GHK-Cu

What it is claimed to help

These are the uses attached to GHK-Cu in research, clinical practice, or marketing. Listing a claim is not endorsing it — tap any of them to see every other compound carrying the same claim.

What the human evidence actually is

Real but modest and mostly cosmetic-grade. Small controlled topical studies report improved skin density, elasticity and fine lines versus placebo or vehicle, plus wound-healing effects. For hair, evidence is thinner: mostly in-vitro follicle work and small cosmetic trials, not the randomised data behind minoxidil or finasteride. Injectable GHK-Cu has no controlled human efficacy trials.

How it is supposed to work

Binds copper(II) and modulates collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, antioxidant enzyme expression, and wound remodelling gene programmes.

Safety

Topically well tolerated; irritation possible. Injected copper peptides raise copper-load questions that have not been studied.

Storage and handling

Lyophilised peptide is generally stored at 2–8 °C, or below −20 °C for long-term storage. Reconstituted in bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol) a solution is typically treated as usable for about 28 days refrigerated, versus roughly 24 hours for plain sterile water, which has no preservative. Add the water slowly down the vial wall and swirl — never shake, which shears peptide chains and foams the solution.