AHK Copper · Alanyl-Histidyl-Lysine Copper
AHK-Cu (Alanyl-Histidyl-Lysine-Copper) is a copper-bound tripeptide closely related to GHK-Cu. Where GHK-Cu primarily targets skin remodeling and collagen biology, AHK-Cu is more specifically researched for hair follicle stimulation and hair regrowth. The copper coordination chemistry and downstream signaling overlap substantially with GHK-Cu - both peptides bind copper(II) in a 1:1 complex and modulate gene expression related to extracellular matrix remodeling, angiogenesis, and antioxidant defense.
Starting dose. 1-3% topical serum/solution (start 0.5%, step to 1-2% if tolerated)
Topical: apply to scalp daily, leave on overnight. Injectable: 1-2x weekly to scalp area. Light-sensitive (copper complex).
Start here. Every protocol below is ordered lowest-first. Begin at the smallest effective dose, hold about a week to assess tolerance, and step up only if needed.
AHK-Cu chelates copper(II) in 1:1 stoichiometry, similar to GHK-Cu. The peptide-copper complex is taken up by cells via reduction at the membrane and modulates intracellular gene expression:
Promotes vellus-to-terminal hair conversion in dermal papilla cell cultures. Upregulates VEGF, FGF-7 (KGF), and other growth factors at hair follicles.
Same coordination chemistry as GHK-Cu - copper conjugation is the bioactive form. Copper-free forms have reduced or absent activity.
NEVER co-store with thiol/Met/Cys-containing peptides. Copper drives oxidation of these residues during co-storage, degrading both peptides.
Small tripeptide passes through stratum corneum reasonably well. Often formulated with penetration enhancers in commercial products.
Often combined - GHK-Cu for skin/scalp matrix, AHK-Cu for hair-specific follicle stimulation.
Weeks 1-4: minimal subjective change.
Weeks 4-12: subtle hair texture improvements.
Weeks 12-24: visible hair density increase if responsive.
Each reference below was re-fetched from its PubMed record, and the quoted sentence was confirmed to appear in that abstract and to support the claim it sits under. Follow any of them to read the source.
Mechanism/effect: exact AHK-Cu stimulated human hair-follicle elongation ex vivo and dermal-papilla-cell proliferation in vitro.
AHK-Cu (10(-12) - 10(-9) M) stimulated the elongation of human hair follicles ex vivo and the proliferation of DPCs in vitro.
The effect of tripeptide-copper complex on human hair growth in vitro.
Evidence scope. Human hair follicles ex vivo plus human dermal papilla cells in vitro; no in-vivo/clinical human trial in this paper.
Claims we could not support
No abstract we checked supports these for this molecule at this route. That is not the same as saying they are false — it marks where the evidence is missing.
Dose/route: 0.5-3% topical serum daily. The only exact-molecule abstract used ex vivo/in-vitro molar concentrations, not a topical percentage formulation in people.
Primary safety concern for topical or injected AHK-Cu. No checked clinical abstract established safety for either displayed route.
Hours plasma; tissue effects days-weeks
Topical 30-60 min, SubQ 1-2 hours
Hours plasma; hair effects accumulate over weeks
Topical low absorption, subQ moderate
Hair effects build over 12-24 weeks
Hepatic copper handling
Storage. Refrigerate. Light-sensitive (copper complex). Reconstituted: 21-28 days refrigerated. Discard if color changes.
Not FDA-approved. Sold as cosmeceutical (topical) or research chemical (injectable). WADA: not specifically prohibited.
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