PhilArt – the New Polynucleotide Filler from Croma
Recently, in my blog, I shared my first experiences with the new polynucleotide filler, Juvenus, by Croma. That was just 2 months ago. Today, Croma announced ahead of the IMCAS aesthetic conference that they will be launching a new product line of polynucleotide fillers called PhilArt.
Although the communication to healthcare professionals does not mention the discontinuation of Juvenus, I was informed by company insiders during our conversation that it will be discontinued. One indication of this change is that Juvenus is no longer displayed on Croma’s product pages on their website.
I was also informed that the new PhilArt product portfolio would have a broader range of applications than the previous Juvenus. This is evident from the product images that Croma included in today’s announcement.
PhilArt for Skin and Hair
As I mentioned in my blog article about Croma Juvenus, it was one of the early aesthetic applications of polymerized polynucleotides, also known as polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRN). PDRN is derived from salmon DNA and has several medically interesting properties.
It has anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects, promotes bone regeneration, and stimulates angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels). PDRN also enhances cellular activity, collagen synthesis, and the regeneration of soft tissue. The Croma Juvenus filler additionally had a hydrophilic effect, making it suitable for injecting and hydrating the skin in areas like the neck or décolleté, similar to a hyaluronic acid-based skin booster.
In the official product information, Croma Juvenus was presented as a filler for wrinkle treatment. However, in my blog article, I described it as having a primary interest in its regenerative effects on the skin, especially after repeated applications.
In short, I saw Juvenus as more of an alternative to PRP than to hyaluronic acid. Due to its slight augmentative effect, it would be excellent for injecting and treating dark under-eye circles. For this particular treatment, a filler with less water-binding capacity to avoid swelling would be preferred, while still benefiting from its regenerative and collagen-stimulating properties to provide a bit more thickness and structure to the thin and delicate under-eye area.
Unfortunately, according to the package insert, Juvenus was contraindicated for this specific application. This was a significant drawback and medically incomprehensible, considering that the use of PDRN for this purpose is common in countries like Korea or the UK.
PDRN for Dark Circles Under the Eyes
It seems that Croma also recognized this, as the new PhilArt range apparently includes a specific variant for injecting the eye area. This appears to be the actual innovation that I am genuinely excited about. Treating dark under-eye circles through injections can be a complex and not always successful endeavor, so any new developments in this area are welcome.
What I find interesting is that, based on the above product representations, the regenerative properties are now being highlighted more prominently, whereas Juvenus was primarily marketed as a filler for wrinkle treatment. PhilArt seems to be positioned alongside PRP in terms of its primary benefits. This is also evident in the creation of a dedicated product for hair treatment.
Whether and in which cases this makes sense will be determined by practical experience. However, PRP will still retain its compelling unique selling point: it is derived from the patient’s own blood and is therefore free from any foreign substances. This makes it extremely low-risk, especially for individuals with allergies.
PDRN, on the other hand, is derived from fish cells. Which theoretically raises the possibility of allergies. Of course, these fish cells are highly purified during the manufacturing process, minimizing the presence of fish protein residues. However, it is worth noting that similar arguments have been made about hyaluronic acid fillers. They are produced by bacteria, and the rare but apparent occurrences of residues in the product are suspected to be responsible for delayed allergic reactions that often occur months or years after injection.
In any case, it is an intriguing announcement of a promising product. In my practice in Munich, I will continue to focus on the application of these products on the neck and décolleté. I certainly shall also try out the new “Eye” product for treating dark under-eye circles. I will report on my experiences in my blog.
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About the Author:
Dr. med. univ. Eva Maria Strobl is the owner of LIPS and SKIN Aesthetic Medicine practice in Munich. She is a trained specialist in general medicine (MedUni Vienna) and has over 10 years of specialization in non-surgical aesthetic procedures. She is a member of the German Society for Aesthetic Botulinum Therapy e.V. (DGBT), the German Society of Anti-Aging Medicine e.V. (GSAAM) and of Network Global Health. She publishes regularly on her blog and on DocCheck.
Sources of This Article:
Croma, PhilArt professional information for physicians and press release
