A combination of good genetics and a meticulous skincare regime has warded off the hands of time on my face, which has very few wrinkles for my age. But as ever, there's a caveat: stopping skincare at my jawline for many years and being a side-sleeper has taken its toll, and I'm now the first in line for any neck rejuvenation procedures launching into the aesthetics market.

Enter Ameela, a relatively new skin boosting treatment transforming the faces of patients at The Clinic in West London and administered by EV Expert, Aesthetician and part-time NHS Consultant Dr Jenny Doyle. Also known as polynucleotides or PNs, Ameela sounded just the ticket for my concerns.

The rise of polynucleotides

With the recent rise in consumers searching for more natural, not so obvious alternatives to injectables such as dermal fillers and botulinum toxin, polynucleotides are fast becoming the go-to treatment as they work at a cellular level to rejuvenate, tighten, restore tone and reduce fine lines and dark circles. While both give subtle results, polynucleotides are not to be confused with Profhilo which is more of a skin hydrator.

"As an industry we are seeing a market shift away from the traditional toxin and fillers," reveals The Clinic's Chief Operating Officer Dr Doyle. "This is reflected in figures showing the filler industry has contracted by about 30 per cent recently."

She believes that patients are becoming much more interested in treatments providing natural results to enhance the appearance and health of their skin. "Ameela is perfect for this, as it not only improves the quality of the skin by stimulating type 1 collagen production, but takes on a role within regenerative medicine, by mopping up free radicals within the tissue and reducing oxidative stress."

Derived from the DNA of salmon, Ameela is safe for all skin types and tones and can be used in combination with other treatments such as fillers. Injecting PNs into the skin causes bio-structuring in all tissue layers that gives a visible lift after just a few minutes, along with revitalising and skin tightening effects. PNs also stimulate the body’s natural reaction in the generation of collagen, making it a pretty useful anti-ageing tool.

The treatment 

I checked in with Dr Doyle, who also happens to be the head trainer and key opinion leader for Ameela, so I knew I was in safe, highly professional hands. There's not much to the treatment itself – in fact, I was in and out in under 30 minutes, making it an ideal lunchtime tweak. "Being a no downtime procedure with minimal risks or side effects reported has accounted for its popularity amongst both doctors and patients alike," she says.

Ameela can be used on the face and neck and the treatment protocol is two sessions, spaced two weeks apart. Dr Doyle focused on my neck, working quickly in a bespoke manner into the necklace lines and the submental (under the chin) area to tighten it up. "We wanted to target those deeper neck wrinkles, so I injected small amounts of the product directly around these areas of concern to pump up collagen and soften the lines," shared Dr Doyle.

No numbing cream was used, and as the very small needle made contact with my skin, the sensation felt like fleeting bee stings – ouchy but not terrible. Within minutes it was all over. Immediately after my skin was red and swollen, with the swelling lasting around two-three days (a normal reaction), and I was thankful that it was turtleneck season so I didn't need to reveal my skin on the way home. I also developed some small bruises, again a normal post procedure reaction and pretty normal for me, but not a given for every patient.

Three weeks later I was back for round two; Dr Doyle used exactly the same technique and amount – 2ml of Ameela Rejuvenation which contains 20mg/ml of polynucleotides. This time round I seemed to bruise a little more than before, but they only lasted a few days.

Results are said to be seen within one week – personally, I think it took a bit longer to see a difference – and the visible effects last for 8-9 months.

The verdict

I've seen a definite improvement in the depth of my necklace lines, while my neck overall appears smoother and more even in tone, even a little tighter. I would consider having the treatment again, but definitely in the winter months in preparation for a summer reveal.