Healing
AHK-Cu
Skin
32
Amino acids
Molecular weight
Peptide
Type
AHK-Cu (Alanyl-Histidyl-Lysine copper complex, also known as Copper Tripeptide-3) is a synthetic tripeptide chelated with a copper ion, developed for its potent dermatological activity. It stimulates hair follicle elongation, dermal papilla cell proliferation, and anti-apoptotic signaling while promoting collagen deposition and angiogenesis in skin tissue. It is primarily studied in preclinical in vitro and ex vivo models for applications in hair loss treatment and skin regeneration.
Top researched benefits
Overview of AHK-Cu
AHK-Cu delivers bioavailable copper directly to dermal papilla cells, where it elevates the Bcl-2/Bax ratio to suppress apoptosis, upregulates VEGF to stimulate vascularization, reduces TGF-β1-driven fibrosis, and enhances superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity to neutralize oxidative stress, collectively extending the anagen (growth) phase of the hair follicle cycle.
hair growth
- Ex vivo studies demonstrate AHK-Cu stimulates human hair follicle elongation at concentrations as low as 10⁻¹² M, promoting longer anagen phase.
- Increases proliferation of dermal papilla cells, the key regulatory cells for hair follicle cycling and hair growth.
- Boosts vascular endothelial growth factor production, improving blood flow and nutrient delivery to hair follicles.
- Reduces TGF-β1 secretion and oxidative stress (via SOD), both contributing to DHT-induced follicle miniaturization.
skin regeneration
- Activates fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis for improved skin structure and wound healing.
- Elevates Bcl-2/Bax ratio and reduces caspase-3 activation, protecting cells from programmed death.
- Promotes collagen and ECM component deposition for tissue renewal and repair.
Typical Dose
0.5–1mg per application as 1–2% topical solution
Frequency
once to twice daily
Cycle Duration
12 weeks continuous; no cycling required
Storage
Lyophilized powder: -20°C for up to 1 year (-80°C for 2 years). Reconstituted solution: 2–8°C, use within 28–30 days. Do not freeze after reconstitution.
Chemical Makeup
Key benefits
Stimulates human hair follicle elongation ex vivo at picomolar to nanomolar concentrations, extending the anagen growth phase
Promotes dermal papilla cell proliferation and suppresses apoptosis by elevating the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and reducing caspase-3 cleavage
Upregulates VEGF expression in dermal fibroblasts, enhancing blood vessel formation and nutrient delivery to hair follicles
Reduces TGF-β1 secretion in fibroblasts, decreasing scar-forming fibrosis and improving tissue remodeling quality
Community interest
This peptide is still gaining traction in the community.
Copper Tripeptide | Hair Regrowth & Skin Regeneration
This overview is informational and based on aggregated descriptions from studies and user reports.
Was it helpful?YesNoAHK-Cu Molecular Information
View the scientifc details of AHK-Cu.
32
Amino Acids
AHK-Cu
Leu
Leu
Position 1
Ala
Ala
Position 2
Leu
Leu
Position 3
Ala
Ala
Position 4
Asn
Asn
Position 5
Tyr
Tyr
Position 6
Leu
Leu
Position 7
Leu
Leu
Position 8
His
His
Position 9
Ile
Ile
Position 10
Ser
Ser
Position 11
Thr
Thr
Position 12
Ile
Ile
Position 13
Asp
Asp
Position 14
Tyr
Tyr
Position 15
Leu
Leu
Position 16
Leu
Leu
Position 17
Leu
Leu
Position 18
Tyr
Tyr
Position 19
Ser
Ser
Position 20
Ile
Ile
Position 21
Asn
Asn
Position 22
Glu
Glu
Position 23
Ala
Ala
Position 24
Leu
Leu
Position 25
Ala
Ala
Position 26
His
His
Position 27
Ile
Ile
Position 28
Ser
Ser
Position 29
Leu
Leu
Position 30
Tyr
Tyr
Position 31
Ser
Ser
Position 32
Molecular Weight
415.93DaChain Length
32Amino AcidsType
PeptideAHK-Cu Protocols
Topical application is the primary and most documented delivery method for AHK-Cu, targeting dermal papilla cells in the scalp to stimulate hair follicle elongation and support the anagen growth phase. Applied directly to the scalp as a serum or spray, it provides localized copper peptide activity with minimal systemic absorption.
