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This is plain-language harm-reduction information, not medical advice. Peptides discussed here are research compounds; most are not approved for human use. People will use them either way — we would rather they have the facts.
What it is
GHK is a tiny three-amino-acid peptide naturally present in human blood. It binds copper, and the copper-bound form (GHK-Cu) is the active version used in skincare and research.
It is most established in topical use for skin and hair. Injectable use is a newer, more speculative application.
History
Discovered in the early 1970s by Loren Pickart, who noticed it in fractions of human plasma that helped liver cells regenerate. Over 50 years of research.
How it works
Delivers copper to cells, regulates gene expression related to wound healing and collagen production, and modulates inflammation.
Dosage
- Injectable: 1–3 mg, 2–3 times weekly.
- Topical: 0.05–1% solution applied to skin or scalp daily.
How it is taken
- Subcutaneous injection or topical cream/serum.
- Some users inject closer to scalp for hair-focused protocols (mesotherapy-style).
How to reconstitute
- 50 mg vial with 5 ml BAC water = 10 mg/ml. A 2 mg dose is 20 units on a 1 ml insulin syringe.
How it should arrive
Sealed vial, distinctive teal-blue powder (the copper is what gives the colour).
How it should look once reconstituted
Reconstitutes into a clear blue solution. If it is colourless, it is not GHK-Cu — most likely plain GHK or wrong product.
What to expect, and when
- Skin texture improvements: 4–8 weeks (topical).
- Hair density / regrowth: 12–24 weeks.
- Wound healing (cuts, post-surgery): days to weeks.
Side effects
- Topical: rarely, skin irritation.
- Injectable: occasional injection-site discolouration (blue tint).
Risks
- Excessive copper intake can theoretically cause copper toxicity. At normal peptide doses this is implausible.
- Limited long-term human injection data.
Potential gains
- Skin firmness, reduced wrinkles, improved tone (well-evidenced topically).
- Hair density improvements (modest evidence).
- Wound healing.
- Anti-inflammatory effects.
Other useful information
Topical GHK-Cu has decent evidence behind it. Injectable use is more speculative but the safety profile is reassuring. Considered one of the lowest-risk peptides to experiment with.
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