GHK-Cu (100 mg Vial) Dosage Protocol

Quickstart Highlights

GHK‑Cu is a naturally occurring copper‑binding tripeptide (Gly‑His‑Lys) studied for skin remodeling, wound repair, and anti‑inflammatory/antioxidant activity in preclinical and human topical studies.[1][2] This educational protocol models a practical dilution and once‑daily topical / microneedle‑assisted application schedule, reflecting the predominant routes studied in the literature (systemic subcutaneous dosing is not established in peer‑reviewed human research).[1][4]

  • Reconstitute: Add 3.0 mL sterile diluent → ~33.3 mg/mL concentration.
  • Typical daily range (topical/application model): 1–5 mg once daily (gradual titration; parenteral human dosing is not established).[9]
  • Easy measuring: At 33.3 mg/mL, on a U‑100 insulin syringe used as a measuring tool, 1 unit = 0.01 mL ≈ 333 mcg.
  • Storage: Lyophilized at −20 °C; after reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8 °C and avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles.[11][12]
GHK-Cu Vial

Dosing & Reconstitution Guide

Educational guide for reconstitution and daily application

Standard / Gradual Approach (3.0 mL = ~33.3 mg/mL)

Route & frequency: Topical or microneedle‑assisted transdermal, applied once daily, consistent with human cosmetic/dermatologic literature; localized/intra‑articular injection is mainly preclinical, and systemic subcutaneous schedules are not established in peer‑reviewed human studies.[1][4][5]

Week Daily Dose (mg) Units (per injection) (mL)
Weeks 1–2 1 mg 3 units (0.03 mL)
Weeks 3–4 2 mg 6 units (0.06 mL)
Weeks 5–6 3 mg 9 units (0.09 mL)
Weeks 7–8 4 mg 12 units (0.12 mL)
Weeks 9–12 5 mg 15 units (0.15 mL)

This schedule uses the largest practical dilution (3.0 mL) to keep volumes legible on common U‑100 insulin syringes used as measuring tools. Note: Parenteral (systemic) human dosing is not defined in peer‑reviewed literature; this table supports precise volumetric aliquoting for topical or microinjection workflows only.[1][9]

For ≤10‑unit (≤0.10 mL) administrations, consider 30‑ or 50‑unit insulin syringes for improved readability.

Reconstitution Steps

  1. Draw 3.0 mL sterile bacteriostatic water or buffered diluent.
  2. Inject slowly down the vial wall; avoid foaming; gently swirl to dissolve.
  3. Label concentration and date; store refrigerated at 2–8 °C and protect from light.[11][12]

Important: This content is intended for therapeutic educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Supplies Needed

Plan based on an 8–16 week once‑daily protocol with gradual titration.

  • Peptide Vials (GHK‑Cu, 100 mg each):

    • 8 weeks total (~140 mg): 2 vials
    • 12 weeks total (~280 mg): 3 vials
    • 16 weeks total (~420 mg): 5 vials
  • Insulin Syringes (U‑100):

    • Per week: 7 (1×/day)
    • 8 weeks: 56
    • 12 weeks: 84
    • 16 weeks: 112
  • Bacteriostatic Water (10 mL bottles): Use ~3.0 mL/vial

    • 2 vials: 6 mL → 1 × 10 mL
    • 3 vials: 9 mL → 1 × 10 mL
    • 5 vials: 15 mL → 2 × 10 mL
  • Alcohol Swabs: One for vial stopper + one for application site per day

    • Per week: 14
    • 8 weeks: 112
    • 12 weeks: 168
    • 16 weeks: 224
GHK-Cu Vial
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Protocol Overview

  • Goal: Support skin quality and tissue‑repair pathways noted in preclinical and human topical literature (collagen, ECM remodeling, antioxidant/anti‑inflammatory activity).[1][2]
  • Schedule: Once‑daily topical/application cycles of 8–12 weeks; optional extension to 16 weeks is commonly used in cosmetic studies.[1][5]
  • Reconstitution: 3.0 mL per 100 mg vial (~33.3 mg/mL) enables precise volumetric aliquots with U‑100 syringes.
  • Route: Topical or microneedle‑assisted transdermal preferred in the literature; systemic subcutaneous dosing lacks peer‑reviewed human standards.[4][9]

Dosing Protocol

Caution: No standardized human parenteral dosing has been established for GHK‑Cu; gene‑expression reviews explicitly note that minimum effective dosages in humans have not been determined.[9] The table above provides a conservative, once‑daily application model to help with consistent aliquoting.

