Combined EGCG NAD+ Precursors Enhance Hair Growth and Cellular Energy

A human and cell study found a combination (MiAc) of NAM, NR, NAD⁺, and EGCG significantly improved hair density and increased mitochondrial activity in dermal cells. 

Key Points

  • MiAc shampoo and scalp tonic significantly increased hair count
  • Raised cellular energy (ATP) to 132.6% in human cells
  • Increased mitochondrial content to 112.2%
  • Upregulated mitochondrial regulators
  • Enhanced key hair-growth signals
  • Improved dermal cell viability and migration

shampoo in hair

Methods

In vivo (human study):

Fifty-two adults (ages 18-54) with hair loss symptoms were split into four groups for a 24 week study:

  • Shampoo Group: Used shampoo containing NAM, NR, NAD⁺, and EGCG for 24 weeks
  • Tonic Group: Used scalp tonic containing NAM, NR, NAD⁺, and EGCG for 24 weeks
  • Shampoo Control Group: Used shampoo control formulation without active ingredients for 24 weeks
  • Tonic Control Group: Used scalp tonic control formulation without active ingredients for 24 weeks

Hair count was measured at baseline, 16 weeks, and 24 weeks.

In vitro (cell model):

In the laboratory, human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) and human dermal fibroblasts (hDFs) were treated with a mixture of:

  • 10 μM NAM
  • 20 μM NR
  • 5 μM NAD+
  • 0.01 μM EGCG

Researchers measured ATP production, mitochondrial count and activity, hair-growth factor expression, cell viability, and migration.

hair density graphic

Hair Density Increased in Humans

In the 24-week human study, both the shampoo and tonic formulations significantly improved hair density.

The shampoo group saw nearly 4 times greater hair increase than the control group at 24 weeks.

After 16 weeks:

"The average number of hairs per cm2 increased by 0.565 in the control group and 5.760 in the test group…"

After 24 weeks:

"After 24 weeks of use, the number of hairs increased by 1.826 in the control group and by 6.840 in the test group."

The tonic group showed measurable growth while the control group experienced an initial decrease. At 24 weeks, the tonic group had over 4 times greater increase in hair count.

After 16 weeks:

"The average number of hairs per cm2 decreased by 0.583 in the control group and increased by 2.125 in the test group…"

After 24 weeks:

"After 24 weeks of use, the number of hairs increased by 1.000 in the control group and by 4.375 in the test group."

Self-reported evaluations of hair condition and improvement were consistently higher in the test groups.

Cellular Energy & Hair Growth Signaling Improved

Hair follicles need a steady supply of energy from the mitochondria to grow. In lab experiments using human hair-related cells, the MiAc blend increased that energy production and activated key growth signals.

ATP rose to 132.6% of normal levels while the number and activity of mitochondria increased to 112.2%. Important mitochondrial regulators that help cells produce energy were also elevated.

"Treatment with MiAc increased the expression of TFAM… ATP5A1… and ERRα to 126.4%, 114.5% and 114.7%, respectively."

At the same time, the blend boosted major hair-growth signals:

  • VEGF (supports blood flow to follicles)
  • IGF-1 (supports cell growth)
  • HGF (supports follicle development)

"MiAc significantly induced expression of the representative secreted factors, VEGF… IGF-1… and HGF, increasing their levels to 164.6%, 165.2% and 148.2%, respectively."

Beyond signaling, the cells themselves performed better. The treatment increased:

  • Cell health and survival
  • Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), a marker linked to active hair growth
  • Cell movement, which supports follicle activity

"MiAc significantly increased ALP levels 152.4%... increased cell viability (111.2%)... Migration was significantly higher in cells treated (167.1%)."

To test this effectiveness, researchers blocked mitochondrial activity using a chemical inhibitor. When energy production was suppressed, hair-growth signals dropped. When the MiAc blend was added back, those signals improved again.

"Concurrent treatment with both MiAc and dorsomorphin upregulated expression of the hair growth secretome…"

Taken together, the results suggest that improving cellular energy production directly supports the signals that drive hair growth.

graphic showing hair

Conclusion

In humans, a multi-component complex containing NAM, NR, NAD⁺, and EGCG significantly increased hair density over 24 weeks.

Both shampoo and scalp formulations showed statistically significant improvements with no reported adverse reactions.

"16-week and 24-week test group results represented significant increases in the number of hairs."

At the cellular level, MiAc increased ATP production, elevated mitochondrial regulators (TFAM, ATP5A1, ERRα), and enhanced expression of key hair-growth factors including VEGF, IGF-1, and HGF.

"Treatment with MiAc increased ATP level to 132.6% of control values…MiAc significantly induced expression of the representative secreted factors, VEGF… IGF-1… and HGF…"

Together, these findings suggest that improving mitochondrial energy production can directly support the signaling pathways involved in hair growth and positions NAD⁺-related biology as a plausible target for supporting follicular function and age-associated hair changes.

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Olivia Harrier

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Olivia is a longevity writer and researcher passionate about making science easy to understand and apply. She focuses on metabolic health, integrative wellness, and the everyday habits that support better aging. With backgrounds in biochemistry and fitness, her work explores the intersection of molecular biology and lifestyle, blending evidence-based research with practical tools for feeling good and living well.

References

Lee IG, Lim HJ, Kwon EJ, Jeon YJ, Lee SB, Kim NY. Hair growth enhancement via mitochondrial activation by Mito-activator complex. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2026 Feb 9. doi:10.1111/ics.70072.