Index/GHK-CuAnti-Aging & Longevity

GHK-CU

Copper Peptide · Copper Tripeptide-1

Anti-aging copper peptide — skin, hair, collagen, and wound repair.

FDA

Research Only

WADA

Not Listed

HALF-LIFE

Unknown

ROUTE

Topical, SubQ injection, or intranasal

SCHEDULE

Daily

In Plain English

Anti-aging copper peptide — skin, hair, collagen, and wound repair.

Status & Legality

What do these mean?

NATTY?

?
No Test Exists

No established test exists for this compound.

FDA

?
Research Only

For research purposes only. Not FDA approved.

WADA

?
Not Listed

Not currently on WADA prohibited list.

COMPOUNDING

?
Not from pharmacies

Not available from licensed compounding pharmacies.

PRESCRIBED

?
Not prescribed

Not prescribed in conventional medicine.

ROUTE

?
Topical, SubQ injection, or intranasal

Administration via topical, subq injection, or intranasal.

Who It's For

Skin rejuvenation

Hair regrowth

Wound healing

Collagen synthesis

How It Works

GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper tripeptide found in human plasma that declines sharply with age. It upregulates over 1,000 human genes related to tissue repair and regeneration, stimulates collagen and elastin production, promotes hair follicle growth, and has potent antioxidant effects. Widely used topically and increasingly via injection.

Side Effects

01

Topical irritation (rare)

02

Temporary skin redness

03

Injection site reactions

Common Mistakes

Using only topically when systemic benefits are desired — topical barely penetrates beyond skin; SubQ injection is needed for collagen and systemic gene expression effects

Expecting hair regrowth without consistent daily application — requires 3–6 months of daily use; premature abandonment is the most common reason for failure

Not combining with microneedling for scalp applications — penetration without dermarolling is minimal at the follicle level

Drug & Supplement Interactions

High-dose zinc supplements — zinc and copper compete for absorption; maintain the appropriate 15:1 zinc-to-copper ratio

Copper-lowering medications — may reduce the activity of GHK-Cu's copper-dependent mechanisms

No significant adverse drug interactions at standard doses

The PepVault Take

GHK-Cu is one of the most evidence-backed compounds in the longevity and repair space — upregulates over 1,000 human genes in published research. For skin and anti-aging, topical daily use is the accessible approach. For collagen remodeling and systemic effects, 1–2 mg SubQ 2–3×/week is meaningfully more effective than topical alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Common questions about GHK-Cu

Stats

ONSET50
DOCUMENTATION18
SIDE INTENSITY38
CYCLE EASE60
POPULARITY25
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Sources & Studies

1/2
Research Use OnlyNot Medical AdviceNot FDA Evaluated18+ OnlyWADA Status Tracked

PepVault provides educational and research reference information only. Nothing on this site constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Content has not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. No compound listed on this site is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. The legality of peptide compounds varies by jurisdiction — you are solely responsible for compliance with the laws of your country or region. Certain compounds listed are prohibited under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List; athletes subject to anti-doping regulations should independently verify status before use. This site is intended for adults 18 years of age or older. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before using any compound.

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