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Stack
Reconstituted color
№ 046

AHK-Cu

A peptide promoted for hair growth. A copper-binding tripeptide cousin to GHK-Cu, promoted specifically for hair-follicle support. Limited human data, most evidence is in vitro and topical formulation.

Skin
Evidence: Anecdotal

AHK-Cu: A peptide promoted for hair growth. A copper-binding tripeptide cousin to GHK-Cu, promoted specifically for hair-follicle support. Limited human data, most evidence is in vitro and topical formulation. AHK-Cu is a hair-focused cousin to GHK-Cu.

FDA ⓘ
Not approved
WADA
Not banned
Typical dose
Topical: 0.05-0.2% concentration
Half-life ⓘ
~2 hours topical
Route ⓘ
Topical (most common) or sub-q
Schedule
1-2x daily topical
In plain English

AHK-Cu is a hair-focused cousin to GHK-Cu. Same copper-binding family, different amino acid sequence, marketed for follicle support. Most evidence is in vitro and topical. Treat it like minoxidil's experimental sibling, slow, subtle, cumulative.

Status & legalityWhat do these mean? →
Natty? ⓘ
Grey area

Naturally-occurring copper peptide derivative. Federations don't address it specifically.

FDA ⓘ
Not approved

Not FDA approved as a drug. Approved as a cosmetic ingredient in some formulations.

Compounding ⓘ
Not classified

Not formally categorized in the FDA bulks lists.

WADA ⓘ
Not listed
Prescribed ⓘ

Not prescribed in conventional medicine.

Who it's for

  • →Users targeting hair-follicle support specifically
  • →Stack add-on alongside GHK-Cu for skin + hair routines
  • →Topical-only researchers

What to expect

  1. Week 1

    Nothing visible yet.

  2. Week 4

    Scalp irritation should fade if it appeared early.

  3. Week 8

    Subtle follicle changes for responders. Most users see less than topical minoxidil produces.

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How it works (mechanism)

Copper-binding tripeptide (alanine-histidine-lysine) similar to GHK-Cu in family but specialized for follicular activity. Activates dermal papilla cells in vitro.

Dosing protocol

Members only

Stacks well with

Members only

Side effects

01Scalp irritation early
02Mild itching
03Rare: contact dermatitis

When NOT to use

  • ⚠Wilson's disease
  • ⚠Active scalp infection

Common mistakes

  • • Confusing it with GHK-Cu and using GHK-Cu protocols here
  • • Storing in plastic (copper binds plastic, use glass)
  • • Expecting fast follicle changes, visible response takes weeks

What it actually is

AHK-Cu is a three-amino-acid peptide bound to copper, a close cousin of GHK-Cu, marketed specifically for hair growth. The evidence base is about as thin as it gets: two indexed records in total, one of which is a 2007 in-vitro study of hair follicles and the other is about dairy protein chemistry and not about this compound at all.

Like GHK-Cu it works as a copper delivery vehicle. Copper is a cofactor for enzymes involved in building connective tissue, and the hair-growth proposal is that it stimulates the dermal papilla cells at the base of the follicle and promotes the blood vessel growth that supports a follicle in its growth phase. The 2007 study showed increased follicle growth and prolonged anagen phase in cultured human follicles. That is a petri dish, not a scalp.

Forms, and which is which

Topical serum (0.05-0.2%)The route that makes sense

Applied to the scalp, usually alongside other hair actives. Local delivery, minimal systemic copper.

Verdict: The sensible route if you are going to try it.

Subcutaneous injectionSystemic claims

Rarely used and hard to justify: it distributes copper systemically for a local cosmetic goal.

Verdict: Systemic copper exposure for a scalp problem.

GHK-CuThe better-studied cousin

Same copper-peptide family with far more literature behind it, mostly for skin rather than hair.

Verdict: More evidence, different primary target.

Minoxidil and finasterideHair loss with actual evidence

Both have large randomised trial bases and regulatory approval for androgenetic alopecia.

Verdict: The comparison anyone considering this should make first.

What it is claimed to do, graded

Promotes hair growth in humansNone shown

Zero human trials. Grade F on the site's own ladder, on two indexed records total.

Stimulates hair follicle growth in vitroLimited

The 2007 study demonstrated increased follicle growth in culture. That is the entire evidence base for this compound.

Improves skin appearanceNone shown

Claims here are borrowed from GHK-Cu, which is a different peptide with its own separate evidence.

Is a substitute for established hair treatmentsNone shown

Minoxidil and finasteride have large randomised evidence bases and approvals. This has one in-vitro study.

Grades describe how much human evidence exists for that specific claim, not whether it will work for you or whether it is safe.

