At a glance
- Mechanism of action
- Natural copper-complex tripeptide (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) with high affinity for copper ions; acts as a signal peptide that controls tissue remodelling and stimulates collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycans.
- Benefits & use
- Improves skin elasticity, smooths wrinkles, speeds wound healing after microneedling or laser, and is used against hair loss.
- Study status
- Level 4: isolated by Dr. Loren Pickart in 1973 and the subject of hundreds of biochemical and clinical studies since; an established active in dermatology.
- Dosing note
- GHK-Cu vials are unusually large at 50–100 mg and therefore need more BAC water (about 3–5 ml) to dissolve the powder; typical single dose 1–2 mg. No dosing instructions - information only.
GHK-Cu is a natural copper-complex tripeptide (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) and the gold standard of regenerative skincare. It signals the body to break down aged tissue and replace it with elastic new tissue, and it stimulates collagen and elastin. Evidence level 4.
How does GHK-Cu work?
GHK-Cu has an extremely high affinity for copper ions, which are essential for numerous enzymatic processes. As a signal peptide, GHK-Cu steers gene expression for tissue remodelling: it flags old, damaged tissue (such as scar tissue or aged skin cells) for breakdown and promotes the build-up of collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycans. The copper peptide is also strongly antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. It therefore complements regenerative peptides such as BPC-157, which heals locally via angiogenesis, while GHK-Cu drives the systemic remodelling of the skin matrix.
What is GHK-Cu used for?
In practice, GHK-Cu is the gold standard for systemic and local anti-aging. It improves skin elasticity, smooths wrinkles and speeds wound healing after cosmetic procedures such as microneedling or laser treatments. It is also used against hair loss because it enlarges hair follicles. In biohacking, GHK-Cu is often injected subcutaneously to achieve a systemic effect throughout the body. Want to document your own protocols? Create a free account.
How do I reconstitute GHK-Cu?
GHK-Cu vials are unusually large at 50, 100 or 200 mg. The powder therefore needs more BAC water (about 3–5 ml), otherwise it does not fully dissolve or the injection stings because of high osmolarity. Example: a 50 mg vial plus 5 ml water gives exactly 0.2 ml for a 2 mg dose (20 units on a U100 syringe). Work out your volume with the dosage calculator and review the basics in the FAQ.
Note: Educational information, not medical advice. Many of these substances are experimental and not approved for human use.
Related peptides
Sources
- GHK-Cu research (Pickart) - PubMedhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov