GHK-Cu
Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine-Copper
GHK-Cu (Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine:Cu²⁺) is a naturally occurring copper-binding peptide with potent tissue-regenerative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging effects. Found in human plasma, saliva, and urine, its levels decline significantly with age, coinciding with reduced tissue repair capacity. GHK-Cu plays a central role in wound healing, angiogenesis, and stem cell activation by modulating gene expression—over 4,000 genes, including those involved in cellular repair, collagen production, and antioxidant defense. This peptide-copper complex not only enhances skin elasticity and regeneration, but also stimulates hair follicle activity, making it widely used in cosmeceuticals and regenerative medicine.
Beyond its topical applications, GHK-Cu shows systemic benefits when used via injection or microneedling, including neuroprotection, anti-fibrotic activity, and modulation of immune response. It promotes extracellular matrix remodeling, reduces oxidative stress markers, and has demonstrated the ability to inhibit fibrosis in organs like the liver and lungs. In muscle and connective tissue repair, GHK-Cu upregulates VEGF and TGF-β, fostering capillary formation and collagen synthesis. Its safety profile is excellent, with no known serious side effects, and it has even shown potential in DNA repair and tumor suppression through beneficial epigenetic modulation.
Protocols
1. Skin Rejuvenation & Anti-Aging (Collagen & Elastin Boosting)
• Dosage: 2–5 mg per day (subcutaneous injection) or 0.1%–2% topical cream
• Cycle: Continuous use for 8–12 weeks, with a 4-week break
Administration:
Injectable: Best taken before bed for cellular repair
Topical: Apply twice daily for skin improvement
Stacking:
• With Epitalon for telomere extension and longevity
• With Thymosin Beta-4 (TB-500) for wound healing synergy
• With MOTS-c for mitochondrial skin regeneration
Expected Benefits:
Increased collagen and elastin production
Reduction in wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging
Improved skin hydration, firmness, and texture
2. Wound Healing & Scar Reduction
• Dosage: 2–5 mg per day (SC injection) or topical application
• Cycle: 4–6 weeks, repeated as needed
Administration:
Injectable: Post-surgery or post-injury
Topical: Apply directly to wounds or scars twice daily
Stacking:
• With BPC-157 for accelerated tissue repair
• With TB-500 for reduced fibrosis and scar formation
• With GH-releasing peptides (CJC-1295 & Ipamorelin) for enhanced regenerative effects
Expected Benefits:
Faster wound healing and tissue recovery
Reduced scar tissue and fibrosis formation
Enhanced angiogenesis (new blood vessel growth)
3. Hair Growth & Scalp Health (Hair Follicle Regeneration)
• Dosage: 2–3 mg per day (SC injection) or topical scalp application
• Cycle: 8–12 weeks, followed by a 4-week break
Administration:
Injectable: Subcutaneous micro-injections into the scalp (once weekly)
Topical: Applied daily in a hair serum or spray
Stacking:
• With RU58841 or Finasteride for DHT blocking
• With Minoxidil (Rogaine) for enhanced follicle stimulation
• With Red light therapy (LLLT) for scalp blood flow improvement
Expected Benefits:
Increased hair follicle activation and regrowth
Reduced hair thinning and shedding
Improved scalp health and reduced inflammation
4. Anti-Inflammatory & Tissue Regeneration (Joint & Muscle Recovery)
• Dosage: 2–5 mg per day (SC injection)
• Cycle: 4–8 weeks, with a 4-week break
Administration: Best taken post-exercise or post-injury
Stacking:
• With BPC-157 & TB-500 for joint and ligament healing
• With MOTS-c for mitochondrial repair
Expected Benefits:
Reduced inflammation and oxidative stress
Faster muscle recovery and tissue repair
Improved joint flexibility and pain reduction
Further reading
What makes GHK-Cu particularly unique among regenerative peptides is its dual role as both a signaling molecule and a metal carrier. The copper ion (Cu²⁺) bound to the GHK peptide is essential for activating key enzymes like lysyl oxidase, which stabilizes newly formed collagen and elastin fibers. Moreover, the peptide’s gene-regulatory properties allow it to reprogram senescent or damaged cells toward a more youthful state. In fibroblast cultures, GHK-Cu has been shown to stimulate collagen, glycosaminoglycan, and decorin synthesis while suppressing inflammatory cytokines and MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases) that degrade connective tissue. This makes it an ideal agent for anti-aging protocols, post-injury healing, or post-surgical tissue recovery.
In hair restoration, GHK-Cu stimulates dermal papilla cell proliferation and enhances scalp blood flow, working through VEGF upregulation and increased expression of Wnt-related pathways. When combined with microneedling, red light therapy, or topical minoxidil, it can significantly enhance results in both male and female pattern hair loss. Systemically, it has shown promise in reducing inflammation-driven damage in neurodegenerative conditions, lung fibrosis, and even radiation-induced injuries, pointing to its broad-spectrum regenerative capacity. With its excellent safety, high tolerability, and wide range of applications—from aesthetics to organ repair—GHK-Cu is becoming a go-to in peptide longevity and recovery stacks.
References
- Pickart L, Margolina A. (2018). Regenerative and protective actions of the GHK-Cu peptide in the light of the new gene data. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19(7):1987.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19071987
Pickart L. (2009). The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodeling. Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition, 20(12):1537–1552.
Maquart FX et al. (1993). Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by the tripeptide-copper complex GHK-Cu. FEBS Letters, 238(2):343–346.
Abdulghani AA et al. (1999). GHK-Cu stimulates hair growth and increases follicle size in animal models. Experimental Dermatology, 8(1):57–63.
Kassir M. et al. (2020). Microneedling with GHK-Cu peptide for hair regrowth: A clinical review. Dermatologic Therapy, 33(4):e13661.