| Goal | Dosage | Frequency | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maintain baseline scalp environment and support follicle cycling in healthy individuals | 0.01 | 1 day range | Topical application |
| Increase visible hair density and counteract progressive thinning | 0.03 | 2 day range | Topical application |
| Slow or reverse active androgenetic hair loss by extending anagen phase | 0.05 | 2 day range | Topical application |
| Accelerate healing of scalp irritation, micro-wounds, or post-procedure recovery | 0.02 | 2 day range | Topical application |
| Stimulate dermal collagen production and improve scalp skin quality | 0.01 | 1 day range | Topical application |
Reconstitution Instructions
Materials needed:
Steps to reconstitute
- Wash the scalp with a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo to remove oil, dirt, and product buildup that would impede absorption
- Towel-dry hair until damp — not soaking wet — as excess water dilutes the serum and reduces its effectiveness
- Part hair into sections using a fine-tooth comb to expose the scalp in the treatment area
- Apply 3–5 drops of AHK-Cu serum directly onto the scalp surface, focusing on areas of visible thinning or hair loss
- Use fingertips to gently massage the serum into the scalp with small circular motions for 2–3 minutes to enhance absorption and local circulation
- Allow 15–20 minutes for absorption before applying other topicals such as minoxidil or styling products
- Do not rinse — leave the serum on the scalp overnight or for a minimum of 4 hours post-application
- Avoid applying AHK-Cu at the same time as high-concentration AHAs, BHAs, or vitamin C, which can destabilize the copper-peptide bond
AHK-Cu Cycle
The AHK-Cu Cycle section explains how long a typical cycle lasts and what to expect during each phase. Over time, your body can become less responsive with continuous use.
Taking breaks between cycles may help maintain effectiveness and support better overall results.
- Week 1-2
- No visible changes; peptide is working at cellular level
- Week 2-4
- Some users report reduced hair shedding; scalp may feel healthier
- Month 1-2
- Vellus (fine) hairs may begin appearing in thinning areas
- Month 2-3
- New growth becoming visible; existing hairs may appear thicker
- Month 3-4
- Noticeable improvement in hair density and quality
- Month 4-6
- Significant results visible; continued improvement expected
- Month 6-12
- Full results achieved with consistent use
Dosing tools
AHK-Cu Peptide Dosage Calculator
Calculate peptide doses with our visual syringe guide.
mg
Enter the total amount of peptide in the vial in milligrams (as stated on the label).
The dose you want to inject per administration, in mcg or mg.
1,000 mcg = 1 mg
1 mL
2 mL
3 mL
5 mL
Custom
Volume of bacteriostatic water you add to reconstitute the powder. Use BAC water for preservation.
Injection Results
Based on your vial and dilution inputs.
AHK-Cu
SINGLE COMPOUNDVolume per injection
0.05
mL
Concentration
10.00
mg/mL
Doses per vial
20
doses
Total injections per vial
20 injections
How it works
Based on a 10 mg AHK-Cu vial diluted with 1 mL of bacteriostatic water, each 500 mcg injection equals 0.05 mL.
1mL / 100 units
5 units
0.050 mL
Reference Guide
Dosing Cycle
- Peptide
- AHK-Cu
- Dosing
- 0.5–1mg per application as 1–2% topical solution
- Dosing Frequency
- once to twice daily
- Cycle Duration
- 12 weeks continuous; no cycling required
- Storage
- Lyophilized powder: -20°C for up to 1 year (-80°C for 2 years). Reconstituted solution: 2–8°C, use within 28–30 days. Do not freeze after reconstitution.
Note: Triple agonist; microdose for fewer side effects
Reconstitution Tips
- Use bacteriostatic water (BAC) — contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol for preservation
- Inject water slowly — aim down the vial wall, not directly onto powder
- Never shake — gently swirl or roll the vial until dissolved
- Store properly — refrigerate at 2-8°C after reconstitution
- Use within 28 days — most reconstituted peptides remain stable for about 4 weeks
- Keep sterile — always clean vial tops with alcohol before drawing
Peptide Interactions
Research suggestions of AHK-Cu interactions with other common peptides and substances.
