A copper tripeptide used topically for hair — with a single published study, conducted in cell and isolated-follicle culture.
AHK-Cu is a synthetic tripeptide-copper complex (Alanine-Histidine-Lysine bound to copper). It’s a sister peptide to GHK-Cu with a nearly identical size and chemistry, and it is widely described as having a receptor profile that makes it more selective for hair follicles than GHK-Cu. No published study compares the two, and AHK-Cu’s receptor has not been characterised, so treat that positioning as marketing rather than a finding.
Most users think of it as "GHK-Cu for hair": similar safety and copper delivery, but tuned specifically for hair regrowth rather than general skin regeneration. It’s often combined with GHK-Cu, minoxidil, finasteride, and dermarolling in comprehensive hair-loss protocols.
Not FDA approved. Not WADA prohibited. Available as injectable powder, topical serum, or scalp tonic.
Directly signals dermal papilla cells to enlarge follicles, converting miniaturized follicles back to terminal hair-producing follicles. This is the primary hair-regrowth mechanism.
Prolongs the growth (anagen) phase of the hair cycle, allowing hairs to grow longer before shedding. Net effect: more hairs in growth phase at any time = visibly fuller hair.
Like GHK-Cu, AHK-Cu shuttles copper into cells for lysyl oxidase (collagen crosslinking) and antioxidant defense, supporting the extracellular matrix around follicles.
Reduces scalp inflammation that contributes to androgenetic alopecia progression — complementary to finasteride’s DHT-blocking mechanism.
The entire published evidence base for AHK-Cu is one paper. A PubMed search for AHK-Cu returns a single indexed study: Pyo 2007 (PMID 17703734), from Seoul National University.
What it found: AHK-Cu at 10⁻¹² to 10⁻⁹ M stimulated elongation of human hair follicles ex vivo and proliferation of cultured dermal papilla cells in vitro. The Bcl-2/Bax ratio rose and cleaved caspase-3 and PARP fell, consistent with reduced apoptosis — though the reduction in apoptotic cells itself was not statistically significant. The authors "proposed that AHK-Cu promotes the growth of human hair follicles."
That is a reasonable mechanistic result and it is the whole of it. No human trial, no animal model, no comparison against GHK-Cu, no combination study. The table below is corrected against that reality; several rows previously described outcomes nobody has measured.
| Benefit | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Hair thickness | No human study. There is no trial measuring hair shaft diameter, or any other outcome, in people using AHK-Cu |
| Follicle density | No animal model either. We could not find an androgenetic-alopecia model study of AHK-Cu; the only published work is cell and isolated-follicle culture |
| Growth rate | Follicle elongation was measured ex vivo — isolated human follicles in a dish, not hair on a head (PMID 17703734) |
| Synergy with minoxidil | Untested. No study has combined AHK-Cu with minoxidil. "Different receptor targets" is an assumption, and AHK-Cu’s receptor is not actually characterised |
| Scalp health | Not measured. The one study looked at dermal papilla cell proliferation and apoptosis markers, not inflammation or scalp condition |
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Start Tracking FreeNot medical advice. These figures describe what is reported in the literature and what practitioners and communities do — not a recommendation, and for most compounds here no human dose-finding study exists. Talk to a qualified healthcare provider.
Injectable is uncommon for hair-only goals — topical is both simpler and more targeted. Injectable is used when combined with other systemic regenerative protocols.
Most effective protocol combines: AHK-Cu 0.05%+GHK-Cu 0.1% topical, minoxidil 5% topical, oral finasteride 1 mg (if appropriate), dermarolling 1–2×/week, and optionally SubQ TB-500 1–2×/week. Minoxidil and finasteride carry large randomised evidence bases of their own; AHK-Cu does not, and the combination has never been studied. Calling a multi-mechanism approach "the best predictor of regrowth" overstates what is known — the components with real evidence are doing the work that has actually been demonstrated.
Not medical advice. These figures describe what is reported in the literature and what practitioners and communities do — not a recommendation, and for most compounds here no human dose-finding study exists. Talk to a qualified healthcare provider.
For a DIY topical scalp solution from lyophilized powder:
Pre-mixed topical AHK-Cu solutions from reputable suppliers are easier and more reliable than DIY preparation — potency varies with pH and storage conditions.
