The Beauty Standard with Dr. Roy Kim

The Truth About Salmon DNA Injections, Awake Plastic Surgery, and More! | The Beauty Standard with Dr. Roy Kim

• Dr. Roy Kim

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Join Dr. Roy Kim, a board-certified plastic surgeon, as he explores the latest trends in aesthetics on The Beauty Standard. In this episode, learn about salmon DNA injections, their benefits, and legal status in different countries. Discover the reality behind awake plastic surgery and how to ensure your safety. Demystify your first Botox experience, understand the nuances of injectables for different skin tones, and get the scoop on undetectable facelifts. Lastly, hear about Drake’s rumored plastic surgery and the influence of curated social media images on self-perception. Stay informed and make safe, personalized choices in your beauty journey.

00:00 Introduction to the Beauty Standard
00:37 The Hype and Reality of Salmon DNA Injections
02:50 Awake Plastic Surgery: Myths and Facts
03:47 First-Time Botox: What to Expect
05:04 Undetectable Facelifts: The Truth
05:55 Drake and the Social Media Illusion
06:26 FAQs and Final Thoughts

Links of the sources:

  • WSJ on Rejuran trend (paywalled; consider adding an archived link in notes). (Wall Street Journal)
  • Forbes on PharmaResearch/Rejuran market surge. (Forbes)
  • Regulatory/context on PN in the U.S. (transdermal use; not FDA-cleared for facial injection). (MEDICA DEPOT)
  • NewBeauty on “awake” procedures & safety mindset. (NewBeauty)
  • ASPS overview on awake vs. general anesthesia—benefits, limits. (American Society of Plastic Surgeons)
  • Marie Claire: first-time Botox walkthrough (dose, 15–20 injections, 3–5 days onset, 2-week full effect). (Marie Claire UK)
  • Essence: Sculptra + Botox for melanated skin; aftercare massage; provider selection. (Essence)
  • The Cut: ‘Forever-35 Face,’ deep-plane vs. SMAS debate; technique, risks, costs. (The Cut)
  • E! Online: Drake denies surgery; admits photo editing. (E! Online)


Thank you for tuning in to this week's episode of "The Beauty Standard" with Dr. Roy Kim! If you enjoyed this episode, please make sure to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you the latest insights in aesthetic medicine and beauty trends.

Connect with us on social media on Instagram - @drroykim - or X - @drroykim- for more exclusive content, behind-the-scenes looks, and expert advice from Dr. Kim. Feel free to submit your questions or suggestions for future episodes – we'd love to hear from you!

Join us next week as we explore another fascinating topic in the world of beauty, and remember: your body, your choice, your standard!

Speaker 1:

Welcome to the Beauty Standard with Dr Roy Kim. So today we're going to be talking about the salmon DNA injection. Everyone's flying to Seoul, korea, for the truth about so-called awake plastic surgery, why undetectable facelifts are trending, what a first Botox visit really looks like, and a quick pop culture detour with Drake and those avs rumors. So welcome back to the Beauty Standard with Dr Roy Kim. I'm Dr Roy Kim board-certified plastic surgeon in San Francisco and Beverly Hills. This show is your concise, hype-free guide to aesthetics and the latest in the world of beauty. You can definitely follow and rate the show on Spotify. The link is in the show notes. So the first segment is on Regeron hype, science and reality. Let's start with Regeron, the skin booster that you've probably heard about that's just landed a splashy feature about women flying to South Korea for treatment. This is technically PN polynucleotide. It's an injectable and it's derived from salmon S-E-M-E-N DNA that's placed in the dermis to stimulate repair and texture in your skin over time. So think of collagen support rather than filler-like volume, and in fact it does not give you more volume. It definitely supports your skin. In Korea it's extremely mainstream. You'll see versions like Regeron Healer, regeron for the eye area, regeron mixed with HA filler and more. So what about the business story? Regeron's popularity has even created a new billionaire, of course, the CEO of the company at his parent company, pharma Research. So the demand is very real. Now this is the USA reality check, and I've spoken about this many times on social media Injectable polynucleotide the red that's injectable for facial rejuvenation is not FDA cleared in the United States.

Speaker 1:

So in the US when they talk about salmon-derived Regeron, legally they can talk about PDRN. This is a topical form of the same product, not quite as robust, still works nicely with microneedling or RF microneedling. You can use it topically, but you're not supposed to inject it. If you want true microinjection protocols, you definitely have to go abroad. Specifically, korea and a couple other countries have approved Regeron for injectable use. If you're really considering it in the US, you can ask very annoying questions to your injector or med spa. Be very clear on whether it's FDA approved or not for injection, as well as whether it's the PDRN form, which is fine, but it's not meant to be injected. You may also want to ask questions about where exactly they got their product. And two practical notes that you should know Downtime usually includes visible micropapules, in other words, sort of like red little balloons for a day or two all over your face and neck Pain has been a barrier. In other words, one newer Korean formulation does add lidocaine to reduce injection discomfort. So if you do travel, you want to confirm that the clinic you're seeing has the correct credentials and that it's authentic product.

