AHK-Cu (Copper Tripeptide)

What is AHK-Cu (Copper Tripeptide)?

AHK-Cu is a synthetic copper-binding tripeptide, the amino acids Alanine, Histidine, and Lysine carrying a copper ion, sold mostly as a topical cosmetic for hair growth. Think of it as the lesser-known cousin of GHK-Cu: the two molecules differ by a single amino acid, yet their evidence bases are not even close. The proposed logic is targeted copper delivery to skin and follicle tissue, where copper helps cross-link collagen and elastin and where the peptide is said to raise VEGF and wake up the dermal-papilla cells that drive follicle growth, per Pyo 2007. That story is coherent.

From the BioHarmony report, reviewed 2026-09-08.

How it is thought to work

Targeted copper delivery to skin and follicle tissue, with proposed VEGF and dermal-papilla stimulation

Safety watch-outs

• Persistent or spreading scalp rash, swelling, or contact dermatitis: stop applying and let the skin recover.
• Anyone considering injectable or mesotherapy use: it is off-label, non-approved, and unstudied for AHK-Cu
• do not inject.

Full risk profile in the BioHarmony report.

Dosing as published

No approved-label or study protocol is recorded for AHK-Cu (Copper Tripeptide) yet.

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