GHK-Cu

What is GHK-Cu?

GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine plus a Cu(II) ion). Endogenous plasma levels drop from ~200 ng/ml in young adults to ~80 ng/ml by age 60, correlating with declines in tissue repair capacity.

It has become a cornerstone research peptide for skin, hair and wound-healing studies because of its exceptionally broad transcriptional footprint — genomic analyses show it modulates roughly 4,000 human genes toward a more youthful expression pattern.

How does GHK-Cu work?

GHK-Cu stimulates collagen, elastin and decorin synthesis in dermal fibroblasts, along with glycosaminoglycans that hold water in tissue.

It also activates hair-follicle stem cells, supporting follicle size and density in male-pattern hair-loss models.

At a systemic level, GHK-Cu suppresses TGF-β1 fibrotic signaling while upregulating antioxidant defense (SOD, catalase), producing a net anti-inflammatory, pro-regenerative profile.

Research highlights

• Increased collagen density and skin firmness in aging skin

• Improved wound closure rates in animal models

• Hair follicle enlargement and increased density

• Reduced scar tissue formation in dermal remodeling studies

• Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant gene modulation

Dosing reference (research use)

Common research dosing: 1–2 mg subcutaneously daily for skin/hair work, often for 30–60 day cycles.

1 vial = 50 mg. At 2 mg/day, a vial covers ~25 days of research use.

Reported side-effect signals

Generally very well tolerated.

Occasional injection-site sensitivity.

Disclaimer — research use only

For in-vitro research use only. Not for human or veterinary consumption.