GHK-Cu

Overview

Overview

Copper peptide GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine. The tripeptide has a strong affinity for copper(II) and was first isolated from human plasma. It can also be found in saliva and urine. GHK-Cu levels decline significantly with age, from approximately 200 ng/mL in young adults to less than 80 ng/mL in those over 60 — a decline associated with the reduced regenerative capacity seen in aging skin and tissues.

Mechanism of Action

GHK-Cu is a copper-binding tripeptide that promotes tissue repair and regeneration by delivering bioavailable copper to cells and modulating gene expression. Specific mechanisms include:

• Collagen & Elastin Synthesis: Stimulates production of both structural proteins, improving skin firmness and elasticity.
• Antioxidant Defense: Enhances superoxide dismutase (SOD) and other antioxidant enzymes.
• Anti-inflammatory Action: Reduces inflammatory cytokines, promotes M2 macrophage polarization.
• Gene Regulation: Shown to modulate over 4,000 human genes — activating wound healing genes and suppressing cancer-related genes in some research.
• Hair Growth: Stimulates hair follicle size and growth phase duration.

Benefits

Research areas include dermatology, wound healing, hair growth, anti-aging, and tissue repair. Strong topical application data for skin rejuvenation and hair restoration.

Research Fields

Possible Side Effects

Well-tolerated topically and in injectable form. May cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals when applied topically at high concentrations.

Dosage & Protocol

Topical: 1–5% concentration in serums or creams applied 1–2x daily. Injectable research: 1–2 mg per session subcutaneously. Due to short half-life, frequent administration yields better results than larger infrequent doses.

Also Known As