On a recent episode of "The Kardashians," Kim Kardashian revealed that she tried a new beauty protocol: "I got a salmon sperm facial with salmon sperm injected into my face."
Technically called salmon PDRN, (which stands for polydeoxyribonucleotides), this ingredient is extracted from the sperm cells of salmon, not the sperm itself.
After the sperm is harvested, it is filtered, purified and sterilized to create a product that can be injected or applied topically. As detailed by National Geographic, it is common practice in salmon hatcheries to harvest salmon sperm, which requires a scientist to squeeze a salmon in the right spot. Salmon are not harmed during this process.
This procedure has been popular in Korea for several years but not until somewhat recently have studies come out to show the value to this treatment.
What science says: Salmon PDRN is highly anti-inflammatory and helps wound healing. It also stimulates elasticity of the skin and boosts collagen production in our skin. Further, studies show it helps our skin produce more hyaluronic acid and is very bio-compatible to human DNA which is why it is lauded for being safe and effective.
There are a ton of studies going on now for a multitude of options for how this can be used not only in cosmetics but in plastics.
Those who seek out cruelty-free beauty and vegan skincare and treatments though, this is not for you.
Is it worthwhile? I am on the fence. I have not tried this and tend to opt for plant based ingredients. I am thinking about doing a small test run of PDRN treatments with nano-needling and see if it is actually worth our time and energy.
What do you think? Is this something you want to try?