Rejuran’s healing unfolds in three phases: the first 72 hours trigger wound repair (50% faster than standard treatments), with polynucleotides boosting cell regeneration. Days 4-14 see collagen production spike by 30%, reducing redness and texture. By week 6, elastin fibers mature, delivering 80% firmer skin. Avoid sun and harsh actives during recovery to maximize results. Hydration amplifies effects by 20%.
Table of Contents
ToggleStage 1: Calming and Protecting Skin​​
Right after your Rejuran Healer injection, your skin isn’t instantly transformed – it’s actively beginning its repair work. Think of this first 1-7 days as the essential setup phase. The PDRN (Polydeoxyribonucleotide), derived from salmon DNA and the core active in Rejuran, starts interacting with your skin cells almost immediately. Research suggests healing signals kick in within the first 24-72 hours. However, this initial stage is often accompanied by some ​​temporary inflammation​​ – redness, mild swelling, and sometimes tiny bumps at the injection sites. This is your skin’s natural, healthy reaction to the micro-injuries from the needles and the introduction of the healing stimulus. ​​70-80% of patients​​ report noticeable redness and swelling within the first 48 hours. Don’t worry; this is expected. The primary goals here are clear: ​​calm down this temporary reaction​​ and create the best possible ​​shield​​ so the deeper healing work can begin effectively without interruption. Aggressive sun exposure, harsh skincare, or picking at the skin can seriously derail this delicate start.
During these initial days, protection is paramount. Your skin barrier is temporarily compromised. ​​Daily, broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen​​ isn’t just recommended; it’s non-negotiable. UV rays are incredibly damaging to healing skin and can worsen inflammation and potentially lead to hyperpigmentation. Apply it generously every morning, even if indoors near windows, and ​​reapply every 2 hours​​ if outdoors. Mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are often gentler during this phase. Equally crucial is ​​keeping the skin hydrated​​. Gentle, fragrance-free moisturizers help restore the barrier and soothe the sensation of tightness or dryness. Stick to products recommended by your clinician, typically containing soothing agents like panthenol, centella asiatica, or hyaluronic acid. Cleansing must be ultra-gentle – lukewarm water only and a very mild, non-exfoliating cleanser. ​​Avoid active ingredients​​ like retinoids (Retin-A, retinol), AHAs/BHAs (glycolic, salicylic acid), and strong vitamin C serums during this entire first week – they can cause further irritation. Also, skip ​​saunas, steam rooms, and intense exercise​​ for at least 72 hours, as heat and sweat can increase inflammation and infection risk.
Here’s a quick guide to key actions in Stage 1:
Time After Injection | Expected Skin State | Critical Actions | Key Products to Use |
---|---|---|---|
​​Hours 0-24​​ | Redness, Swelling, Pinprick Marks | Apply cold compress if advised. ​​Avoid touching face.​​ Rest. | Cold compress (clinician-approved), nothing else unless specified |
​​Days 1-3​​ | Peak Redness/Swelling, Mild Discomfort | ​​Gentle cleansing.​​ ​​Apply soothing moisturizer frequently.​​ ​​Apply SPF 50+​​. | Mild, non-foaming cleanser, Fragrance-free moisturizer (Panthenol, Centella), Mineral SPF 50+ |
​​Days 4-7​​ | Redness/Swelling Subsides, Dryness/Flaking Possible | Continue gentle routine. ​​Hydration is key.​​ ​​SPF 50+ every day​​. | Continue gentle cleanser, moisturizer, SPF. Still avoid active ingredients & makeup if possible. |
Sticking closely to these simple calming and protecting steps for the first week gives your skin the stable foundation it needs. This initial phase focuses on managing the expected temporary effects and preventing new problems, ​​allowing the Rejuran PDRN to steadily signal your skin to begin the real repair work​​ that unfolds in Stage 2. Don’t judge results yet – your skin is diligently working beneath the surface.
Stage 2: Building New Healthy Tissue​​
Now comes the exciting part! After the initial calm-down phase (roughly ​​days 7 to 28​​, sometimes extending to week 6), the Rejuran PDRN gets down to its core business: kickstarting your skin’s natural healing machinery. The initial inflammation has significantly subsided, creating the perfect environment for rebuilding. This is when the PDRN fragments – sourced from biocompatible salmon DNA – actively ​​signal your fibroblasts​​, the skin’s crucial “construction worker” cells. Studies indicate that PDRN can enhance collagen production by up to ​​30-50%​​ within these weeks. It’s not just about collagen type I (for structure); PDRN also helps stimulate elastin and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), like hyaluronic acid, which are vital for resilience, bounce, and hydration. This stage is less about dramatic instant changes and more about the vital groundwork happening beneath the surface. Think of it as your skin quietly building a stronger foundation.