Speaker 1:

So the next segment is awake plastic surgery. What's real versus marketing? You may have heard of awake liposuction, facelifts and others. The appeal to a patient is pretty obvious Fewer anesthesia meds, faster bounce back, lower cost. But it is not a one-size-fits-all. This new beauty piece hits key safety points. Don't let price drive your decision. Your procedure is unique to you and you should really figure out what's best for you, as well as your patient's safety, specifically your overall health and safety. Next, verify your surgeon's training. If a center is the cheapest on the block, you may want to know why. Choose board-certified plastic surgeons working in accredited centers. My take Awake anesthesia can be great for the right case with the right team and the right patient, but many operations still belong under deeper sedation or general anesthesia. This is really about matching your anesthesia plan to your procedure and your health and not the other way around.

Speaker 1:

Next up. First time Botox demystified. A Marie Claire editor documented her first Botox at the age of 37. This article shows that play-by-play is spot on Consult mapping 15 to 20 tiny injections for standard upper face treatment and out the door in minutes. Early effects were seen in 3-5 days, with the full result at 2 weeks. Longevity, especially for a first-time injection, is about 3-4 months and definitely avoid pressure saunas or intense workouts for about 24 hours. The author also highlighted good questions credentials, dosing, philosophy, follow-ups and whether baby or preventative Botox is even appropriate for you. Remember individualization and your anatomy. They're much greater than slogans. Have you ever considered injectables for darker skin tones, such as Sculptra and Botox? The author in a recent Essence magazine piece, profiled a black beauty editor who added Sculptra to her usual Botox injections. Sculptra is a collagen simulator which have gradual results, and this piece underscores that technique that respects melanin-rich skin can minimize trauma, anticipate pigment response and commit to the classic 5x5 massage to help reduce nodule risk. This is a great example and wonderful article on tailoring a plan, the correct product and aftercare to the patient and not following a trend.

Speaker 1:

Can we really have undetectable facelifts and is there really a difference between the deep plane versus the SMAS In the cut. An interesting big feature article frames what patients are asking for. They want to look lifted, refreshed and hard to spot. Deep plane techniques where surgeons release retaining ligaments and move the SMAS's unit can produce very natural vectors and better midface support in the correct hands. Some plastic surgeons also describe submantibular gland work for neck definition, which raises complexity and risk. Cost for elite work can exceed 60 to 70k. When combined with neck and skin resurfacing there's an important balance. Veteran plastic surgeons argue great SMAS facelifts have always been undetectable and that outcomes hinge more on plastic surgeon judgment than the label of the technique.

Speaker 1:

The translation for you. Definitely look for experience, consistent results and choose a plastic surgeon whose overall aesthetic matches yours. Finally, because I know you love Drake my patients have brought this up Drake has publicly denied having ab etching or BBL, has joked about his name, the BBL Drizzy and admitted he cranked the face tune on a sweaty gym selfie, so he doesn't really look like that is. Admitted, he cranked the face tune on a sweaty gym selfie, so he doesn't really look like that is so he says. It's a useful reminder that obviously social media photos can be curated, lighted and edited and they may or may not be 100% real. In general, don't compare yourself to others, of course, but comparing yourself to a social media feed is a losing game.

Speaker 1:

Next up are some FAQ questions. Is Regeron injectable legal in the US right now? No, so it is not FDA cleared for facial injection. In the US you can get Regeron topical, which is technically not PN. It is called PDRN polydeoxyribonucleotide. Nothing wrong with it. Works great.

Speaker 1:

Not meant to be injected and should not be injected. So make sure you verify claims. Understand the difference before you book anything with your injector, your med spa, your plastic surgeon. Who's a candidate for weight procedures? Select patients for select operations. Many surgeries are still safest and smoothest under general anesthesia. Decide with your plastic surgeon and not necessarily with just social media.

Speaker 1:

What's a realistic Botox timeline? The early effect is typically three to five days, with the full result by two weeks. Typically it lasts three to four months and individual dosing and follow-up are key to getting the best results. Are undetectable facelifts real? Yes, Across various techniques, when tissue is repositioned correctly and the tension is deep underneath the skin and not in the skin, surgeon skill is the constant. If you liked today's episode, please follow me on Spotify and share it with a friend. You can always find the actual articles that I'm talking about in the show notes. Thanks so much for joining me, dr Roy Kim, on the Beauty Standard. Stay curious, stay safe and I'll see you next time. Thank you for listening to the Beauty Standard with Dr Roy Kim. Make sure to follow for future topics and episodes.