GHK-Cu (copper peptide)
Copper-binding tripeptide that declines with age and supports skin, wound healing, hair and lung repair.
Summary
GHK is a short peptide (glycine-histidine-lysine) that binds copper, is released from collagen and matrix proteins at injury sites, and falls from about 200 ng/ml at age 20 to about 80 ng/ml in the 60s. Studies show it changes expression of thousands of genes (including DNA repair genes), promotes skin collagen, protects skin stem cells, lowers IL-6 and TNF-alpha, and reduces lung injury in an LPS model. Human evidence is thin: a small COPD study found low GHK, and one placebo-controlled trial of a 5-ALA plus GHK complex increased hair count. She notes there is little randomized trial data for skin, and no clear data on oral or inhaled use.
Using The Ordinary copper peptide serum: 'I like it, and it makes my skin feel good.' Likely not the fountain of youth.From GHK-Cu Peptide in Skin, Hair, and Lung Health
The evidence
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Human trial
A 6-month placebo-controlled clinical trial of a 5-ALA plus GHK peptide complex significantly increased hair count.
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Human obs.
Serum GHK averages about 200 ng/ml at age 20 but about 80 ng/ml by the 60s.
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Human obs.
A small study found people with COPD have about half the serum GHK of age-matched healthy controls; in mice exposed to cigarette smoke, GHK-Cu improved muscle dysfunction and exercise ability.
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Animal
In an animal model of hair loss, GHK-Cu (in solution or liposomal) increased hair growth and VEGF expression.
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Cell
In an LPS lung-injury tissue model, GHK-Cu modulated TNF-alpha and IL-6, preventing excess inflammation and reducing lung tissue damage.
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Cell
In skin culture studies, GHK-Cu increased the survival of skin stem cells.
Cautions
- Most powder/capsule GHK-Cu is sold online as a 'research chemical'; look for a third-party certificate of analysis and check company reviews.
- Some copper peptide serums seem like a scam, are overpriced, or too weak; a strong blue color suggests more peptide.
- Little randomized clinical trial data for skin, and she found few studies on oral or inhaled use; she notes it likely has no negative side effects for hair use.