Cosmetic Protocol
GHK-CuComplete Dosing & Administration Guide
A naturally occurring copper peptide that acts like a master switch for your body's repair systems—boosting collagen production, accelerating wound healing, and helping your skin rebuild itself from the inside out.
Dose Range
1-3mg
Frequency
Once daily
Route
Subcutaneous injection
Cycle Length
8-12 weeks
Dosing
How much
do I take?
Starting Dose
1 mg
Start low to see how your body responds. At this dose, you're giving your skin and tissues a gentle nudge toward repair mode. Many people notice subtle improvements in skin texture and healing speed even at this level.
Standard Dose
2 mg
The sweet spot for most users. This dose has the most research support and delivers noticeable improvements in skin quality, wound healing, and potentially hair thickness. Most people tolerate it well after starting at 1mg.
Advanced Dose
3 mg
The upper end of commonly used doses. Some experienced users push to this level for more aggressive anti-aging or wound healing goals. Monitor for any copper-related effects and consider periodic blood work to check copper levels.
Timing
Best time to take
Morning injections work well for GHK-Cu since it supports daytime repair processes. If using topically, apply at night so your skin can absorb it while you sleep and repair overnight.
With food?
GHK-Cu injections aren't affected by food timing, so inject whenever is convenient. If you're taking oral copper or zinc supplements, space them at least 2 hours from each other.
If stacking
GHK-Cu pairs beautifully with BPC-157 for a comprehensive healing stack. If injecting multiple peptides, use different injection sites and space them 15-30 minutes apart. For an anti-aging combo, pair with Epithalon—they work through completely different mechanisms.
Adjusting Your Dose
Increase if
- +You've tolerated the starting dose for 2+ weeks with no issues
- +You're recovering from a significant wound or surgery and want faster healing
- +Your skin improvements have plateaued at the current dose
- +You're using it specifically for scar remodeling and want more aggressive results
Decrease if
- -You notice persistent headaches or nausea
- -Injection site reactions don't clear up within 48 hours
- -You experience unusual metallic taste (possible sign of excess copper)
- -Any unexpected skin reactions occur away from the injection site
Signs of right dose
- ✓Skin feels smoother and more hydrated within 2-3 weeks
- ✓Wounds and minor cuts heal noticeably faster
- ✓Fine lines appear softer and less pronounced
- ✓Hair feels thicker or you notice less shedding
Dosing Calculator
Calculate Your Exact Dose
Step 1: Peptide Weight
Find the weight printed on your peptide vial label
Look here!
The peptide weight is printed on the label
Look here!
The weight is on the label
Administration
How do I
use it?
Reconstitution
What you need
- •Bacteriostatic water (BAC water)—the preservative keeps it safe for multiple uses
- •Insulin syringes (29-31 gauge)—thin needles for minimal discomfort
- •Alcohol swabs for cleaning vial tops and injection sites
- •Your GHK-Cu powder vial (may have a slight blue tint from the copper)
Injection
Route
Subcutaneous injection (just under the skin)—the most common method. Can also be applied topically for localized skin benefits.
Best sites
- •Belly fat area (about 2 inches from the navel)—most popular site
- •Front or outer thigh (middle third)
- •Near the target area if treating a specific wound or scar (inject nearby, not directly into it)
- •Back of upper arm
Technique
- 1.Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water
- 2.Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab and let it air dry
- 3.Pinch about an inch of skin to create a fold
- 4.Insert the needle at a 45-90 degree angle (45 if lean, 90 if more tissue)
- 5.Push the plunger slowly and steadily—rushing can cause more discomfort
- 6.Wait 5 seconds before withdrawing the needle
- 7.Apply gentle pressure with a clean cotton ball if needed—don't rub
Storage
Signs of degradation
Sample Daily Schedule
Safety
Is it
safe?
Safety Profile
GHK-Cu has an excellent safety profile backed by decades of research since its discovery in the 1970s. It's a naturally occurring peptide found in your blood, saliva, and urine—your body already knows it well. Concentrations naturally decline with age (from about 200 ng/mL at age 20 to 80 ng/mL by age 60), which is part of why supplementation makes sense. Most side effects are mild and injection-related. The copper component is well-tolerated at recommended doses but should be monitored in long-term use.
