Comparison
GHK-Cu vs AHK-Cu
GHK-Cu: broad-spectrum skin and healing; AHK-Cu: laser-focused hair follicle support.
GHK-Cu
Copper-Binding Tripeptide
AHK-Cu
Copper Tripeptide
Effectiveness Profile
At a Glance
| GHK-Cu | AHK-Cu | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Healing Peptide | Hair |
| Legal status | Research | Research |
| Half-life | Minutes to ~2 hours (plasma, injectable); topical effects persist for days as copper is deposited into tissue | Not established (topical); biological activity assumed over hours post-application |
| Preferred route | Topical | Topical |
| Dose frequency | once-daily | once-daily |
| Beginner dose | 1–1 mg | 0.5–1 mg |
| Intermediate dose | 1–2 mg | 1–5 mg |
| Advanced dose | 2–3 mg | 5–10 mg |
| Cycle length | 4–12 wks | 12–52 wks |
| Time to peak | 0.5h | — |
| Active duration | 24h | 12h |
| Storage | Lyophilized: 2–8°C protected from light. Reconstituted/topical serum: refrigerate, use within ~30 days. | Lyophilized powder stored at -20°C; reconstituted serum refrigerated at 2–8°C and used within 4–6 weeks |
| PCT required | No | No |
| Ancillaries required | No | No |
| Safe for women | Yes | Yes |
Verdict
GHK-Cu wins for overall dermal health, multi-pathway tissue repair, and skin rejuvenation. Its gene expression modulation and established role in collagen synthesis make it the gold standard for anti-aging topicals and wound-healing research. Topical viability and broad stack compatibility are proven.
AHK-Cu wins for highly targeted dermal papilla stimulation, follicle elongation, and supporting anagen phase in hair protocols. For pure follicle trophism and as an additive to a fin/min/RU stack, AHK-Cu demonstrates superior hair-centric potency, particularly when co-formulated or microneedled.
Pick A or B?
Pick GHK-Cu if:
- The protocol's priority is comprehensive skin repair, reduction of fine lines, or anti-aging effects.
- Tissue healing, scar remodeling, or post-procedure recovery is a primary goal.
- Seeking a peptide with evidence across collagen, elastin, glycosaminoglycan, and angiogenesis upregulation.
- Inclusion in an injury-rehab or "healing trinity" stack with BPC-157 and TB-500.
- Broader systemic repair is prioritized over hair follicle specifics.
Pick AHK-Cu if:
- Follicle-strengthening and hair retention are the main targets, especially alongside established anti-androgen or minoxidil protocols.
- Intensifying dermal papilla proliferation and anagen extension for aggressive anti-shedding strategies.
- Stacking specifically with minoxidil, finasteride, RU58841, or pyrilutamide for synergy in hair-centric stacks.
- Looking for a focused vehicle in topical or microneedled scalp research with minimal impact on non-hair tissue.
- Interested in combining with GHK-Cu for a dual-action hair/skin topical.
Where to Buy
Swiss Chems
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Real Peptides
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- GHK-Cu· GHK-Cu CosmeticBuy GHK-Cu
- AHK-Cu· AHK-CUBuy AHK-Cu