Overview
A copper-binding tripeptide closely related to GHK-Cu, distinguished in the literature by a research focus on hair-follicle biology and dermal microvasculature rather than general skin remodelling.
Mechanism of Action
AHK is a tripeptide that chelates copper(II) with high affinity, forming a complex that delivers copper to tissue in a bioavailable form.
Copper is a required cofactor for lysyl oxidase, the enzyme that cross-links collagen and elastin, which underpins reported effects on dermal structure.
Published work reports stimulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in dermal papilla cells, proposed as the route for effects reported on follicle vascularisation.
Studies report increased dermal papilla cell proliferation in culture, which is the primary mechanistic finding cited in hair-related research.
Areas Being Studied
- Hair-follicle biology and dermal papilla research
- Dermal microvascularisation
- Collagen synthesis and skin remodelling
- Cosmetic formulation research
Listing a research area does not imply efficacy, approval, or suitability for any use.
Research Summary
- In vitro work reports increased proliferation of human dermal papilla cells and elevated VEGF expression following exposure to AHK-Cu.
- Studies report increased collagen production in dermal fibroblast culture, consistent with the copper–lysyl oxidase pathway.
- Most published evidence is cell-culture based; controlled human trials are scarce, and much of the practical literature comes from cosmetic formulation research rather than independent clinical study.
- Comparative work with GHK-Cu is limited, so claims of differentiated activity are weakly evidenced.
Potential Adverse Effects Reported in Research
- Topical copper-peptide research reports local irritation, redness and occasional contact sensitisation.
- Copper accumulation is a theoretical concern with sustained high-dose exposure; reviews note the absence of long-term data.
- Injectable use is poorly characterised in the literature, with injection-site reactions the main reported finding.
- No substantive systemic safety dataset exists.
Reconstitution Basics
Supplied as a lyophilised blue-tinted powder reflecting the copper complex. Laboratory documentation describes reconstitution with bacteriostatic water, noting that copper complexes are sensitive to pH and to chelating excipients.
Bacteriostatic water
Sterile water containing roughly 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a preservative, which inhibits bacterial growth in multi-access vials.
Sterile technique
Laboratory documentation describes disinfecting the stopper, using a fresh sterile needle for each access, and avoiding contact with non-sterile surfaces.
After reconstitution
Solutions are refrigerated, protected from light, and not subjected to repeated freeze–thaw cycles.
This section is educational background on laboratory handling. It is not an instruction or protocol.
Open the reconstitution calculator →Dosing & Reconstitution Guide
AHK-Cu appears almost exclusively in dermatological and hair-follicle research, applied topically or by intradermal microinjection in short cycles.
Protocol overview
- Topical and intradermal routes dominate; systemic administration is not the studied use.
- Copper-peptide preparations are not combined with strong acids or vitamin C in the same application in cosmetic literature.
- Local irritation and transient discolouration are the commonly reported observations.
Dosing protocol — standard titration
| Phase | Reported dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | Low-concentration topical applicationPatch-style tolerability observation. | Patch-style tolerability observation. |
| Weeks 3–12 | Cited topical concentration daily, or intradermal sessions every 1–2 weeksFollicle studies ran 3 months. | Follicle studies ran 3 months. |
| After 12 weeks | Reassess or pauseCopper-peptide protocols are cycled. | Copper-peptide protocols are cycled. |
Dosing protocol — gradual titration
| Phase | Reported dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–4 | Alternate-day topicalReduces irritation reports. | Reduces irritation reports. |
| Weeks 5–12 | Daily topicalStandard research cadence. | Standard research cadence. |
| Weeks 13+ | BreakCopper load is the stated reason for cycling. | Copper load is the stated reason for cycling. |
Schedules summarise what appears in published studies, trial protocols or manufacturer documentation. They are reference material, not a recommendation.
Where to Buy Compounds & Supplies
External link. PepDex does not sell products and does not endorse any supplier.
Supplies needed
Lyophilised peptide vial
Sealed vial with an intact stopper and a legible mass label (mg or mcg).
Bacteriostatic water
Sterile water with ~0.9% benzyl alcohol, used where a vial will be accessed more than once. Sterile water for injection is used for single-access work.
Reconstitution syringe
A 1–3 mL syringe with a larger-gauge needle for drawing and transferring solvent.
Insulin syringe (U-100)
Fine-gauge syringe graduated in units; 100 units = 1 mL. Used for accurate small-volume measurement.
Alcohol prep pads
70% isopropyl swabs for disinfecting both vial stoppers before every access.
Sharps container
Rigid, puncture-resistant container for single-use needle disposal.
Refrigeration and light protection
2–8 °C storage plus an opaque box or the original carton for reconstituted vials.
Labels
Date of reconstitution, resulting concentration and compound name on every vial.
Reconstitution steps
- 01
Bring the vial to room temperature
Lyophilised powder is allowed to equilibrate out of the refrigerator before the stopper is pierced, which reduces condensation inside the vial.
- 02
Disinfect both stoppers
The peptide vial and the bacteriostatic water vial are each swabbed with 70% isopropyl alcohol and allowed to air dry.
- 03
Draw the calculated solvent volume
Solvent volume is chosen to produce a convenient concentration — the reconstitution calculator converts vial mass and solvent volume into concentration and syringe units.
- 04
Add the solvent slowly down the vial wall
The stream is directed against the glass rather than onto the powder cake. Peptides are shear-sensitive and direct jetting is avoided.
- 05
Dissolve without shaking
The vial is left to stand, then gently swirled or rolled. Shaking introduces foam and mechanical stress that can denature peptide chains.
- 06
Inspect the solution
Documentation describes checking for a clear, particle-free solution. Cloudiness, visible particulate or discolouration is treated as a failed preparation.
- 07
Label and refrigerate
The vial is labelled with compound, concentration and date, then stored at 2–8 °C protected from light.
Storage instructions
- Before reconstitution: lyophilised powder is kept sealed, dry and away from light; most suppliers specify refrigeration at 2–8 °C, with freezer storage for long-term holding.
- After reconstitution: refrigerated at 2–8 °C and used within the window described in the literature (commonly cited as ~30 days refrigerated).
- Protection from light: the vial is kept in its carton or an opaque container; repeated exposure to daylight is avoided.
- Handling: repeated freeze–thaw cycles are avoided, and vials are not left at room temperature between accesses.
- Integrity checks: any solution that becomes cloudy, discoloured or shows particulate is discarded rather than filtered.
Half-Life
Short (minutes to low hours), poorly characterised
Formal pharmacokinetic data are limited; copper peptides are generally described as rapidly cleared, with tissue copper delivery rather than plasma exposure considered the relevant variable.
Storage
- Before reconstitution
- Lyophilised powder stored frozen at −20 °C.
- After reconstitution
- Refrigerated at 2–8 °C after reconstitution.
- Light protection
- Protected from light; copper complexes are also sensitive to oxidation.
- Shelf-life considerations
- Reconstituted solutions are typically described as usable for a few weeks refrigerated.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
Related peptides
GHK-Cu
A naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide found in human plasma. It is among the best characterised peptides in dermatological and wound-healing research.
BPC-157
A synthetic pentadecapeptide derived from a sequence identified in human gastric juice. It is one of the most widely studied peptides in preclinical tissue-repair research, though human clinical data remains very limited.
TB-500
A synthetic fragment related to thymosin beta-4, a naturally occurring actin-sequestering protein. Research focuses on cell migration, angiogenesis and soft-tissue repair, with a substantial veterinary literature.
Educational reference only. Figures are compiled from published research literature. PepDex does not provide medical advice, dosing recommendations, or instructions for use.