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I’m always transparent with people when they ask me about my favorite facials, lasers or other high-level skincare treatments. As a beauty writer I’ve tried many. And in some cases, I’ve made it through an entire treatment series necessary to see the full results. So, I’m going to be honest with you the way I am with them — I rarely see a difference.
Truthfully, the only lasting noticeable difference I’ve seen with my skin is from use of moderate Botox and fillers. And let me be very clear: I’m over the age of 35. My skin is in a place where injectables (when applied within reason by an Allergan specialist, for example) settle into my skin respectably. I personally notice a difference, but I don’t think the average person would (and I mean that in a good way).
The Lowdown on the Salmon Sperm Facial
That said, when I was pitched a salmon sperm facial from a cutting-edge skincare destination in Hollywood, my interest was piqued. This particular treatment, offered at Formula Fig, is officially called the Longevity Treatment. It’s described as a 60-minute, medical-grade facial “that uses advanced microneedling technology to create tiny microchannels in the skin, prompting a powerful healing response,” according to Formula Fig founder JJ Walsh. “This is bolstered by a potent PDRN serum — ours is also packed with peptides and exosomes — which penetrates very deeply through the channels created by microneedling.”
Salmon sperm facials (made up of DNA extracted from salmon sperm, aka PDRN/Polydeoxyribonucleotide) are the latest of-the-moment treatments that started attracting buzz on TikTok about a year ago, but began trending in recent months. Either way, it obviously meant I needed to try it.
We like
- Noticeable results with just one treatment (perfect lead-up to an event)
- Treatment amplified by even the slightest at-home AHA peel
- Errs on the uncomfortable side versus painful side
- Left me with a natural yet noticeable, lit-from-within glow
We don't like
- Requires a full day of downtime (not painful, but beet red - and applying makeup is discouraged for 24 hours)
- No traces of spray tan can be lingering on the face (the needle imprints can penetrate the tanning formula into the skin)
- Costs $500 per treatment (no service is worth it unless leading up to a major event)
- At least three sessions are recommended for maximized results
Before I get into my experience, let me share a pro tip about injectables: Nothing is more painful than lip injections. So once you’ve done that, your threshold for beauty-related pain minimizes. That doesn’t mean you’re suddenly numb to everything else, but you grin and bear it. So therefore, going into this, I wasn’t nervous about a potentially painful experience. I was curious more than anything.
According to Walsh, upon completion of the treatment, “Collagen and elastin production are boosted, lines and wrinkles are smoothed, acne scarring and hyperpigmentation diminish, and skin looks plumped, firmer and more hydrated.”
Kicking Off My Experience
I walked into a sleek, futuristic, green-designed space in the Sycamore District of Hollywood — a pocket that’s emerged into a mini-beauty and wellness strip. The lobby features rising and cutting-edge skincare brands, divided up by purpose. I was led into a private room and my specialist applied numbing cream. Once that settled for approximately 25 minutes, we began our treatment.
This form of microneedling felt like it was rolling back and forth on my skin, versus the deeper, stamp-like feeling I’ve experienced with other microneedling treatments. Before each “roll,” more of the special serum would be applied to the area. The experience wasn’t comfortable by any means, but I wouldn’t call it the worst pain ever. If you’ve never done this type of thing before, I can see how it may feel a bit uneasy. Just think of each movement as one step closer to a fresh face. The treatment wrapped with LED light therapy to soothe the skin and accelerate recovery.
I asked Walsh to break down microneedling in her own words—especially when it comes to how things are done to execute Formula Fig’s Longevity Treatment.
“Microneedling is a skin treatment that involves creating controlled micro injuries into the skin using ultra-fine needles,” she explained. “The goal is to stimulate the body's natural wound healing process, which promotes collagen and elastin production. Our tool uses a small needle tip that rapidly moves vertically up and down, stamping into the skin with a controlled and repetitive motion. In principle, this is the same as a larger stamping tool used in other treatments, but we find the one we use to be very precise. This allows us to treat smaller, more delicate areas of the skin. It can also be less painful.”
Like most skincare treatments, at least three sessions are recommended for maximized results. But Walsh assured me that even after just one, “People tend to see their skin looking noticeably more radiant with a glass-like glow at about a week post-treatment. And a few weeks later, they’ll see smoother, firmer, more hydrated and even skin. Guests have reported that their pores are less visible, that redness and fine lines diminish.”
At first glance, my face was beet red post-treatment. But that didn’t alarm me at all. It’s pretty common for microneedling or any other penetrative skin treatment. When I got home, I left my skin totally alone until the next day. I didn’t even cleanse. But when I started my healing journey in the morning, it was important to incorporate ceramides (lipids that reduce inflammation and maintain skin barrier) and other ingredients/products that target sensitive or inflamed skin. Among them included, Alastin Skincare Regenerating Skin Nectar, SkinMedica Restorative Ointment and Dr. Barbara Sturm Calming Serum. I was also advised to opt for a gentle cleanser (makes sense!), so of course I reached for my trusty Youth to the People Superfood Gentle Antioxidant cleanser.
Once the redness let up a day later, my skin was truly glowing. Then, after day three, my skin was peeling a little, but not to an extent that kept me from leaving the house. The real magic was evident a week after my treatment. I did a quick, at-home Shani Darden Triple Acid Signature Peel, and boom. My skin looked incredible. The acids swooped up the final remnants of my peeling skin, while giving my skin the added lit-from-within glow. Unfiltered evidence below:
**Note: My skin is naturally red from broken capillaries - the redness isn’t a sign of any skin treatments.
Taking things one step further (not necessary, but can give the treatment an added oomph), I had the opportunity to get a HydraFacial at the ever impressive Terrenea Resort in Los Angeles one month later. The HydraFacial itself already offers a glow, but the tag team of both combined was next level. Now, if only I had a wedding to attend!