50 mg vial + 2 mL BAC water = 25 mg/mL
| Dose | Volume | Syringe Units |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 mg | 0.02 mL | 2 units |
| 1 mg | 0.04 mL | 4 units |
Pre-filled with a typical AHK-Cu setup. Edit any field — the draw updates live.
Insulin syringe — 100 units = 1 mL
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Like GHK-Cu, AHK-Cu has an excellent safety profile — endogenous-adjacent chemistry with self-limiting copper binding.
AHK-Cu is sold for research use only. If you are sourcing it for research, we recommend Lyvn — every batch third-party tested with the full laboratory panel published on the product page.
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For research use only. Not for human consumption. 21+.
Build your protocol, log every dose, monitor your body's response, and get reminders so you never miss a dose.
Start Tracking FreeAHK-Cu is a synthetic tripeptide-copper complex (Alanine-Histidine-Lysine bound to copper). It is a sister peptide to GHK-Cu with a nearly identical size and chemistry, and is commonly described as more selective for hair follicles — though no published study compares the two, and AHK-Cu's receptor has not been characterised. Most users think of it as GHK-Cu for hair: similar safety and copper delivery, but tuned specifically for hair regrowth rather than general skin regeneration.
Both are copper tripeptides with nearly identical size and chemistry, and AHK-Cu is commonly positioned as more hair-selective while GHK-Cu is broader-spectrum — a distinction no published study has actually tested. They are often combined in comprehensive hair-loss protocols (commonly AHK-Cu 0.05% + GHK-Cu 0.1% topical) along with minoxidil, finasteride, and dermarolling.
AHK-Cu signals dermal papilla cells to enlarge follicles, converting miniaturized follicles back to terminal hair-producing follicles, and prolongs the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle so more hairs are in growth phase at any given time. Reported benefits include measurable increase in hair shaft diameter over 12 weeks of topical use, preclinical data showing increased follicle count in androgenetic alopecia models, and faster hair growth with continued application. Effects are typically visible at 3 to 6 months of continuous use.
Topical is the most common route: a 0.05 to 0.1% concentration in a scalp solution or serum applied 1 to 2 times daily to affected areas, often combined with dermarolling 1 to 2 times per week to enhance absorption. Effects are visible at 3 to 6 months of continuous use. Injectable (SubQ) dosing is 0.5 to 1 mg, 3 to 5 times per week, but injectable is uncommon for hair-only goals because topical is simpler and more targeted.
For a 0.05% solution, reconstitute a 50 mg vial with 100 mL of a vehicle (distilled water plus a small percentage of propylene glycol or ethanol for penetration), transfer to a dropper or pump bottle, and refrigerate between uses. Apply 1 mL (roughly 1 pump) to the scalp and work it through the hair without rinsing. Pre-mixed topical solutions from reputable suppliers are easier and more reliable than DIY, because potency varies with pH and storage conditions.
AHK-Cu has an excellent safety profile (endogenous-adjacent chemistry with self-limiting copper binding). Common mild topical effects include scalp tingling or warmth on application, a transient blue tint that fades quickly, and mild dryness if combined with an alcohol-based vehicle. Less common effects include injection site reactions and an initial shed at 4 to 8 weeks (the same dreaded shed as minoxidil, which indicates cycle reset). Do not use with Wilson's disease or active hepatic copper overload, and use caution with pregnancy, breastfeeding, or copper sensitivity.
Nobody knows — no study has combined them, and AHK-Cu has only one published paper, an ex vivo and in vitro one (PMID 17703734). The most effective community protocol combines AHK-Cu 0.05% + GHK-Cu 0.1% topical, minoxidil 5% topical, oral finasteride 1 mg (if appropriate), dermarolling 1 to 2 times per week, and optionally SubQ TB-500 1 to 2 times per week. Bear in mind that minoxidil and finasteride are the components with large randomised evidence behind them; AHK-Cu's contribution to such a stack is untested.
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The compounds discussed are not FDA approved for human use. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new supplement or peptide protocol. StackTrax does not sell peptides or supplements directly — purchase links go to third-party vendors. StackTrax is not responsible for the products, quality, or business practices of any third-party vendor.
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StackTrax guides cover peptides and compounds that are not FDA-approved for the uses discussed. The dosing, reconstitution, and safety information is compiled from published research and community protocols for educational purposes only.
Before using any compound mentioned here, consult a qualified healthcare provider. StackTrax does not sell, prescribe, or recommend these substances for personal use.