What is GHK-Cu?
GHK-Cu (Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper complex) is a naturally occurring tripeptide found in human plasma, saliva, and urine. It has a strong affinity for copper ions, forming a GHK:copper 1:1 complex. Researchers study GHK-Cu for its roles in skin regeneration, collagen synthesis, wound healing, anti-inflammatory effects, and gene expression regulation.
Research Dosing Parameters
- Typical dose range: 1–3 mg per injection (topical formulations vary widely)
- Common vial size: 50 mg (for injectable research use)
- Reconstitution: 5–10 mL bacteriostatic water
- Administration: Subcutaneous injection or topical application in research
- Note: Use the mg toggle in the calculator for milligram doses
How to Reconstitute GHK-Cu
- Inject bacteriostatic water slowly into the vial
- Swirl gently until fully dissolved
- The solution may appear slightly blue due to the copper complex — this is normal
- Store at 2–8°C after reconstitution
- Use within 30 days
FAQ
What makes GHK-Cu different from other anti-aging peptides? GHK-Cu is notable for its broad biological effects — it has been studied for skin regeneration, wound healing, hair growth stimulation, and anti-inflammatory gene regulation, making it one of the most multi-functional peptides in anti-aging research.
Why is the GHK-Cu solution sometimes blue? The blue color comes from the copper (Cu²⁺) chelated by the GHK tripeptide. This is expected and does not indicate degradation.
Can GHK-Cu be used topically? Yes, GHK-Cu is frequently studied in topical formulations for skin regeneration. The calculator above is for subcutaneous injection volume calculations; topical applications use different concentration considerations.