Dr. Ahmed Al-Qahtani

Immunologist & Founder of AQ Skin Solutions

Professor, scientist and immunologist, Dr. Al-Qahtani is also the Founder and President of one of the world’s leading cosmeceutical skincare lines, AQ Skin Solutions. more about https://www.aqskinsolutions.com/about

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About; Growth factors are natural biologically active compounds that stimulate the growth, division (proliferation) and differentiation of living cells.

 

Basic information

Nature: Most often these are proteins (polypeptides) or steroid hormones.

• Function: They act as signaling molecules. By binding to specific receptors on the surface of target cells, growth factors trigger processes of regeneration, wound healing, and tissue development.

• Significance: Necessary to maintain the normal life cycle of cells, form the immune response and restore the integrity of organs.

Examples of key growth factors

1. EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor): Stimulates skin cell renewal, accelerates healing and is often used in anti-aging cosmetics.

2. PDGF (Platelet-Derived Growth Factor): Plays a key role in cell division and blood vessel formation.

3. FGF (Fibroblast Growth Factor): Involved in the regeneration of a wide range of tissues, including muscles, ligaments and bones.

4. IGF (Insulin-like Growth Factor): Regulates muscle and bone growth.

Areas of application

Medicine: Used to treat wounds, burns, and in the treatment of cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

 

Cosmetology: They are included in professional serums (for example, Growth Factor Serum) to stimulate collagen production, improve skin texture and combat wrinkles.

 

Microbiology: Growth factors also include vitamins and amino acids that bacteria need for development, but which they cannot synthesize themselves.

 

Brand Technology (GF Technology) AQ Skin Solutions

The uniqueness of all AQ Skin Solutions products (including serums like Recovery Serum) is based on patented growth factor technology (US Pat. 8,518,879). These growth factors (GFs) are identical to those produced by the human body. They don't simply conceal imperfections; they stimulate the skin to regenerate from the inside out, stimulating the production of its own collagen and elastin.

The brand was founded by Dr. Ahmed Al-Qahtani, an immunologist and pioneer in the use of growth factors to treat wounds and burns. In 2025, AQ products were considered one of the safest and most effective alternatives to PRP (Plasma Lifting) therapy.

 

AQ Skin Solutions' GF technology was originally discovered during wound treatment and cell regeneration in patients with third-degree burns. Consistent medical studies have proven that, when properly formulated, the patented GF technology has the potential to reverse cellular aging, fade scars, and accelerate the body's natural healing process in the skin, hair follicles, and vaginal walls. AQ's breakthrough research has demonstrated how to effectively maximize GF retention for maximum penetration and effectiveness.

 

Environmental stress, in addition to the normal aging process, leads to excessive free radical damage and the breakdown of collagen and elastin. This type of damage ultimately impairs the function of growth factors, reducing the body's ability to repair oxidative damage and necessitating additional nutrition.

 

AQ cosmeceutical serums contain conditioned media known to preserve the highest quality of specific growth factors, cytokines, and interleukins that accelerate the regeneration process. Using advanced cell sorting technology, AQ Skin Solutions GF serums were developed using selected immortalized fibroblast lines protected by four patents in the US, EU, Japan, and Korea (US 8,518,879, US 8,877,494, US 9,119,974), EU (2680865), Japan (5981947), and Korea (10-2013-7026105).

Supplementing diminished growth factor production with patented AQ Human Growth Factor Technology has been clinically proven to unlock the potential of reversing cellular aging and enhance the body's natural healing process. AQ Skin Solutions GFs are specifically formulated and maintain stability.

 

Using high-quality GF media, AQ revolutionized skin rejuvenation by enhancing the body's defenses after surgery, burns, wounds, and UV exposure. This invention made the generation of specific growth factors more effective for tissue regeneration and cellular repair, and complemented energy devices with reduced side effects and recovery time.

 

AQ Skin Solutions' comparison with competitors in the growth factor (GF) market is based on differences in the origin of the molecules, their concentration, and stability.

Here are the main differences and advantages of AQ over other brands (such as AnteAGE, SkinMedica, Calecim, Revive):

 

 

1. Origin of Growth Factors (Human vs. Plants/Animals)

• Competitors: Many brands use plant growth factors (from apples and grapes) or bacterial (recombinant) ones. The problem is that plant molecules do not have corresponding receptors in human cells—they act as antioxidants, but not as "signal buttons" for regeneration.

• AQ Skin Solutions: Uses only human fibroblasts (patented technology). These are proteins native to our bodies. Skin cells recognize the AQ growth factor like a key to a lock, instantly triggering the process of cell division and rejuvenation.

2. Production technology (GF-Technology)

• Competitors: Often, one or two isolated growth factors (for example, just EGF) are used. However, in nature, healing is a complex "orchestra" of dozens of different proteins.

• AQ Skin Solutions: A patented method allows for the production of a natural combination of growth factors in the same proportions as those produced by a healthy body during wound healing. This ensures a more harmonious and safe result.

3. Comparison with PRP therapy (Plasmolifting)

• Competitors (PRP): Plasma quality depends on the patient's age, diet, and health. If the patient is stressed or ill, the growth factors in their plasma will be weak.

• AQ Skin Solutions: It's "perfect plasma in an ampoule." The composition of AQ serums is always stable, highly concentrated, and unaffected by the patient's health condition. Doctors often call AQ a more predictable alternative to PRP.

4. Absence of “junk” proteins

• Competitors: Some brands use cell media that contain extra proteins or cell debris that can cause allergies or inflammation.

• AQ Skin Solutions: Undergoes a multi-stage purification process. Only pure signaling proteins remain, minimizing the risk of allergic reactions and making the products safe even for use on mucous membranes (VRS and Oral Fix lines).

5. Leadership in narrow niches

While competitors (like SkinMedica) focus only on the face, AQ has created unique, patented protocols for areas where there are few comparable treatments:

• VRS: One of the few hormone-free GF-based solutions for intimate rejuvenation.

• Advanced Hair Complex+: One of the most researched hair restoration systems without the “withdrawal effect”, unlike minoxidil.

• Oral Fix: Unique application of growth factors in dentistry.

Summary: What is the main feature?

While competitors offer a cosmetic effect (moisturizing + protection), AQ Skin Solutions provides therapeutic regeneration.

Key Benefit: Highest level of biocompatibility with human cells and medical patents for specific formulas that have proven their effectiveness in clinical tissue healing studies, not just in marketing brochures.