During this phase, you’ll likely start seeing subtle but promising signs that real repair is underway. ​​Skin texture begins to smooth out​​. Fine lines caused by dehydration or minor damage often soften noticeably as new tissue fills in. ​​Acne scars​​ – particularly newer, red or pigmented marks (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) and shallower depressions – start to visibly lighten and fill. The new collagen acts like tiny supportive scaffolding under the scar. ​​General radiance and firmness improve​​ as hydration levels get a boost internally from the enhanced GAGs. ​​Pore appearance can reduce​​ slightly as the surrounding skin becomes plumper and tighter. This is the critical ​​regeneration window​​, typically peaking between ​​weeks 3 to 5​​ post-treatment. Consistency in care remains essential to support this active construction phase. While downtime is mostly over, your skin cells are working overtime.
Here’s a practical guide to navigating and supporting Stage 2:
Timeframe | What’s Happening Inside | Visible Changes | Care Tips |
---|---|---|---|
1.5-3 weeks | Fibroblasts activate, collagen begins forming | Redness/swelling reduce, skin feels softer | Use SPF 50+, gentle skincare, can add HA serum |
3-5 weeks (Peak) | Collagen/elastin production peaks | Smoother texture, scars begin fading | May add vitamin C, avoid scrubbing |
5-6+ weeks | Collagen matures and organizes | Scars continue improving, even tone | SPF essential, may upgrade hydration |
This building stage is where the real magic of Rejuran happens beneath the surface. ​​Patience is key​​; the most significant visible improvements for concerns like deeper scars often become clearest towards the end of Stage 2 and into Stage 3. Don’t get discouraged if changes seem slow or subtle initially; cellular renewal takes time. Your focus should be on ​​nurturing the environment​​ (strict sun protection, gentle cleansing, hydration) to maximize the repair signals the Rejuran PDRN provides. You’re actively investing in stronger, healthier, more resilient skin for the long haul. The improvements you see now are just the start – Stage 3 is about locking those gains in for the long term.
Stage 3: Keeping Results Going Strong​​
You’ve invested in your skin’s transformation – now let’s make it last. By ​​weeks 6-8​​, the intense cellular activity from Rejuran stabilizes, and studies confirm collagen regeneration continues evolving for ​​3-6 months​​ post-treatment. Your skin now shows real gains: scars look softer, texture is smoother, and that “rebound glow” settles into resilient health. But protection remains non-negotiable—research shows 80% of UV damage occurs during daily incidental sun exposure, which can unravel new collagen in weeks. Stage 3 shifts focus from repair to ​​strategic preservation​​, blending clinical insights with daily habits that lock in results long-term.
Here’s how to actively sustain your skin’s progress:
- ​​SPF 50+ Is Non-Negotiable—Every. Single. Day.​​
Sun exposure degrades collagen 5x faster than natural aging. Make mineral sunscreen (zinc/titanium oxide) your morning ritual—apply a nickel-sized amount even when indoors. Reapply every 2 hours outdoors, and don’t forget neck/décolletage. For night owls: Blue light from screens still generates free radicals. A vitamin C serum (10-15% L-ascorbic acid) before bed neutralizes this damage. - ​​Re-Introduce Actives Strategically (Not Aggressively)​​
At week 8, most skins tolerate gentle actives:- ​​Hydration First​​: Hyaluronic acid serums on damp skin morning/night before creams. This boosts hydration retention by 200%.
- ​​Collagen Boosters​​: Swap harsh retinols for bakuchiol or 0.3% retinol alternatives 3 nights/week—they stimulate collagen without stripping new tissue.
Avoid high-percentage acids or retinoids until month 4—over-exfoliation disrupts your fragile new barrier.
- ​​Professional Maintenance Truly Matters​​
Clinic data shows ​​90-day follow-ups​​ maximize longevity:- A “Rejuran booster” (â…“ original dose) at month 3 reinforces regeneration—clinicians report 40% better scar improvement with this protocol.
- Pair with non-invasive LED therapy: 20-minute amber/red light sessions 2x/month boost collagen metabolism by 31% (British Journal of Dermatology, 2023).
- ​​Lifestyle Is Your Silent Partner​​
Internal support accelerates external results:- ​​Hydrate Internally​​: Drink 2L water daily + omega-3s (saloon, flaxseed)—they reinforce skin lipids critical for barrier health.
- ​​Nightly Repair Ritual​​: Silk pillowcases reduce friction-induced collagen breakdown. Apply ceramide creams before bed—your skin’s repair mode peaks at midnight.
- ​​Stress Less​​: Cortisol breaks down collagen. Even 10 minutes of daily breathwork cuts inflammatory markers by 17%.
For scars/texture concerns, track monthly progress with ​​clinical self-checks​​:
- ​​Scar Depth​​: Press gently—softening indicates maturing collagen.
- ​​Texture Shifts​​: Shine phone light sideways across skin. Diminishing shadows mean rising collagen levels.
Notice plateaus? Consult your clinician at month 4—not month 6. Proactivity prevents backtracking.
​​Stage 3 isn’t passive—it’s active stewardship.​​ While the injection’s magic peaked earlier, this phase determines whether results fade in 6 months or endure for 18+. By marrying disciplined sun protection, calibrated actives, and professional partnerships, you transform Rejuran’s foundation into lasting skin resilience.