Research Reference
GHK-Cu
Copper peptide — skin, collagen, and anti-aging
Research & educational purposes only. BioMaxFit does not sell, promote, or represent peptides in any way. We are strictly educational and recommend working with your doctor on anything health-related. The information below comes from published research and documents what has been studied, not what should be done. Many of these compounds are investigational and not approved by the FDA; possession or use outside an authorized clinical trial may be illegal in your jurisdiction. This is not medical advice.
GHK-Cu (copper tripeptide-1) is a naturally occurring copper-peptide complex that plays crucial roles in tissue repair, collagen synthesis, and antioxidant enzyme function. Unlike most peptides, GHK-Cu exists naturally in human plasma, urine, and saliva.
Topical GHK-Cu has extensive clinical research. Injectable GHK-Cu has no human trials.
Community injectable protocol: 1.7 mg subcutaneous daily in the morning for 8 weeks, then 8 weeks off. Topical alternative (well-studied): 0.1–1% concentration applied daily or nightly on a continuous basis.
Dosing Reference
Reconstitution
Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to the 50 mg vial. Resulting concentration: 25 mg/mL.
| Dose | Syringe Units | mL Volume | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.7 mg | 6.8 units | 0.07 mL | Daily SubQStandard |
| 2 mg | 8 units | 0.08 mL | Daily SubQ |
| 3 mg | 12 units | 0.12 mL | Daily SubQAdvanced |
| 5 mg | 20 units | 0.2 mL | Daily SubQAdvanced (100mg vial) |
Math assumes U-100 insulin syringes (1 mL = 100 units). Verify your syringe matches before use. Round half-units to the nearest visible mark.
Reconstitution
For a 50 mg vial with 2 mL bacteriostatic water, the concentration is 25 mg/mL; a 1.7 mg dose draws to 7 units (0.07 mL). For a 100 mg vial with 5 mL, the concentration is 20 mg/mL; a 1.7 mg dose draws to 9 units (0.09 mL).
Gently swirl — do not shake. Refrigerate at 2–8°C and use within 28 days.
Cycling Protocol
Community protocols describe 1.7 mg subcutaneous daily in the morning for 8 weeks, then 8 weeks off. GHK-Cu effects on skin and hair build gradually over the cycle. The cycling approach is conservative given the lack of long-term human injectable data.
Morning injection aligns with natural circadian collagen synthesis rhythms. Empty stomach is not required but many users prefer consistent timing. Topical users can apply in the evening for overnight penetration and repair.
Topical GHK-Cu does not require cycling — cosmetic safety data from extended-use studies supports continuous application.
Routes of Administration
Subcutaneous injection (community protocol): Abdomen, love handles, and thighs — areas with subcutaneous fat — at a volume of approximately 0.1 mL using a 29–31 gauge insulin syringe. No human clinical trials for this route exist.
Topical concentrations: skin aging 0.05–0.1% (daily, continuous); wound support 0.2–1% (1–2x daily until healed); hair density 0.1–0.3% (daily, 3–6 months minimum).
Stacking Protocols
| Stack | Components | Purpose | | --- | --- | --- | | Healing + Recovery | GHK-Cu 1.7 mg + BPC-157 500 mcg | Collagen synthesis/matrix remodeling + tissue repair | | Skin + Collagen (topical) | GHK-Cu 0.1–0.5% serum + vitamin C | Antioxidant + collagen synthesis support |
Community protocols describe injecting at separate sites when using multiple peptides.
Side Effects & Safety
- Injection site reactions — redness, mild pain, or swelling
- No human injectable safety data — all injectable safety information from community self-reports
- Copper accumulation concern — long-term high-dose injectable use theoretically could affect copper balance; community protocols cycle off for this reason
- Topical: well-tolerated — decades of cosmetic safety data at studied concentrations
Topical GHK-Cu is a recognized cosmetic ingredient (copper tripeptide-1) used in regulated skincare products worldwide. Injectable GHK-Cu has no published human clinical trials.
Research Basis
GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper-peptide complex found in human plasma, urine, and saliva.
Topical (extensive clinical research): Decades of published clinical trial data for skin aging, wound healing, and hair density. Recognized cosmetic ingredient used in regulated skincare products worldwide. Clinical trials used 0.05–0.1% for skin aging, 0.2–1% for wound support (Arul et al., 2005), and 0.1–0.3% for hair density (Pyo et al., 2007).
Injectable (no human trials): Protocols are entirely community-developed, with doses extrapolated from cell culture bioactivity data and molecular weight calculations. The 1.7 mg/day community dose is derived from plasma GHK-Cu decline with age and in vitro activity thresholds.
Topical concentrations deliver GHK-Cu directly to skin and follicle targets. Injectable administration is hypothesized to provide systemic distribution, but human pharmacokinetic data for this route does not exist.