PN Serum vs Hyaluronic Acid Serum After RF Microneedling

After an RF microneedling treatment, the serum your practice applies in the room or sends home is a real product decision. Two types come up most: serums built around PN, a salmon-derived DNA ingredient, and serums built around hyaluronic acid (HA). This guide compares them for med spa providers. It uses the published research we could read and the box text on the two Vitten serums in the IDS Lasers shop, with Vitten PN 10 as the lead product, and it says plainly what the research does not show.

PN stands for polynucleotide, and PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) is a closely related term. A systematic review in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology describes these as derived from purified DNA of salmon or trout gonads. That review covered nine studies and 219 patients, and the studies it covered were injected treatments, not topical serums. Its authors rated the included studies as low to moderate quality and called for larger, better-designed research (Lampridou et al., Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology).

Topical PN is a different question, and the sources are more cautious. A July 2026 Dermatology Times piece on PDRN serums says topical PDRN can be sold as a cosmetic when no medical claims are made, that passive penetration of molecules that large is unlikely, and that any benefit from a topical serum may come more from the humectants in the formula than from the PDRN (Dermatology Times).

Vitten PN 10 uses "PN" in its name, and its box lists "Sodium DNA" extracted from salmon. We use the product's own name and box wording in this article and make no claim about how much DNA is in it or what that DNA does.

Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which means it binds water. In a crosslinked HA, the HA chains are chemically linked to each other. On an ingredient list, that shows up as a name like Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer. Both Vitten serums list Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer-4. The Hydro Plus box says it "plays a vital role in skin moisture with its unique capacity in retaining water."

Two published studies are the closest fit to this question. Neither used a Vitten product or RevaFlux.

A PN serum with RF microneedling (2022). A randomized split-face study in Dermatology and Therapy enrolled 30 women with periorbital wrinkles (Fitzpatrick skin types III to V), and 29 completed it. Everyone had three RF microneedling sessions two weeks apart. After each session, one side of the face received a 0.3% PN serum and the other received saline, each covered with a dressing for one hour. At the two-month follow-up, image analysis showed faster improvement on the PN side, and no serious adverse events were observed. The authors list the small sample as a main limitation, and the funding note says the study was supported by the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, with the device and the medications provided by two companies in Thailand (Yogya et al., 2022).

A crosslinked HA serum after procedures (2018). A split-face study in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology enrolled 24 women, 8 of whom had microneedling (the others had filler or a chemical peel). They applied a crosslinked HA serum twice daily to one side starting two days after the procedure. The serum side showed statistically significant improvement in skin surface topography and hydration compared with the untreated side over the 28-day follow-up, and no adverse events were observed (Sundaram et al., 2018).

Vitten PN 10 Skin Serum is a topical serum from Jetema, sold in a 0.1 fl oz (3 ml) box for $119. Here is what the box says, and nothing more:

• Purpose: the box describes it as formulated with Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer and Sodium DNA extracted from salmon, for a "hydrating, improving and revitalizing effect on aged skin."
• Ingredients: Aqua, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer-4, Sodium DNA, Sodium Chloride, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate.
• Directions: as a basic step in a skin care routine, take an appropriate amount onto the palm, gently apply to the skin, and massage to help absorption.
• Warnings: external use only, keep out of reach of children, avoid the eyes, and discontinue use if irritation or rash occurs.

The box gives general directions, with no procedure-specific timing and no count of applications per box. Build per-patient cost from how you dispense it.

PN 10 is a topical serum. It is not an injectable, and we do not describe it as one.