  • Start: 1–2 mg daily; increase by ~1 mg every 1–2 weeks as needed.
  • Target: 4–5 mg daily by Weeks 9–12.
  • Timing: Any consistent time; for microneedle‑assisted delivery, follow device and asepsis guidance.[4]

Storage Instructions

  • Lyophilized: Store at −20 °C in dry/dark conditions; minimize moisture exposure.[11]
  • Reconstituted: Refrigerate at 2–8 °C; aliquot if needed and avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles.[11][12]
  • Allow vials to reach room temperature before opening to reduce condensation uptake.

Important Notes

  • Use sterile technique for reconstitution and when using microneedle devices; dispose of sharps appropriately.[10]
  • For microinjection or microneedle workflows, rotate application sites (e.g., facial zones, scalp areas) to minimize irritation.[4]
  • Document daily amount and site to maintain consistency across the cycle.

How This Works

GHK‑Cu binds Cu2+ and modulates gene programs that promote extracellular‑matrix renewal, angiogenesis, and antioxidant defenses while attenuating inflammatory signaling.[1][2][6][7][9] Human topical studies report improvements in skin density, elasticity, and appearance over multi‑week use, consistent with its ECM‑centric actions.[1][5]

Potential Benefits & Side Effects

  • Skin quality: Reports of increased dermal density/thickness and improved appearance after multi‑week topical use in randomized or controlled settings.[1][5]
  • Wound/healing biology: Preclinical work shows anti‑inflammatory and antioxidant effects and ECM support (e.g., IL‑6 modulation; protection in inflammatory injury models).[6][7]
  • Tolerability: Topical and microneedle‑assisted delivery are generally well tolerated in studies; irritation risk increases with device use—follow aseptic technique.[4][5]

Application & Technique

  • Clean the vial stopper and application area; allow to dry fully.
  • For microneedle‑assisted delivery, follow device guidance; studies show enhanced GHK‑Cu skin permeation with microneedling and favorable short‑term tolerability.[4]
  • If using needle‑based microinjections, inject small aliquots slowly and rotate sites; general pharmacologic considerations for subcutaneous delivery are reviewed elsewhere.[10]

Important Note

This content is intended for therapeutic educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

References


  • Regenerative & Protective Actions of the GHK‑Cu Peptide (Review)
    — Overview of GHK‑Cu skin/repair actions; human topical studies summarized.
    View Source

  • The Potential of GHK as an Anti‑Aging Peptide (Review)
    — Clinical/preclinical evidence for remodeling, wound healing, anti‑inflammatory effects.
    View Source

  • Human Skin Penetration of a Copper Tripeptide (In Vitro)
    — Permeation characteristics and factors affecting GHK‑Cu skin delivery.
    View Source

  • Microneedle‑Mediated Delivery of GHK‑Cu
    — Microneedles enhance GHK‑Cu skin permeation; tolerability noted.
    View Source

  • Topical Copper Tripeptide After CO2 Laser Resurfacing
    — Human study informing cosmetic/dermatologic use and expectations.
    View Source

  • Effect of GGH, GHK, and Copper Complexes on IL‑6
    — Fibroblast anti‑inflammatory signaling relevant to wound biology.
    View Source

  • GHK‑Cu Protects in LPS‑Induced Acute Lung Injury (Mouse)
    — Anti‑inflammatory/antioxidant effects in vivo.
    View Source

  • Intra‑articular GHK‑Cu in Rat ACL Reconstruction
    — Local injection model; dose context for preclinical joint repair.
    View Source

  • Effect of the Human Peptide GHK on Gene Expression (Review)
    — Notes that minimum effective human dosages are unknown; gene‑program effects summarized.
    View Source

  • Subcutaneous Drug Injection: Review
    — General pharmacologic/technique considerations for SC delivery (context for microinjection workflows).
    View Source

  • Sigma‑Aldrich: Peptide Handling & Storage
    — Practical guidance on storage, aliquoting, and avoiding freeze–thaw.
    View Source

  • Thermo Fisher Scientific: Standard Peptide Storage
    — Temperature, aliquoting, and stability considerations.
    View Source

  • Pure Lab Peptides — GHK‑Cu (100 mg) Product Page
    — Product details and quality documentation.
    View Source