Pros and cons

Pros
  • • The topical route is low risk
  • • Copper's role in connective tissue and follicle biology is real chemistry
  • • Cheap as a topical ingredient
  • • No systemic exposure worth worrying about when used topically
Cons
  • • Two indexed records total, one of which is not about this compound
  • • Zero human trials
  • • Marketed heavily for hair growth on the strength of a single petri-dish study
  • • Copper load matters if combined with GHK-Cu or copper supplements
  • • Contraindicated in Wilson's disease

When to stop

  • • Scalp irritation, itching or contact dermatitis
  • • Twelve weeks with no change — that is a long enough trial
  • • A metallic taste, nausea or abdominal pain, which can indicate copper excess
  • • You have not counted your total copper from all sources

Interactions

Wilson's disease or copper metabolism disordersAvoid

The body cannot clear copper normally. The one hard contraindication.

GHK-CuCaution

Both deliver copper. Running them together doubles a load nobody is counting.

Copper supplementsCaution

Additive copper from a third source.

MinoxidilCompatible

Different mechanisms and commonly layered. Watch for scalp irritation from stacking actives.

Zinc supplementsMonitor

Zinc and copper compete for absorption in both directions.

Is this for you?

Probably worth reading further if
  • • People adding it topically alongside treatments that actually have evidence, with low expectations
Skip it if
  • • You have Wilson's disease or a copper metabolism disorder
  • • You are already using GHK-Cu or supplementing copper
  • • You are using it instead of minoxidil or finasteride
  • • You have an active scalp infection or broken skin

The one number

2 indexed records in total, one of which is not about this compound
Pepdex evidence index — counts are indexed PubMed records, not deduplicated trials; PubMed query for AHK-Cu

Sources for the claims above

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AI Coach, live sample
Member answer
is 250mcg of bpc enough for a knee injury?
For a knee, is the standard working dose and a solid place to start. The trick with BPC is consistency, give it weeks, not days. , run it , and don't drop below , results tend to fall off under that line. If nothing's moved by week 3, that's when earns its place.
how much bac water for a 10mg reta vial?
is the standard play for a 10 mg reta vial. That gives you , clean unit math across the whole titration: on a 100-unit insulin syringe. Run instead if you want fewer, more concentrated shots. Most people titrate up over , and that mix keeps the numbers cleanest.
what should i track on bloodwork for tirzepatide?
Lipid panel, ALT/AST (liver enzymes), and an A1C, baseline before you start then every 3 months. If you've got metabolic-syndrome history, add fasting glucose and insulin so you can actually watch insulin sensitivity improve. You don't need a big hormone panel for a GLP-1.

Numbers redacted in this preview. Members get the full answer, on their own stack.

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Frequently asked

What is AHK-Cu?+
AHK-Cu is a hair-focused cousin to GHK-Cu. Same copper-binding family, different amino acid sequence, marketed for follicle support. Most evidence is in vitro and topical. Treat it like minoxidil's experimental sibling, slow, subtle, cumulative.
Is AHK-Cu FDA approved?+
Not FDA approved as a drug. Approved as a cosmetic ingredient in some formulations.
Is AHK-Cu legal?+
AHK-Cu is not FDA-approved, so there is no approved prescription version. Most supply is sold as "research only" by peptide vendors. A compounding pharmacy may only use substances the FDA permits for compounding, and many research peptides are not permitted — do not assume a compounded prescription is available. Possession is generally not criminalized but distribution without authorization may be. Verify local laws.
Is AHK-Cu banned by WADA?+
AHK-Cu is not currently on the WADA prohibited list.
Are you still natty after taking AHK-Cu?+
Grey area. Naturally-occurring copper peptide derivative. Federations don't address it specifically.
Do doctors prescribe AHK-Cu?+
Not prescribed in conventional medicine.
What's the typical dose of AHK-Cu?+
Dosing depends on your goal, experience, and tolerance. The full AHK-Cu protocol (dose, frequency, and how to titrate) is in the members section on the entry page.
What are the side effects of AHK-Cu?+
Common side effects include: Scalp irritation early; Mild itching; Rare: contact dermatitis. Less common effects and full safety details are on the entry page.
How long until AHK-Cu starts working?+
Nothing visible yet.
What can you stack with AHK-Cu?+
AHK-Cu is commonly combined with complementary compounds. The full stacking protocol (what to pair, dosing, and timing) is in the members section on the entry page.
Where do people get AHK-Cu?+
Pepdex does not sell, ship, or recommend suppliers. AHK-Cu is not FDA-approved; prescription versions require licensed clinical care, and "research only" markets carry real legal and quality risks. /coa explains how to verify a Certificate of Analysis and /guides/scam-vendor-spotting covers the red flags.

Common questions about AHK-Cu

Tracked alongside AHK-Cu

Same goal, different aisle — each graded on its own evidence in the Pepdex catalog.

Omega-3 →
skin barrier support with real trials behind it
Tretinoin →
the prescription gold standard this category is measured against
Vitamin D3 →
deficiency shows up in skin first
Minoxidil →
the other topical people run alongside

More in Skin

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