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GHK-Cu dosage and protocol

Last reviewed Oct 7, 2026. Editorial policy

US regulatory status: Off Category 2, review pending

Copper peptide complex renowned for skin regeneration, collagen synthesis, and anti-aging effects.

• Vial size: 50 mg
• Reconstitution: 3 mL bacteriostatic water
• Concentration: 16.67 mg/mL
• Administration: subcutaneous

Research areas

• Skin Health
• Collagen Production
• Anti-Aging
• Wound Healing
• Hair Growth

Quick start

• Reconstitute: Add 3.0 mL sterile or bacteriostatic water → 16.67 mg/mL concentration
• Typical range: 1.0–2.0 mg per injection, 3–5 days/week (subcutaneous)
• Easy measuring: At 16.67 mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.01 mL ≈ 167 mcg on a U-100 syringe
• Storage: Lyophilized at −20°C; after reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8°C and use within 30 days

Dosing protocol

How it works

GHK-Cu is the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine bound to a copper(II) ion. GHK occurs naturally in human plasma, saliva and urine, and circulating levels are reported to fall with age. The peptide binds copper with high affinity and is thought to act partly as a copper carrier, delivering the metal to tissues where copper-dependent enzymes such as lysyl oxidase (collagen and elastin cross-linking) and superoxide dismutase (antioxidant defense) operate. In cell culture, GHK-Cu stimulates fibroblasts to produce collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycans, and it modulates matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors, which together govern tissue remodeling. Gene-expression analyses suggest it shifts the activity of a large number of genes toward patterns associated with repair and reduced inflammation, although what that means for a whole organism is not established. Rodent wound models show faster closure and improved angiogenesis. Most human evidence comes from small cosmetic studies of topical creams, which report improvements in skin density, fine lines and photodamage. Controlled human data on injected GHK-Cu are essentially absent, so systemic anti-aging claims rest on extrapolation from cell and animal work rather than clinical trials.

Units chart for a 50 mg vial

Units on a U-100 insulin syringe (100 units = 1 mL).

Pages for each vial size and water volume

• 50 mg vial + 1 mL water
• 50 mg vial + 2 mL water
• 50 mg vial + 3 mL water

Reconstitution steps

• Draw 3.0mL sterile or bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe
• Inject slowly down the vial wall to minimize foaming
• Gently swirl or roll the vial until the peptide fully dissolves (do not shake)
• Label with reconstitution date and refrigerate at 2–8°C, protected from light

Storage

Evidence: Common practice. What vendors and users usually do. No published stability testing supports a specific number.

• Powder or unopened: Sealed powder: freezer (about −20 °C) for long-term storage, refrigerator for weeks. Let the vial reach room temperature before opening.
• Mixed or in use: Refrigerator, 2–8 °C. Do not freeze and thaw repeatedly.
• Use within: no tested number
• Light: Keep it in the box or another dark container.

Most reconstituted peptides are kept in the refrigerator (2–8 °C) and used within about 28 days. That is a convention, not tested data: the 28 days comes from the USP <797> limit for opened multiple-dose containers, which is about sterility, not about whether the peptide stays intact.

Sources: Crestigen: Peptide storage and handling guide; USP General Chapter <797> Pharmaceutical Compounding: Sterile Preparations

Store lyophilized at −20°C in dry, dark conditions. After reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8°C and use within 30 days. Avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles.

Supplies

• Sterile or bacteriostatic water
• Insulin syringes (U-100, 29–31G)
• Alcohol swabs
• Sharps container

Related peptides

• Argireline
• BPC-157
• Cartalax
• CJC-1295
• CJC-1295 + GHRP-2
• CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin Blend

Calculate your GHK-Cu dose in syringe units

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