Clinical Overview of AQ Advanced Hair Complex+: A Growth Factor–Based Mesotherapy Approach to Androgenetic Alopecia & Non-Scarring Hair Loss

AQ Advanced Hair Complex+ (AQ Skin Solutions, USA) is a growth factor–rich, non-hormonal injectable/mesotherapy serum designed to support follicular regeneration, restore hair cycling, and improve hair density in patients with androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, and non-scarring alopecia.

This technical review provides clinicians with a detailed understanding of its composition, biological mechanism, clinical applications, and treatment protocols.

1. Composition & Active Biomolecules

AQ Advanced Hair Complex+ contains Human Fibroblast Conditioned Media (HFCM), which is a controlled blend of recombinant growth factors secreted by cultured human fibroblasts under GMP conditions.

Key Growth Factors & Their Roles

Growth Factor	Mechanism of Action	Clinical Benefit
VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor)	Angiogenesis, increased perifollicular circulation	Enhances follicular nutrition & oxygenation
IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor-1)	Promotes follicular proliferation, prolongs anagen phase	Increases hair shaft diameter & density
KGF (Keratinocyte Growth Factor)	Keratinocyte stimulation	Strengthens shaft structure & improves quality
bFGF (Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor)	Stem cell activation; dermal papilla stimulation	Supports growth of miniaturised follicles

Additionally, the formula contains proprietary peptides, cytokines, and bioactive proteins that support:

• Anti-inflammatory activity

• Improved ECM (extracellular matrix) turnover

• Follicular stem cell microenvironment repair

2. Scientific Rationale: Why Growth Factors?

Androgenetic alopecia involves:

• Follicular miniaturisation

• Reduced anagen phase

• Microinflammation

• Decreased perifollicular vascularity

• Stem cell niche impairment

Growth factors address these pathological changes at the cellular level.

AQ Mechanism of Action Summary in Hair Mesotherapy

1. Upregulation of anagen-related signalling pathways (Wnt/β-catenin).

2. Activation of dermal papilla cells, reversing miniaturisation.

3. Increased perifollicular angiogenesis via VEGF.

4. Reduction of inflammatory mediators around follicles.

5. Enhanced keratinocyte activity, improving hair thickness.

6. Acceleration of cell turnover and ECM repair in the scalp.

This positions AQ Hair Complex+ as a regenerative therapy rather than a cosmetic solution.

3. Indications for Use

Primary Indications

• Androgenetic alopecia (male & female pattern) — Grade I–IV

• Telogen effluvium (subacute & chronic)

• Age-related hair thinning

• Diffuse hair loss due to stress, illness, or nutritional causes

Adjunctive Indications

• Post-hair transplant for graft survival & density enhancement

• Post-laser or microneedling scalp rejuvenation

• PRP-resistant cases

• Patients intolerant to minoxidil or finasteride

Patient Selection

Best suited for:

• Early–moderate alopecia

• Non-cicatricial hair loss

• Patients seeking non-hormonal solutions

• Patients preferring predictable, standardised biologics over autologous PRP

• Individuals unwilling/unfit for pharmacological therapies

4. Clinical Protocol

In-Clinic Treatment Protocol

• Total sessions: 5

• Interval: Every 14 days

• Dose: 1 vial (6 ml) per session

• Administration:

  • Microneedling (0.5–1.0 mm scalp depth) OR

  • Nappage mesotherapy technique

Adjunctive Therapies

• Low-level laser therapy (LLLT)

• Oral nutraceuticals (biotin, antioxidants, amino acids)

• Minoxidil (optional depending on patient compliance)

• PRP (alternate sessions in resistant cases)

Maintenance

• 1 session every 3–4 months, depending on severity

5. Expected Clinical Outcomes

Timeline of Response

Timeframe	Clinical Observation
2–3 weeks	Reduced shedding, improved scalp quality
4–6 weeks	Increased hair anchoring, early anagen conversion
8–12 weeks	Visible baby hair growth, improved density
12–16 weeks	Increased volume, improved shaft thickness & coverage

Quantitative Improvements (based on available literature & real-world users)

• 20–40% reduction in shedding by week 4

• 15–30% increase in density by week 12

• Improved hair calibre and tensile strength

6. Advantages Over PRP & Conventional Mesotherapy

PRP Limitations

• Variability in platelet concentration

• Dependent on patient health

• Pain & downtime

• Not suitable for all patients (anemia, low platelet count)

AQ Advantages

• Standardised concentration of growth factors

• Predictable, reproducible outcomes

• Higher purity and no inflammatory proteins

• Minimal discomfort

• No dependence on patient physiology

Compared to mesotherapy cocktails (vitamins/peptides), AQ offers bio-identical signalling molecules that act directly on the follicular microenvironment.

7. Safety Profile

AQ Hair Complex+ demonstrates an excellent safety profile:

• Non-hormonal

• Non-cytotoxic

• No systemic absorption

• No risk of allergic reactions (biocompatible proteins)

• Minimal erythema post-application

Common but minor and transient reactions:

• Mild redness

• Temporary scalp sensitivity

• Microneedling-induced pinpoint bleeding

No long-term adverse effects have been reported in literature or real-world usage.

8. Combination Protocols of AQ Hair Mesotherapy for Enhanced Results

1. AQ + PRP (Sequential Therapy)

Ideal for resistant androgenetic alopecia.PRP stimulates platelets; AQ provides consistent regenerative signalling.

2. AQ + LLLT

Improves microcirculation and ATP production; enhances growth factor uptake.

3. AQ + Exosomes (High-end clinics)

Synergistic regenerative effect for advanced alopecia.

4. AQ Post-Transplant Protocol

• Start at week 3–4 post-transplant

• 3 sessions recommended. Improves graft survival and vascularisation.

9. Contraindications

• Active scalp infections

• Active dermatitis/psoriasis flare

• Pregnant or lactating patients (precautionary)

• Recent use of isotretinoin (<6 months)

• Known hypersensitivity to microneedling

The product itself has no known allergenic triggers.

10. Clinical Summary

AQ Advanced Hair Complex+ hair mesotherapy offers doctors a scientifically grounded, non-hormonal, reproducible, and patient-compliant solution for managing early-to-moderate hair loss.

It excels in:

• Follicular regeneration

• Density improvement

• Reduction of hair shedding

• Enhancing anagen phase duration

• Improving hair shaft quality

• Supporting post-transplant healing

Its growth factor technology fills a crucial gap between pharmaceutical treatments (minoxidil/finasteride) and autologous biologics (PRP) — providing a high-value, standardised, and safer alternative.