I can tell you for certain that a salmon sperm facial wasn’t on my 2024 bingo card, yet there I was, sitting in the car with five minutes to spare, frantically messaging my best friend, concerned that my firstborn might have gills if I went through with this Kardashian-approved, FDA unapproved procedure. 

I had been fascinated by the latest Korean skincare fad since discussing it at length over tuna tostadas with friends a month earlier. Particularly intrigued by the fact that fish even have sperm, let alone it being the key to a youthful appearance. So, when the offer popped up in our FQ group chat, my curiosity piqued. 

I’d been flirting with the idea of starting Botox since my mid-twenties when ‘prevention is key’ was the common thread of advice, yet having missed that boat and now in my early thirties, maybe salmon sperm was the ‘organic’ alternative I’d been looking for? “With Rejuran, it’s all about healing,” Kai Cuff, founder of Kaiz Skin Body & Injectable Clinic, told me as we went through the consultation process while I sipped my antioxidant tea. 

“Where other treatments like filler and Profhilo focus on adding volume or stimulating collagen, Rejuran uses polynucleotides derived from salmon sperm DNA to repair and regenerate what’s already inside. Our skin takes on so much sun damage being in the southern hemisphere that it starts losing its ability to communicate, which is why we see issues like pigmentation, rough texture, and fine lines so early — losing one per cent of collagen every year from our twenties onwards. And by the time you hit menopause you’re losing approximately six per cent every year! This treatment helps restore that communication and repair most skin concerns.” 

“Think of it like gut health,” Kai continued. “If your gut isn’t healthy, it can’t absorb nutrients properly. It’s the same with skin — this treatment prepares it at a cellular level to better absorb other treatments and boosts its own health, rather than just covering up the issues.” 

It sounded like a solid plan: this wasn’t a quick fix I’d initially assumed but a reboot for my skin, working from within to heal and regenerate.

With numbing cream lathered on and a stress ball in hand, registered nurse and cosmetic injector, Arita Lee, finally assured me that Rejuran was Medsafeapproved in New Zealand and sourced from a reputable lab in Australia, which was the affirmation I needed after falling down a TikTok rabbit hole earlier that morning. She explained I might experience some bumps, light bruising, or peeling post-treatment, and results could appear in as little as two weeks, though the deeper effects would take time, and most people needed about three sessions for full benefits. 

Eyes closed, I inhaled as the first injection was administered under my eyes, followed by my cheeks, and lastly, spot areas around my chin to conclude the half-face application. And before I knew it, it was all over. I opened my selfie camera, expecting transformative results, but instead found I looked more like a scaly salmon than anything else. The bumps calmed that evening, but I woke up looking like I’d spent the night crying — thankfully, I didn’t have to see anyone. 

By day three, while out walking with my mum, the swelling had gone down, and I could feel the plumpness in my skin. I was certain I looked 10 years younger — or at least like the “hard-boiled egg effect” I’d heard about. Could this actually be the secret to a true, lasting glow? Only time — and maybe a few more appointments — will tell.