AHK-Cu quick reference
What is AHK-Cu?
Copper-bound peptide in the same family as GHK-Cu.
Used as a scalp serum for hair thickness and shedding.
Lab data only; no finished human trial.
How AHK-Cu works
Boosted growth of the cells that steer hair follicles.
Shifted cell-death markers in papilla cells.
Human hair follicles grew longer in culture.
Delivers copper, which collagen and antioxidant enzymes need.
What AHK-Cu is studied for
Human hair follicles grew longer in dishes.
More hair-papilla cells at 1 pM–1 nM.
Fewer cell-death signals in papilla cells (one marker not significant).
A mixed-peptide serum study is registered; no results yet.
No finished human trial found.
AHK-Cu dosing protocol
| Item | What is known |
|---|---|
| Human dose | Not established |
| Studied in | Human hair follicles and hair-papilla cells in dishes |
| Concentration in the lab study | 1 picomolar to 1 nanomolar (10^-12 to 10^-9 mol/L) |
| Registered study (NCT07888595) | Water-based serum with small peptides, including AHK-Cu, on marked skin sites; amount not stated; enrolling by invitation |
Pyo HK et al. 2007 (Arch Pharm Res). NCT07888595 is an early phase 1 aging-clock study (48 planned) with a mixed peptide serum; it is not an AHK-Cu trial on its own.
Label and trial amounts come from the sources below. Community amounts are what people report; they have not been tested.
Mixing
Topical only. Mix powder into a serum base; refrigerate, protect from light.
What the research found
No human results exist. One 2007 lab study:
Pyo HK et al. Arch Pharm Res 2007 (PMID 17703734), human hair follicles ex vivo and cultured dermal papilla cells.
AHK-Cu community experience
What users report. Not tested in trials.
Positive reports
- Less shedding Often the first change, within a month.
- Thicker feel Strands feel stronger before any visible regrowth.
- Slow and steady Gains build over months and are rarely dramatic.
Negative & mixed
- Little change Some see no density gain after months.
- Scalp irritation Redness, itching or dryness, especially layered with other actives.
- Rarely used alone Mostly combined with other hair treatments.
AHK-Cu stacking
Different routes to growth. Not studied together.
Two copper peptides in one serum. Not studied together.
Common routine. Skip serum right after deep needling.
AHK-Cu side effects & safety
Common
- No human safety data for AHK-Cu on its own.
- User reports: scalp redness, itching or warmth.
- User reports: dryness or flaking, especially with alcohol carriers.
- Irritation rises when layered with other scalp actives.
Less common
- Contact dermatitis or allergic-type rash.
- Persistent burning or worsening scalp inflammation.
- More irritation with minoxidil, retinoids or acids.
Precautions
- Patch test a small area for 24 hours first.
- Avoid on broken skin, scalp infection or open wounds.
- Take care with eczema, psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis.
- Avoid in pregnancy or breastfeeding; no data.
- Known copper allergy.
Our verdict on AHK-Cu
Lab data hint at a hair effect, but no human trial exists. Expect slow results.
AHK-Cu FAQ
Does AHK-Cu regrow hair?
Not shown in people. Lab studies show follicles growing in dishes.
How is AHK-Cu different from GHK-Cu?
One amino acid differs (Ala instead of Gly), and AHK-Cu has hair-focused lab data.
Is AHK-Cu injected?
No. It is used as a scalp serum.
How long until results?
Users say months. No trial timelines exist.
Sources
- Pyo HK et al. Arch Pharm Res 2007, PMID 17703734
- ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07888595 (topical anti-aging peptide serum, early phase 1)
- Drugs@FDA / openFDA search: no AHK-Cu product