Experiencing the AQ Growth Factor Treatment at Dubai’s Dermalase Clinic

I can report that the while the “AQ DermaStamp” can be irritating, it doesn’t hurt and there isn’t any lasting impact.

The AQ Growth Factor Treatment. Courtesy Dermalase Clinic

I wasn’t too thrilled about trying the AQ Growth Factor Treatment at Dubai’s Dermalase Clinic, because it involved something I have been able to avoid for many years: micro-needling.

No matter how many times I’ve been told it does not hurt to have dozens of metal pins stabbed into your face, over and over, creating a series of superficial wounds that allow the products to penetrate – well, it was something I felt I could do without. Yet, I can report that while the AQ DermaStamp can be irritating, it doesn’t hurt and there isn’t any lasting discomfort.

The facial takes less than an hour and is based around the rather intense application of the AQ Recovery Serum, which is part of a range of products developed and patented by Ahmed Al Qahtani – an Emirati immunologist, professor and entrepreneur – using different human “growth factors”, among them vitamins, minerals or hormones that can be manipulated to stimulate growth in human cells. Some of the products are for use in-clinic while others can be purchased and used at home as part of the beauty regime.

AQ Recovery Serum is the centrepiece of the range, which also includes lash-growth serum, hair complex and eye serum.

My treatment involved a thorough cleansing, followed by the application of a topical anaesthetic, which was left on for about 20 minutes. Once it took effect, the therapist applied the cool, slick AQ Recovery Serum, repeatedly applying AQ DermalStamp in a criss-cross pattern on my face to create tiny micro-channels – superficial wounds, actually – so it can seep into the skin. The stamping is also supposed to stimulate the body’s natural healing process, which does make some sense to me. The serum is reapplied during stamping and again, after.

While it wasn’t painful, the stamp was annoying around my lips. Afterwards, though, when I expected to see hundreds of little red dots on my face, there was nothing. I haven’t done the full recommended course of treatment – four to six sessions, every two weeks, plus a maintenance session every two months – but my face felt tighter and brighter for several days.

• The AQ Growth Factor Treatment costs Dh1,500 per session and is available at Dermalase Clinic, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai. Visit www.dermalaseclinic.com or call 04 349 7880. AQ treatments are also available at CosmPlastic and the Canadian Medical Centre, Dubai; Euphoria Medical Center, Abu Dhabi; and Zumurrod Medical Centre, Sharjah. AQ Active Serum is available for home use for Dh594