GHK-Cu has extensive preclinical research (cell studies and animal models) with strong, consistent results. Human clinical data exists primarily from topical formulations in cosmetic studies. Injectable use has a growing body of anecdotal evidence and practitioner experience, though large-scale human trials for injectable forms are still limited.
Common Side Effects
Experienced by some users
Injection site redness
A small pink or red area where you injected is completely normal. The copper in GHK-Cu can sometimes cause slightly more reaction than other peptides.
Management: Rotate injection sites daily. A cool compress helps. Usually fades within 24-48 hours. If it persists beyond 48 hours, you may be reacting to the concentration.
Skin tingling (topical use)
When applied to the skin, GHK-Cu can cause a mild tingling or warming sensation. This usually means the peptide is actively being absorbed.
Management: This is generally a good sign that it's working. If tingling becomes uncomfortable burning, rinse the area and reduce concentration next time.
Minor bruising
Small bruises at injection sites happen occasionally, especially if you nick a tiny blood vessel. GHK-Cu promotes blood vessel growth, which may make this slightly more common.
Management: Apply pressure for 30 seconds after withdrawing the needle. Avoid injecting the same spot repeatedly. Bruises typically clear in 3-5 days.
Mild swelling at injection site
A small bump or slight puffiness where you injected is normal—it's just the fluid sitting under the skin before absorption.
Management: Gentle massage of the area can help distribute the solution. Usually resolves within a few hours.
Less Common
- •Mild headache
- •Temporary skin purging (topical)
These typically resolve with continued use or dose adjustment.
Stop and Seek Help If
- ×Any signs of allergic reaction—stop immediately and get medical help
- ×Persistent metallic taste that doesn't go away (possible copper excess)
- ×Injection site reactions that spread, worsen, or show signs of infection
- ×Nausea or stomach upset that persists beyond the first few days
- ×Unusual skin discoloration away from injection sites
- ×Your treatment goals have been achieved and you're in maintenance mode
GHK-Cu is a research compound, not an FDA-approved medication. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or adjusting any peptide protocol. This information is for educational purposes only—not medical advice.
Interactions
With other peptides
- ✓Excellent combo for healing. BPC-157 heals from the gut outward while GHK-Cu rebuilds tissue structure. They work through different pathways and complement each other beautifully.
- ✓Great anti-aging stack. Epithalon works on cellular longevity (telomeres) while GHK-Cu handles tissue repair and skin quality. Different mechanisms, complementary benefits.
- ✓Both promote wound healing and tissue repair. Can be used together for accelerated recovery from injuries. Inject at different sites.
- ✓Both affect skin, but through different mechanisms. Generally safe to combine, but monitor skin closely for any unexpected changes.
With medications
- ✓Blood thinners (warfarin, aspirin) - May increase bruising at injection sites. Not dangerous but worth noting. Continue your medications as prescribed.
- !Copper chelators (penicillamine, trientine) - These medications remove copper from your body—they would directly counteract GHK-Cu. Do not combine.
- !Chemotherapy drugs - GHK-Cu promotes cell growth and blood vessel formation, which could theoretically interfere with cancer treatment. Do not use during active cancer treatment.
- ✓NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) - Generally safe to use together. NSAIDs may slightly reduce the inflammatory component of healing, but this is usually not clinically significant.
With supplements
- ✓Vitamin C - Excellent pairing! Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis, and GHK-Cu stimulates collagen production. Together they give your body both the signal and the raw materials to build collagen.
- ✓Zinc - Zinc and copper compete for absorption. If taking zinc supplements, space them at least 2 hours from GHK-Cu and don't take mega-doses of zinc.
- ✓Copper supplements - Be careful—GHK-Cu already provides copper. Adding extra copper supplements could push you toward excess. Monitor total copper intake.
- ✓Collagen peptides (oral) - Safe and complementary. Oral collagen provides building blocks while GHK-Cu signals your body to use them. A logical combination.
Want the Full Picture?
View the complete GHK-Cu research profile including mechanism of action, clinical studies, effectiveness timeline, and FAQ.
View Full GHK-Cu Profile