GHK-Cu
Copper Tripeptide-1 (Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine + Copper)
GHK-Cu is a copper-binding tripeptide (glycyl-histidyl-lysine) that occurs naturally in human plasma and is widely used in skin-care products. It is studied for skin repair, collagen production and wound healing. Evidence comes mainly from cell, animal and cosmetic skin studies; injected GHK-Cu has not been tested in a human trial.
Quick reference
How GHK-Cu is dosed in practice
Injected protocols use 100 mcg to 2 mg of GHK-Cu a day, SubQ. Lower amounts (about 100–250 mcg a day) are typical for longer, maintenance-style use; amounts toward 2 mg a day are used for shorter courses aimed at healing. Courses commonly run 8–12 weeks, then a break.
Starting at the low end and increasing gradually is common. This guide does not list more than 2 mg a day.
Where the numbers come from: no human trial has tested injected GHK-Cu, so these ranges are practitioner convention. GHK-Cu is in many topical skin products, but reported concentrations vary between sources, so we don't give a topical percentage here.
Work out the units to draw with the reconstitution calculator and how long a vial lasts with the vial duration calculator.
How GHK-Cu works
GHK binds copper and, in cell studies, stimulates collagen and elastin production by skin fibroblasts. It is one of the copper-carrying peptides found in human blood.
Lab studies also report lower IL-6 and TNF-α (inflammatory signals) and gene-expression changes linked to tissue repair. Wound-healing and skin effects have been shown in animal studies and in cosmetic studies of topical products.
Hair claims rest mostly on lab studies of hair-follicle cells; there is no strong human trial showing GHK-Cu treats hair loss.
In the DoseCraft framework, GHK-Cu is filed under Inflammation (cytokine effects) and ATP Shortage (copper is needed by mitochondrial enzymes) — based on lab data.
Reconstitution math
- Remove the flip-off cap from the 50 mg vial. Wipe the stopper with alcohol.
- Draw 5 mL of bacteriostatic water into a sterile syringe.
- Inject slowly down the vial wall.
- Swirl gently — GHK-Cu has a deep blue color when reconstituted (this is the copper, normal).
- Refrigerate. Stable approximately 4–6 weeks at 2–8°C.
Dose math
50 mg vial + 5 mL bac water → 10 mg per mL (10,000 mcg/mL).
On a 100-unit insulin syringe (1 IU = 0.01 mL):
- • 5 IU = 500 mcg
- • 10 IU = 1 mg (1,000 mcg)
- • 20 IU = 2 mg (2,000 mcg) — the top of the range
- • For doses under 500 mcg, add more water so the volume is large enough to measure accurately
Synergy stack
GHK-Cu + BPC-157 — chronic joint protocol
For long-standing tendon or joint problems, some practitioners pair GHK-Cu (collagen effects in lab studies) with BPC-157 (blood-vessel effects in animal studies). This pairing is practitioner convention; it has not been tested in people.
BPC-157 dose
200 mcg–1 mg SubQ daily
GHK-Cu dose
100 mcg–2 mg SubQ daily
Safety + side-effect profile
Topical GHK-Cu has a long record in cosmetics; injected GHK-Cu has no human safety trial. Effects people report are mostly mild.
Unknown, not ruled out: long-term effects of injecting it. Avoid with: Wilson's disease or other copper-handling disorders, pregnancy, breastfeeding.
Interaction notes: avoid high-dose copper supplements at the same time. Don't apply topical products to open wounds unless they are made for that use.
- • Injection-site stinging or redness
- • Mild skin tingling where topical products are applied
- • Occasional metallic taste
- • Rare allergic reactions in people sensitive to copper
Frequently asked
What is GHK-Cu?
GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide (glycyl-histidyl-lysine + copper) found in human plasma and widely used in skin-care products. In lab studies it stimulates collagen and elastin production and lowers inflammatory signals. Injected GHK-Cu has not been tested in a human trial.
What is the typical GHK-Cu dose?
Injected protocols use 100 mcg to 2 mg a day SubQ — about 100–250 mcg for long, maintenance-style use and up to 2 mg for shorter healing courses, commonly for 8–12 weeks. These are practitioner conventions; no human trial has tested injected GHK-Cu.
How do I reconstitute GHK-Cu?
50 mg vial + 5 mL bacteriostatic water → 10 mg/mL. The solution turns blue (that's the copper). On a 100-unit insulin syringe, 5 IU = 500 mcg, 10 IU = 1 mg, 20 IU = 2 mg. For doses under 500 mcg, add more water so you can measure accurately. Refrigerate; use within 4–6 weeks.
Is GHK-Cu effective for hair loss?
Not established. Lab studies on hair-follicle cells are encouraging, but there is no strong human trial showing GHK-Cu regrows hair. Proven hair-loss treatments exist; talk to a dermatologist before relying on GHK-Cu.
Should GHK-Cu be subcutaneous or topical?
It depends on the goal. Topical products act on the skin they're applied to and are the better-studied use. SubQ injection is used in practitioner protocols for systemic or joint goals, without trial evidence. Some people use both.
Are there GHK-Cu side effects?
Reported effects are usually mild: injection-site stinging, skin tingling with topical use, an occasional metallic taste, and rare allergic reactions in copper-sensitive people. Injected GHK-Cu has no human safety trial.
Is GHK-Cu safe long-term?
Unknown for injection. Within the 100 mcg–2 mg a day range, courses of 8–12 weeks followed by a break are the common convention. Avoid it with Wilson's disease, and don't combine it with high-dose copper supplements.
Related compounds
Often researched, stacked, or compared with GHK-Cu.
Cited research
GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration. Biomed Res Int, 2015.
Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data. Int J Mol Sci, 2018.
Page updated · How we grade evidence
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