It happens to our hair and nails, but above all, to our skin: post-summer, skin always seems to be crying out for a reset.
Months of sun, travel and thrown-together routines (including our skincare) mean it's hardly surprising to hit September with a touch of dehydration, dark spots and depleted collagen levels.
The good news? There's a treatment, PDRN, that's trending with celebrities and skin care fans alike that can help your skin recover from the summer sun and fun. We went to the experts to find out, what is PDRN and what mature skin care issues does it help solve?
We also wanted to know: what's the difference between topical "salmon sperm" skin care products loved by stars like Kris Jenner, 70, and the medical-aesthetic treatment that promises to transform your skin from the very first session?
© Getty ImagesThe 4 major ways summer weather damages your skin barrier
"Summer puts significant stress on the skin. Although a tan might give the illusion of a healthy glow, biologically speaking, there’s a loss of hydration, a breakdown of collagen, and a surge in oxidative damage that needs tackling as soon as possible," explains aesthetic doctor Dr Mar Mira. Given these compound effects, she notes that post-summer treatments in September should focus on four key goals:
- Restoring hydration: "Often, the most noticeable improvement isn't smoothing a wrinkle, but restoring the dewiness and radiance lost over the summer," says Dr Mira. Weeks of high temperatures and sun exposure can leave cellular hydration at rock bottom—making rehydration your top post-summer priority.
- Targeting dark spots: Sun-induced hyperpigmentation is the main reason for aesthetic consultations after the holidays. However, as Dr Mira highlights: "Not all pigmentation shares the same cause. Before treating it, a medical diagnosis is essential to choose the right path." Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), standard laser, and CO2 laser treatments are clinic staples, which can be boosted at home using daily vitamin C and antioxidants.
- Boosting collagen: UV rays—much like the glycation caused by sugar—degrade collagen, the protein responsible for keeping skin firm and supple. This is why your skin might feel slightly less toned now than it did in June, a loss that becomes noticeably more pronounced from our early thirties onwards.
- Recapturing that "rested" look: Despite winding down on holiday, sun exposure and tanning can end up making skin look flat and dull. Plus, if you drifted away from your usual skincare regimen over the break, your face might now be wearing a slightly greyish veil.
© Getty ImagesWhat is PDRN? The celebrity-favourite treatment explained
These post-summer effects are even more apparent on mature skin, which demands consistent care and an extra moisture surge to maintain its bounce and glow. While prioritising where to start might feel overwhelming, aesthetic medicine—and cosmetic formulation—is shifting towards multi-tasking treatments that tackle several concerns at once. Enter PDRN: one of the most sought-after protocols right now, and a standout choice for this time of year.
"Topical PDRN stays primarily on the surface—it hydrates, soothes, and helps reinforce the skin barrier," explains Dr Rita Seco. When administered via injections or microneedling, "it penetrates the dermis, where it can genuinely drive tissue repair"
Aesthetic specialist Dr Rita Sêco explains that PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) is "a compound made up of purified DNA fragments that actively participate in tissue repair."
In clinical aesthetics, it is typically derived from salmon or trout DNA. In topical cosmetics—where PDRN, as used by the likes of Kaley Cuoco and Kris Jenner is currently taking K-beauty by storm—plant-based, vegan alternatives harvested from fruits and flowers are gaining traction.
© Getty"PDRN doesn't just hydrate or provide antioxidants; it acts directly on cellular repair," states Dr Sêco. This makes it an ideal post-summer intervention to address all four key concerns. However, she stresses that topical application through creams or serums won't yield the same results as a clinical aesthetic procedure.
"Topical PDRN stays primarily on the surface—it hydrates, soothes, and helps reinforce the skin barrier," she clarifies. In contrast, when administered via injections or microneedling, "it penetrates the dermis, where it can genuinely drive tissue repair."
For a complete post-summer reset, she recommends PDRN mesotherapy, where micro-injections deposit the active compound directly into the dermis where it's needed most.
