GHK-Cu (50 mg)

At a Glance

GHK-Cu (copper tripeptide-1) is a naturally occurring copper complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine that declines with age and acts as a broad genomic repair signal, stimulating collagen synthesis, balancing matrix metalloproteinases, and suppressing inflammatory gene expression[1][2]. Research-grade GHK-Cu is used as a subcutaneous injectable solution for systemic and local repair applications.

• Reconstitute: Add 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water → 16.7 mg/mL concentration.
• Typical daily dose: 1–2 mg once daily (subcutaneous), 5 days on / 2 days off.
• Easy measuring: At 16.7 mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.01 mL ≈ 167 mcg on a U-100 insulin syringe.
• Storage: Lyophilized: freeze at −20 °C (−4 °F); after reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F); use within 4 weeks.

Overview

• Goal: Support skin repair, wound healing, and matrix remodeling through collagen synthesis stimulation, MMP/TIMP balance, and broad genomic anti-inflammatory signaling[1][2].
• Schedule: Daily subcutaneous injections, 5 days on / 2 days off, for 12 weeks, followed by a 2–4 week rest period.
• Dose range: 1–2 mg once daily; begin low and titrate up as tolerated.
• Reconstitution: 3.0 mL per 50 mg vial (16.7 mg/mL).
• Storage: Lyophilized frozen at −20 °C; reconstituted refrigerated at 2–8 °C; use within 4 weeks.

What You’ll Need

Plan based on a 12-week cycle at 2 mg daily, 5 days/week (60 injections, 120 mg total).

• GHK-Cu Vials (50 mg each):
  • 120 mg needed → 3 vials (with some leftover from the third).
• Insulin Syringes (U-100, 0.3 mL / 30-unit preferred):
  • 60 injections → 60 syringes.
• Bacteriostatic Water (10 mL bottles):
  • Per vial: 3.0 mL → 1 × 10 mL bottle covers all 3 vials (9 mL total).
• Alcohol Swabs: 2 per injection → 120 swabs per 12-week cycle.

How to Reconstitute

1. Allow frozen vial to warm to room temperature (10–15 minutes).
2. Draw 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe.
3. Inject slowly down the vial wall to minimize foaming. Do not inject directly onto the lyophilized cake.
4. Gently swirl or roll until fully dissolved—do not shake vigorously. Note: GHK-Cu solution will appear blue due to the copper chelation; this is normal.
5. Label with reconstitution date and peptide name. Refrigerate at 2–8 °C, protected from light.
6. Use within 4 weeks of reconstitution for optimal potency.

Dosing Schedule

Frequency: Inject once daily subcutaneously, 5 days on / 2 days off. Begin at 1 mg for the first 4 weeks to assess tolerability, increase to 1.5 mg for weeks 5–8, then advance to 2 mg daily from week 9 onward if no adverse reactions are observed[3]. At 16.7 mg/mL (3.0 mL water per 50 mg vial), 1 unit on a U-100 syringe equals approximately 167 mcg.

Protocol Details

• Starting dose: 1,000 mcg (6 units / 0.06 mL) once daily for Weeks 1–4[3].
• Mid-range dose: 1,500 mcg (9 units / 0.09 mL) once daily for Weeks 5–8.
• Standard dose: 2,000 mcg (12 units / 0.12 mL) once daily for Weeks 9–12+.
• Frequency: Once daily, subcutaneous, 5 days on / 2 days off.
• Cycle length: 12-week active cycle; 2–4 weeks off before reassessment.
• Volume: 0.06–0.12 mL per injection, well within subcutaneous comfort range[6].

Storage

• Lyophilized: Store at −20 °C (−4 °F) or below for long-term stability[5]. Protect from moisture and light.
• Reconstituted: Refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F). Do not freeze. Use within 4 weeks.
• Color check: GHK-Cu solutions appear blue—this is normal and indicates intact copper chelation.
• Inspect solution before each use; discard if discolored beyond the expected blue, cloudy, or particulate.

How GHK-Cu Works

GHK-Cu is a copper(II) complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine that naturally occurs in human plasma, saliva, and urine. First isolated by Loren Pickart in 1973, plasma concentrations peak at approximately 200 ng/mL in young adults and fall to ~80 ng/mL by age 60[1].

Systemically administered GHK-Cu acts on multiple repair pathways. It stimulates fibroblasts to produce collagen I, III, and IV as well as glycosaminoglycans including dermatan and chondroitin sulfate[2]. It modulates the balance of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs), enabling healthy matrix remodeling without excessive scar formation. It upregulates decorin, a small proteoglycan that organizes collagen fibrils for improved mechanical strength[2]. At the gene expression level, GHK-Cu can shift over 4,000 human genes toward repair and away from inflammatory destruction, including 31 genes associated with COPD-like tissue damage[1]. It also delivers bioavailable copper to cuproenzymes including lysyl oxidase (critical for collagen and elastin cross-linking) and SOD1 (antioxidant defense).

Good to Know

• Use new sterile insulin syringes for each injection; dispose in a sharps container immediately.
• Rotate injection sites (abdomen, thighs, upper arms) at least 1–2 inches apart to prevent local irritation.
• GHK-Cu solution is normally blue; inspect clarity but do not expect the colorless appearance of other peptides.
• Document daily dose, injection site, and any skin or local reactions to track response.
• Skin rejuvenation: Human cosmetic trials show improved texture, fine-line reduction, and collagen density with topical GHK-Cu; injectable research extends these benefits systemically[3].
• Wound healing: Multicenter RCT demonstrated accelerated closure of diabetic foot ulcers with GHK-Cu gel adjunctive therapy[3].
• Post-procedure support: Randomized split-face trial showed improved CO₂-laser resurfacing recovery with topical copper tripeptide complex[4].
• Tolerability: Generally well tolerated in cosmetic and clinical studies; systemic copper toxicity is unlikely at typical research doses given the high-affinity chelation that prevents free copper reactivity.
• Blue color: The characteristic blue appearance of GHK-Cu solutions can concern new users but is normal and expected.
• For background on GHK-Cu's mechanism, evidence, and safety profile, see What Is GHK-Cu?.

Tips for Best Results

• Maintain adequate dietary protein (1.2–1.6 g/kg body weight) to provide amino acids for collagen synthesis.
• Ensure adequate vitamin C intake (collagen cross-linking cofactor) and dietary zinc (wound healing cofactor).
• Protect skin from UV exposure during GHK-Cu protocols—new matrix is photosensitive.
• Adequate hydration supports dermal hydration and glycosaminoglycan production.

Injection Tips

• Clean the vial stopper and injection site with separate alcohol swabs; allow both to air-dry fully before proceeding.
• Using a 29–31 gauge insulin syringe (5/16″ to 1/2″ needle), draw the calculated dose precisely.
• Pinch a fold of skin and insert the needle at 45° into subcutaneous fat (90° is acceptable with a short needle into a well-pinched fold).
• Inject slowly over 2–3 seconds; do not aspirate. Withdraw the needle, apply gentle pressure, and do not rub the site.
• Rotate injection sites (abdomen, thighs, upper arms) and dispose of each syringe in a sharps container immediately after use.