What should you do in the first 48 hours after salmon DNA?
In the first 48 hours the usual advice is not to touch or rub the area, cleanse gently, avoid sun and heat, and follow the doctor's instructions. Redness and small bumps are expected during this time.
The injection points are briefly open, so clean hands and not picking at the area help lower infection risk. Cleanse with the mild product the doctor recommends and lukewarm water, and pat dry rather than rubbing with a towel. Squeezing bumps or massaging the skin is not advised.
Keeping the head slightly raised and methods approved by your doctor may help with swelling, but ask the doctor before using any medicine or cream rather than deciding yourself. Ask before changing any blood-thinner or painkiller use.
When can makeup, sun and skincare return to normal?
Makeup is generally delayed for about a day or the time the doctor specifies; sun protection matters throughout. Active skincare products may be postponed until the skin has settled. Timings vary by person and area.
Makeup that touches the injection points can irritate them, so people usually wait for the period the doctor gives. Light mineral products may be preferred, and clean brushes and sponges matter. Retinol, acid-based products, peels and cleansing brushes are usually postponed until sensitivity passes.
Sun can increase redness and pigment change. Avoiding direct sun, wearing a hat and using broad-spectrum sunscreen is common advice; our sun protection page has more. Tanning beds and long sunbathing should be postponed.
When can exercise, sauna and normal activities restart?
Light daily activity can usually resume straight away. Intense exercise, sauna, steam rooms, hot showers and pools are usually delayed for a time that the doctor specifies and that depends on how the skin recovers.
Activities that raise body temperature and blood flow can increase redness, swelling and bruising, and alcohol may act in a similar way. In the first days it is common to avoid heavy exercise, heavy lifting, sauna and steam rooms. Pools and sea water are avoided until the skin has fully recovered because of infection risk.
Sleeping face down or pressing the face into a pillow can bother the area in the first nights; sleeping on the back may be more comfortable. If you plan to travel, ask your doctor beforehand about flying and early care. Our page on activities after treatment adds detail.
How does the results timeline work?
Redness and swelling in the first days do not reflect real tissue change. Improvement in skin quality is usually gradual and judged as the series progresses. Timing varies by person and no result can be promised.
The first few days are a recovery period. Change in hydration and texture is usually assessed during the sessions and after the series. Some people report a difference mid-series, others only after it finishes, and in some the expected change stays limited.
The number and spacing of sessions are set by the doctor according to product and area. Photos taken in the same light and from the same angle can help follow change. Our page on how many sessions are needed covers planning.
When should you contact the doctor?
Rising pain, fever, heat and hardness in the area, discharge, skin turning pale then dusky, shortness of breath or any vision change are outside normal healing. Contact the treating doctor promptly, or go to emergency care for urgent signs.
Mild tenderness, redness and small bumps are expected, but if they last more than a few days, increase or look unexpected, tell your doctor. Do not try to treat symptoms at home yourself.
For more on effects, see our salmon DNA side effects page, and our bruising and swelling page for those signs. Sharing what you experienced at the follow-up helps plan later sessions.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wash my face after salmon DNA?
Generally you can cleanse gently with lukewarm water and a mild product the doctor recommends, without rubbing or scrubbing with a towel. Follow the treating doctor's instructions on timing and products.
When can I wear makeup after salmon DNA?
It varies by person and area; usually people wait about a day or the time the doctor gives. Makeup should not touch the injection points and tools should be clean. Ask for the exact time in your aftercare instructions.
Can I exercise or use a sauna after salmon DNA?
Intense exercise, sauna and steam rooms are usually postponed for a while because heat and blood flow can increase redness and swelling. Light daily activity is usually fine. Follow your doctor's advice on timing.
Can I go in the sun after salmon DNA?
Avoiding direct sun and using broad-spectrum sunscreen is common advice. Tanning beds and long sunbathing should be postponed. If you plan a holiday, discuss timing with your doctor before treatment.
What should I do about the bumps after salmon DNA?
Do not squeeze or rub them; they usually settle on their own within hours to a few days. If they last, increase or come with pain and fever, contact the treating doctor.
Sources (3)
- Cureus: Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) in Post-procedure Recovery in Aesthetic Medicine: A Narrative Review (2026)
- Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open: A Prospective Split-face Trial Evaluating Skin Recovery and Enhancement with Polynucleotide (Rejuran) Following Fractional Needle Radiofrequency Treatment (2026)
- U.S. FDA: Dermal Filler Do's and Don'ts for Wrinkles, Lips and More
This content is for general information and does not replace a personal medical assessment.