GHK-Cu

Also known as: Prezatide copper acetate, copper peptide, copper tripeptide-1, glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper, glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper complex

DermatologyHair RestoreWellness

In plain English

GHK-Cu is a small copper-carrying peptide found naturally in the body and used in skin and hair products. It is studied mainly as a skin-repair and anti-aging ingredient that supports collagen and wound healing, and it is added to some hair formulas. Most of the supporting research is laboratory and small cosmetic studies rather than large clinical trials, so it is best described as a supportive/cosmetic ingredient.

The science

GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) binds copper(II) to form GHK-Cu, first isolated by Pickart in 1973. It stimulates collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, supports fibroblast function, promotes angiogenesis, and has broad gene-expression-modulating and antioxidant/anti-inflammatory effects (Pickart & Margolina, 2018; Pickart et al., 2015). Wound-healing activity is well documented in animal models and it is widely used topically in cosmetics. Human evidence for systemic administration (nasal/injectable) is limited, and it is not an FDA-approved drug for those routes. "Prezatide copper acetate" is a related GHK-copper preparation used in some compounded combinations.

References

• Pickart L, Margolina A, Int J Mol Sci 2018
• Pickart L et al., BioMed Res Int 2015
• Pickart L & Margolina A, Int J Mol Sci 2018 (GHK-Cu regenerative actions)
• Pickart L & Margolina A, Cosmetics 2018 (skin regenerative copper peptides)