Healing
bpc
Longevity
BPC-157
COMPATIBLE
Different tissue repair mechanisms - BPC-157 promotes systemic healing while AHK-Cu targets skin/hair.
Healing
ghk
Longevity
GHK-Cu
SYNERGISTIC
Complementary copper peptides targeting different aspects of tissue regeneration. GHK-Cu excels at skin repair while AHK-Cu targets hair follicles.
Side effects
Contraindications
Not for use on broken or infected skin
Avoid eye area - may cause irritation
Do not use if allergic to copper or peptides
Not recommended during acute skin infections
Stop signs
Persistent scalp irritation, itching, or burning
Allergic reaction: rash, hives, swelling
Increased hair shedding that doesn't improve after 4-6 weeks
Signs of copper sensitivity: metallic taste, nausea
Skin discoloration at application site
Any unexpected adverse reactions
Bad signs
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Frequently asked questions
What is a peptide dosage calculator?
A peptide dosage calculator is a free tool that converts your vial size, bacteriostatic water volume, and target dose into an exact syringe draw volume. Instead of doing the reconstitution math by hand, you enter three inputs and instantly get the concentration of your solution and how many milliliters or syringeunits to draw. This calculator works for single peptide compounds and multi-peptide blends.
How do I calculate peptide dosage from a vial?
To calculate your peptide dose, divide the total peptide content of your vial in micrograms by the volume of bacteriostatic water you added in milliliters. This gives you your solution concentration in mcg/mL. Then divide your target dose by that concentration to get your draw volume. For example, a 5mg (5,000 mcg) vial reconstituted with 2mL of BAC water gives a concentration of 2,500 mcg/mL. A 250 mcg dose would require drawing 0.1mL. This calculator automates all of those steps instantly.
How much Bacteriostatic water should I add to a peptide vial?
Most people add 2mL to 3mL of bacteriostatic water per vial, but the right amount depends on the dose you want to draw and the syringe size you are using. Adding 1mL to a 5mg vial gives you a concentration of 5,000 mcg/mL, making each dose very small in volume. Adding 2mL gives you 2,500 mcg/mL, which is easier to measure on a standard insulin syringe. A general guideline is to choose a volume that puts your typical dose somewhere between 10 and 30 units on a U-100 syringe. Use the calculator above to test different water volumes and find what works for your dose.
How are peptides different from proteins?
Both are made of amino acids, but peptides are much smaller than proteins. Because of their tiny size, peptides can act like tiny messengers in the body, sending specific signals to your cells to tell them exactly what to do.
AHK-CuResearch References
AHK-Cu is a preclinical compound
AHK-Cu
AHK-Cu is a preclinical compound
Tripeptide-Copper Complex Effect on Human Hair Growth In Vitro
AHK-Cu (10⁻¹² to 10⁻⁹ M) stimulated human hair follicle elongation ex vivo and dermal papilla cell proliferation in vitro. Elevated Bcl-2/Bax ratio and reduced cleaved caspase-3/PARP levels indicate anti-apoptotic mechanism.
2007
Copper Tripeptide Effects on VEGF and TGF-β1
Copper tripeptide complexes increase VEGF production while decreasing TGF-β1 secretion by dermal fibroblasts.
n.d.
Human Skin Penetration of Copper Tripeptide In Vitro
Evaluated transdermal delivery of copper tripeptide, demonstrating penetration through skin layers with potential for topical therapeutic applications.
n.d.
Ionic Liquid Microemulsions for Topical Peptide Delivery
Novel delivery system using thermodynamically stable ionic liquid microemulsions to improve topical delivery and stability of copper tripeptides.
2023
Calculate peptide dosages
Learning how to calculate a peptide dose? Use our beginner-friendly peptide dosage, blend, and accumulation calculators. Enter vial size, reconstitution volume, and target dose to get exact draw volumes instantly. No guesswork, just clear guidance that helps prevent common mistakes.
