Research Use Only

21+ Age Verification

How2Pep is an independent, research-grade peptide reference. Nothing here is medical advice or approved for human consumption. To enter, confirm you are 21 years of age or older and provide your email.

Your email is stored to verify access and comply with research-use documentation. We do not sell or share your information.

SingleSkin & Cosmetic

AHK-Cu 50mg

A copper-bound tripeptide studied in vitro for hair follicle stimulation, cellular proliferation, and cosmetic tissue regeneration.

Mechanism

AHK-Cu coordinates copper delivery to stimulate dermal papilla cell proliferation and modulate apoptotic signaling pathways like Bcl-2/Bax to encourage follicular elongation.

Dosing

Preclinical and community research protocols cite a documented starting benchmark of 100 mcg.

Reconstitution

Reconstituting a 50 mg vial with 2.0 mL of bacteriostatic water yields an operational working concentration of 25 mg/mL.

Storage

Keep lyophilized vials frozen at -20 °C protected from moisture and light; once reconstituted, refrigerate at 2–8 °C without freezing and use within 28 days.

Mix & measure AHK-Cu 50mg

Pre-filled with this protocol's recommended BAC water and documented starting dose — edit any field to run your own numbers.

Mix & measure AHK-Cu 50mg

Vial strength → BAC water → target dose

mL
Concentration25.0mg/mL
Draw volume0.004mL
On the syringe0.400units

Total doses in vial: 500.0

100u80u60u40u20u0

U-100 syringe: 100 units = 1 mL

Reconstitution math only — not dosing advice. U-100 syringe: 100 units = 1 mL. Advanced calculator →

Dosing Chart

Phase / Day(s)Dose & FrequencyVolume (U-100 units / mL)
Community Low100 mcg as scheduled0.4 units / 0.004 mL
Community Typical200 mcg as scheduled0.8 units / 0.008 mL
Patent Intradermal Upper500 mcg as scheduled2 units / 0.02 mL
High Laboratory Benchmark1 mg as scheduled4 units / 0.04 mL

Reconstitution Steps

  1. 1

    Clean the rubber stoppers of both the AHK-Cu vial and bacteriostatic water vial using sterile alcohol prep pads and allow them to dry fully.

  2. 2

    Draw 2.0 mL of bacteriostatic water using a sterile syringe.

  3. 3

    Insert the needle into the AHK-Cu vial at a slight angle and direct the stream gently down the interior glass wall.

  4. 4

    Swirl the vial gently until the lyophilized cake is fully dissolved, yielding a clear solution with a faint blue tint; avoid vigorous shaking.

  5. 5

    Place the reconstituted solution in refrigerated storage at 2–8 °C protected from light.

Supplies Needed

Peptide Vial

Peptide Vial

Contains 50 mg lyophilized AHK-Cu powder

Insulin Syringes (U-100)

Insulin Syringes (U-100)

For drawing micro-volume aliquots with fine calibrations

Bacteriostatic Water

Bacteriostatic Water

2.0 mL diluent used to achieve a 25 mg/mL concentration

Alcohol Swabs

Alcohol Swabs

To sanitize vial tops and equipment before fluid transfer

Why researchers study it

1

Dermal papilla cell proliferation

2

Ex-vivo hair follicle elongation

3

Copper-mediated extracellular matrix remodeling

4

Comparative topical transdermal delivery

These describe what is being studied, not proven benefits, approved uses, or promised results.

Overview

AHK-Cu, or Copper Tripeptide-3, is a synthetic copper-peptide complex composed of L-alanyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine coordinated with a divalent copper ion. Positioned chemically within the same structural class as GHK-Cu, this compound is primarily recognized in preclinical literature for its investigation into dermal tissue biology and hair follicle dynamics. While lyophilized vials exist across peptide research channels, the molecule lacks clinical human trials and remains strictly a subject of experimental inquiry. Scientific interest in AHK-Cu originated from cellular assays examining dermal papilla activity and follicle shaft elongation. Due to its hydrophilic composition, patent literature historically emphasized its suitability for topical skin permeation rather than parenteral application. Much of the wider physiological data attributed to AHK-Cu is largely derived by analogy from GHK-Cu in vivo models, leaving its standalone injectable profile largely uncharacterized. In laboratory environments, reconstitution requires careful handling to maintain molecular stability and prevent the dissociation of the coordinate copper bond. Because documented community and patent research doses are exceptionally small relative to standard 50 mg vial sizes, experimental measurements demand meticulous volumetric dilution and precision handling.

References

  1. 1.Pyo et al., Archives of Pharmacal Research, 2007 — Effect of tripeptide-copper complex on human hair growth in vitro
  2. 2.Pickart & Margolina, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2018 — Regenerative and protective actions of the GHK-Cu peptide
  3. 3.Pickart, Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition, 2008 — The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodeling
  4. 4.Pickart, US Patent 5,550,183, 1996 — Metal-peptide compositions and methods for stimulating hair growth
  5. 5.Pallenberg et al., US Patent 5,538,945, 1996 — Stimulation of hair growth by peptide copper complexes
  6. 6.Maquart et al., Journal of Clinical Investigation, 1993 — In vivo stimulation of connective tissue accumulation by GHK-Cu in rat wounds
  7. 7.Siméon et al., Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000 — Modulation of glycosaminoglycans and small proteoglycans in wounds by GHK-Cu
  8. 8.Swaim et al., American Journal of Veterinary Research, 1996 — Effect of locally injected medications on pad wound healing in dogs
  9. 9.Ma et al., Life Sciences, 2019 — Protective effects of GHK-Cu in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis
  10. 10.Maquart et al., FEBS Letters, 1988 — Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by GHK-Cu
  11. 11.Parker et al., Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, 2013 — Effects of topical copper tripeptide complex on wound healing in irradiated rats

Supplies Needed

Suggested supplier

Research use only. Listing a supplier is not an endorsement of any protocol on this site, and nothing sold there is approved for human use.

Related protocols

View all
How2Pep

An independent, research-grade peptide reference library. Reconstitution, dosing, and storage protocols — evidence-referenced and not affiliated with any vendor.

Notice

Research use only. Nothing on this site is medical advice or approved for human consumption. Protocols reference peer-reviewed data where available.

© 2026 How2Pep · Independent reference

Admin

Educational research information only.