GHK-Cu
aka Copper peptide, Copper tripeptide-1
A 3-amino-acid chain bound to a copper atom — the active ingredient in many fancy skincare brands.
Technically · Tripeptide-copper complex
In one sentence
A copper-bound peptide that tells thousands of skin and hair genes to behave young again.
— Like a master switch for collagen, elastin, and the body's natural repair toolkit.
Half-life
Plasma <1 hour; tissue effects last days
Out of the blood in under an hour, but tissue effects last days.
Dosing
5–6 days/week injectable; daily topical
How often you take a dose
Route
SubQ · Topical
How it goes into the body
Status
Research
Sold for lab research — not approved for humans
What it is
A natural copper-carrying peptide that's a workhorse in skin and hair products. Studied for wrinkles, scars, hair regrowth, and gene expression. Topical forms are everywhere in cosmetics; injectable versions are used off-label by enthusiasts.
The full technical answer
Naturally occurring tripeptide that binds copper. Studied for skin remodeling, hair regrowth, and gene expression modulation. Topical forms widely used in cosmetics.
How it works
GHK-Cu turns on thousands of skin and hair genes that quiet down as you age — the ones that make collagen, elastin, and run the body's repair toolkit. It's essentially telling your skin "act young again."
The full technical answer
Modulates expression of ~4,000 genes related to wound healing, anti-inflammation, and tissue remodeling. Stimulates collagen and elastin synthesis.
What the research says
Multiple in-vitro and animal studies demonstrate broad gene expression effects. Topical cosmetic use clinically studied. Injectable use limited human data.
Sources: PubMed: GHK-Cu
Common dosing ranges
- Range
- Injectable: 1.5–2 mg/day. Topical: 0.05–0.2% serum concentrations.
- Frequency
- 5–6 days/week injectable; daily topical
- Duration
- 10–12 week cycles common
Sources: PubMed reviews
How to take it
Practical guidance synthesized from clinical protocols, FDA labels, and clinician interviews. Always cross-check with a prescribing physician.
Best time of day
Injectable: AM, daily. Topical serum: AM and PM clean skin, before other actives.
With food or fasted
Doesn't matter for either route.
How long to cycle
10–12 week cycles. Skin/hair changes visible from week 4–6 onward.
When to get off
End each cycle. Long-term chronic high-dose injection raises theoretical copper-overload concerns — pause between cycles to clear.
Administration
Side effects
Common
- Injection site irritation
- Topical: rare contact dermatitis
Serious / theoretical
- Excess copper concerns with high-dose chronic use
Sources: PubMed
Further reading & listening
Where the experts go deeper.
Curated from the PeptideFacts expert directory — vetted YouTube channels, podcasts, books, and communities. No anecdote-only or supplier-affiliated picks.
Videos
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