PDRN for Hair Loss Is Trending—but Can ‘Salmon DNA’ Really Help Thinning Hair?
See the side effects, what the research shows and what to look for in products
Key Takeaways
- PDRN shows early promise for helping increase hair count and hair thickness.
- Experts recommend talking to a doctor before trying PDRN treatments for hair loss.
- Look for PDRN products that clearly list their source, concentration and purity testing.
If you’re tired of seeing more and more strands in your hairbrush or the shower drain, there’s a new treatment in the game: PDRN, aka salmon DNA. While it’s popular in anti-aging skincare products, it’s recently been making waves in dermatology research and even popping up in new hair products. But does PDRN actually help reverse hair loss? We asked experts to break down the science behind the trendy ingredient, plus share what to look for if you want to try it yourself.
What causes hair loss?
One day you’re looking at the hair in the mirror and loving what you see, and the next you notice sparse spots or a widening part. This sudden change can feel like it came out of nowhere, and you find yourself wondering why.
“The most common cause is hereditary hair loss, where hair follicles gradually become smaller and produce finer, shorter hairs over time,” explains Mike Ellis, DO, a licensed internal medicine physician and the medical director of Keep Glowing Medical Spa in Tinton Falls, NJ.
Dr. Ellis adds that additional causes of hair loss include:
- Stress or illness
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Hormonal changes
- Autoimmune conditions
- Medications
New research on PDRN for hair loss
“PDRN stands for polydeoxyribonucleotide,” says Keith Kantor, PhD, ND, trichologist and clinical director of Regen Therapeutic. “It is a mixture of small DNA fragments, most commonly purified from salmon-family fish. The theory is not that fish DNA somehow becomes human hair. Rather, these fragments appear to act as biological signals and building blocks that may support tissue repair.”
A new Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology review highlighted promising research on PDRN for hair loss. In a study of 40 women with female pattern hair loss, the group of 20 women who received weekly 2 mL PDRN injections alone for 12 weeks saw a 17.9 percent increase in hair count and a 13.5 percent increase in hair thickness.
So does this new research mean PDRN is the hair-loss solution you’ve been waiting for? Not quite. “PDRN has an interesting biologic rationale and early data, but I would not let it delay diagnosis or replace treatments with much stronger evidence,” says Shamsa Kanwal, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Aesthetic Evolution Skin and Laser Clinic.
What to know before trying PDRN
We get it. When any new exciting beauty product hits the market it can be tempting to open your wallet now and ask questions later, but safety is key.
Before you go visit a wellness spa to get a PDRN injection or try a needle-free PDRN serum online, speak to your dermatologist about whether PDRN is a good fit for you. “PDRN has generally been well tolerated in the limited studies available, but long-term hair-loss safety data are still lacking,” says Dr. Kanwal.
She adds that anyone experiencing a severely inflamed or broken scalp, psoriasis, scarring or significant dermatitis should treat the condition first. Injectable treatments carry the risks of swelling, pain, bruising and infection, which could be exacerbated by one of those conditions.
Interested in the scalp serum route? Kantor recommends patch testing a topical PDRN product on a small area of skin, especially for someone with sensitive skin or a history of skin reactions, as topical PDRN could cause itching, burning, redness, dryness or even contact dermatitis.
Dr. Ellis also cautions around products containing menthol, alcohol or fragrance, as they can cause scalp dryness, itching, redness, irritation as well. He also cautions against using self-administered PDRN injections at home.
How to boost hair growth with PDRN
If your doctor gives you the go-ahead to give PDRN a try for hair loss, we asked our experts for a few helpful tips to maximize your results:
Look for this on the label
A quick search for “PDRN for hair loss” brings up a ton of products claiming they include PDRN, so where should you start? “Look for a product that clearly identifies PDRN or polydeoxyribonucleotide rather than using vague phrases such as salmon complex or DNA technology,” says Kantor. “The manufacturer should disclose the source, concentration, lot number, expiration date and quality or purity testing. It should also provide a complete ingredient list and come in packaging that limits contamination.”
Don’t overdo it
As you decide which PDRN product to give a try, you’ll likely encounter products with different amounts of PDRN. But is more always better? “There isn’t really a specific amount or concentration of PDRN that you need to look for, so I wouldn’t necessarily say that more is better,” confirms Dr. Ellis. You should also stick to the specific directions of whatever products you choose for quantity and frequency, adds Dr. Ellis.
Consider this doctor-backed option
Ultimately, you’ll have to do your own research to decide which PDRN product makes the most sense for you, but Dr. Ellis shares one product recommendation that could be helpful (he’s not affiliated with the brand).
“The VT COSMETICS PDRN Reedle Shot Brush Hair Serum, which contains vegan PDRN and caffeine, could be a good option for those looking to try out PDRN,” says Dr. Ellis. “It also uses a spicule complex—microscopic, needle-shaped particles that create tiny, temporary disruptions in the skin’s outer barrier to help other ingredients penetrate—to gently exfoliate the scalp.” He explains that vegan PDRN is typically a plant-derived alternative to traditional PDRN, but it can contain ingredients such as silk amino acids and propolis, which can be derived from animal products. “It has a built-in brush applicator that makes it easy to apply directly to the scalp, and it’s lightweight so it shouldn’t leave the scalp feeling greasy.”
The bottom line on PDRN for hair loss
New research, our experts and glowing reviews from customers who have tried PDRN-based products suggest that the viral ingredient really does show promise for helping with hair loss. But as Dr. Kanwal says, “‘Promising’ and ‘proven’ are not the same thing.” So if you get the go-ahead from your doctor to give PDRN a try, it could be helpful—just don’t rule out tried-and-true hair loss products like minoxidil (the gold-standard at-home treatment for hair loss) too.
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