed consultation is essential — because skin rarely needs just one thing.
Final Thoughts
Both NAD+ and polynucleotide facials sit firmly within the world of regenerative aesthetics, but they serve different biological functions.
One fuels the cell.
One rebuilds the tissue.
Together, they create a more resilient, energised and structurally supported skin environment.
At DermaBalance, we look beyond trends and focus on what your skin genuinely needs, combining advanced treatments with internal wellness for long-term skin health.
Ready to Discover the Right Approach for Your Skin?
At DermaBalance, we blend internal wellness and advanced regenerative treatments to help you feel confident in your skin.
Book your consultation today and experience the next generation of skin rejuvenation, or contact us.
