GHK-Cu
Also known as: Copper Peptide, Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine Copper
A naturally occurring tripeptide that binds copper ions, found in human blood plasma, saliva, and urine. Known for its skin-regenerating and wound-healing properties. Available as both topical cosmetic products and injectable formulations through compounding pharmacies.
How it works
GHK-Cu works by stimulating collagen and elastin production, promoting new blood vessel growth, and acting as a potent antioxidant. It signals skin cells to increase production of growth factors like VEGF and FGF. It also has anti-inflammatory effects, reducing cytokines like IL-6 and TNF-alpha. Your natural GHK-Cu levels drop by more than half by age 60.
Common uses
- Skin rejuvenation and anti-aging
- Wound healing support
- Hair growth stimulation
- Post-procedure skin recovery (after laser treatments, etc.)
- Collagen production support
Side effects
- Topical: generally well-tolerated, mild irritation possible
- Injectable: injection site reactions
- Skin redness or warmth at application site
- Rare allergic reactions in copper-sensitive individuals
- Limited safety data for injectable use
Key research
- Lab studies show GHK-Cu can increase collagen production by up to 70%
- 2024 multicenter study found 25% faster skin recovery and 30% reduction in inflammatory markers after laser resurfacing
- Clinical studies show 55.8% reduction in wrinkle volume compared to control serum
- Gene expression studies show GHK-Cu modulates over 4,000 human genes, many related to tissue repair
Safety notes
- Injectable GHK-Cu is not FDA-approved as a drug
- Topical GHK-Cu is widely available in cosmetic products without a prescription
- Was listed on FDA Category 2 but expected to return to Category 1 for injectable compounding
- Sensitive to breakdown by enzymes in wound fluid, which limits effectiveness in some applications
- Most strong clinical data is from topical use, not injections
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