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By now, you've probably heard about salmon sperm facials, likely because they are a favourite among celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, and Kim Kardashian. Some people might get the ick thinking about what they entail, but searches online for the treatments have increased 67% YoY for the fishy facial. But what exactly is a salmon sperm facial, and is sea skin care set to rise in 2026? We already have lots of skincare that includes seaweed, maybe it's time to delve deeper into the oceans for better skin? To find out what a salmon sperm facial is, we spoke with the experts to get the lowdown. Salmon Sperm Facials Dr Nikita Desai, a medical doctor at the Harley Street Skin Clinic, says that despite its strange-sounding name, salmon sperm facials are a very effective and simple procedure. She says, 'A salmon sperm facial is a popular skincare treatment that’s been turning heads in the aesthetic world over the last year, both for its street name and its popularity among celebrities. It uses DNA molecules extracted from salmon to repair and rejuvenate the skin. The treatment can be applied in a few different ways, from small microinjections to topically during a facial.' But Why Salmon Sperm? For the queasy type, Dr Nikita explains the benefits of salmon sperm and how it interacts with the skin's biology to make it perform better and look younger. 'What differentiates a salmon sperm facial from other treatments is the fact that it’s rooted in science, as it makes use of polynucleotides, which come from salmon DNA,' she says. 'Polynucleotides are made from long chains of nucleotides, which are the building blocks of both DNA and RNA (similar to DNA). When these chains are introduced to your skin, they can lead to a number of benefits.' What Are The Benefits? Dr Nikita explains what benefits to expect. She says 'The treatment stimulates collagen and elastin production and healing of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation due to acne or sun damage. It also moisturises your skin, making it look plumper and more radiant. Plus, these molecules reduce inflammation, irritation, and redness, increase skin elasticity, giving you a more youthful appearance.' 'Almost anybody can have this type of treatment, all that we check is that you’re not pregnant or breastfeeding, and that you have no reported fish allergies. A shellfish allergy can sometimes be a concern, but most people can benefit from the procedure, and there have been no reported long-term complications from it.' Why Celebrities Love It As lots of celebrities love it, we asked Dr Nikita why she thinks that is. She says, 'We find that celebrities tend to lean towards this procedure for a few reasons. The treatment itself can be completed within 30 minutes to an hour and requires minimal downtime, which is key to those with busy schedules.' 'Then, as for the treatment itself, it delivers a very natural type of rejuvenation due to the science behind it, because the polynucleotides boost skin rejuvenation from within. This means you can achieve a youthful, radiant look that boosts collagen and skin elasticity without the need to freeze the face or fill certain areas. Making it the perfect treatment that will have your appearance looking camera-ready in no time.
