AHK-Cu

Lyophilized powder

AHK-Cu is a copper-binding tripeptide (alanine-histidine-lysine with copper), a close relative of GHK-Cu studied mainly in topical hair-follicle research. Below: today's vial sizes, prices through our link and the vendor's COA details.

Size

$0.54/mg · In stock

Price

$53.99

List

$59.99

Buy 100 mg at Mile High Compounds

Price shown uses code thepeptidecatalog at Mile High Compounds's checkout (10% off list).

Sold by Mile High Compounds. The Peptide Catalog does not sell peptides; we earn a commission if you buy through this link, at no extra cost to you. For laboratory research use only, not for human or veterinary use. Not FDA-approved. Nothing on this page is medical or dosing advice.

AHK-Cu research vial
AHK-CuMile High Compounds
Third-party testedResearch use only
Certificate of AnalysisVendor-stated: Third-party tested · 7-point panel · COA per productView
  • Vendor-stated testing: Third-party tested · 7-point panel · COA per product
  • Listed on our ahk-cu vendor comparison, ordered by our vendor rankings
  • Lyophilized powder · laboratory research use only
Research-context information only. AHK-Cu is a research peptide. Protocols, doses, and reactions reported below come from published research and self-reported community sources. This article reports what has been documented, not what should be done. Consult a licensed physician for personal medical decisions.

Vial sizes listed by the vendor

AHK-Cu Vial Sizes & Prices

AHK-Cu vial sizes, prices and lots at Mile High Compounds
SizeListWith our codePer mgAvailability
100 mg$59.99$53.99$0.54In stock

Prices checked today, 5:18 AM CT on Mile High Compounds's site, with code thepeptidecatalog applied. Vendor-stated testing: Third-party tested · 7-point panel · COA per product. The lot certificate is on Mile High Compounds's product page. Sizes not re-checked in the last 7 days are hidden. The vendor's checkout is final.

Test results

AHK-Cu Certificate of Analysis

Mile High Compounds posts the certificate on each product page (vendor-stated: Third-party tested · 7-point panel · COA per product). Match the lot number on the vial to its certificate.

View the AHK-Cu certificate on Mile High Compounds's product page.

How to check one: how to verify a peptide COA.

AHK-Cu Dosing in Clinical Research

Hair Growth / Copper Peptide (Topical; Preclinical Evidence)

Educational reference only. Individual responses vary. Consult healthcare provider before use.

Vial Size
50 mg vial or raw powder (1 g)
Reconstitution
Reconstituted into a topical serum (bacteriostatic/sterile water or cosmetic base), not injected
Dose
Topical concentrations only — community recipes, not a validated protocol
Timing
Applied to the scalp/skin, often daily
Frequency
Topical daily use; sometimes paired with microneedling
Duration
Hair-cycle compounds need months; no validated AHK-Cu protocol
Protocol Notes
Copper-binding tripeptide (Ala-His-Lys-Cu), the lesser-studied sibling of GHK-Cu. Used TOPICALLY for hair growth — reconstituted into a serum and applied to the scalp, sometimes with microneedling, not injected. Evidence is largely in-vitro and cosmetic-formulation work (dermal-papilla stimulation, VEGF, anagen prolongation); AHK-Cu-specific human RCT data is thin and much is borrowed by analogy from GHK-Cu. Sold for research purposes only.

Why This Dosing Protocol

How is it used? AHK-Cu is reconstituted into a topical serum and applied to the scalp, sometimes with microneedling — not injected. Concentrations come from community recipes, not trials.

Why pair it with GHK-Cu?The two copper peptides are frequently combined or compared; GHK-Cu carries the deeper evidence base AHK-Cu's claims lean on.
Full Dosing GuideReconstitution Calculator

How AHK-Cu Works

Copper-Binding Tripeptide — Hair / Skin (Topical; Preclinical Evidence, GHK-Cu Sibling)

Target → Signal → Effect → Outcomes

1
Target

Copper Delivery to Dermal Papilla Cells

AHK-Cu is alanine-histidine-lysine complexed with copper(II). Like its better-known sibling GHK-Cu, its proposed action is delivering bioavailable copper to skin and hair-follicle cells — particularly the dermal papilla cells that regulate the hair-growth cycle.

2
Cellular Signal

VEGF and Anagen-Phase Prolongation (Preclinical)

In cell and animal models, AHK-Cu is reported to upregulate VEGF (follicle angiogenesis) and prolong the anagen (active growth) phase of the hair cycle, increasing follicle size. These are preclinical signals, not human outcomes.

3
Systemic Effect

Local, Topical — Not Systemic

AHK-Cu is used topically on the scalp/skin, so its effects are local rather than systemic. There is no meaningful human pharmacokinetic or systemic-effect data — the molecule is applied where the follicles are, often with microneedling.

4
What You Notice

Slow, Hair-Cycle-Paced — If Anything

Any hair change would be slow (months, a full cycle), as with all hair-growth interventions. AHK-Cu's own human evidence is thin, so "no visible change" is fully consistent with the data. Expectations are largely borrowed from GHK-Cu and conventional hair therapies.

What Makes This Peptide Different

AHK-Cu is the hair-focused copper peptide — the lesser-studied cousin of GHK-Cu. Its distinguishing claim is dermal-papilla stimulation, but the evidence base is mostly in-vitro and cosmetic-formulation work, much of it formulator-funded. It is a topical research compound, not a validated hair-loss treatment.

Technical specifications

AHK-Cu chemical & analytical data

Form
Lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder in a sealed vial
Presentation
100 mg
Regulatory status
Research peptide; research-grade vials are not FDA-approved.

AHK-Cu Reconstitution Calculator

Dilution math and unit conversions. Prefilled using a common vial size for this peptide.

Open calculator

Storage & Handling

Storage at a glance

Proper storage temperatures, shelf life, reconstitution best practices, and travel tips for lyophilized and reconstituted peptides.

Powder: Freezer
1+ year at -20°C
Reconstituted: Fridge
4 weeks max at 2-8°C
View Complete Storage Guide

Handling specifics

Educational overview on storage, labeling, and traceability considerations for lab environments. Consult primary literature and vendor documentation for specifics.

Powder storage (very stable)
  • Freezer (-20°C): 1+ year
  • Refrigerator (2-8°C): 1-3 months
  • Room temperature: 2-3 weeks (emergency only)
Reconstituted storage (fragile)
  • MUST refrigerate at 2-8°C
  • 4-week maximum shelf life
  • NEVER freeze after reconstitution
  • Use bacteriostatic water for multi-dose

7 answers

AHK-Cu FAQ: Buying, COA, Storage & Research

What is AHK-Cu?
AHK-Cu is a copper-binding tripeptide — alanine-histidine-lysine complexed with copper(II) — and the lesser-studied sibling of GHK-Cu. Research interest centers on hair growth: in cell and animal models it is reported to stimulate dermal papilla cells and prolong the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle. It is used topically.
AHK-Cu vs GHK-Cu — what's the difference?
Both are copper-delivery tripeptides. GHK-Cu is the far better-studied molecule, with a broad skin-repair and anti-aging literature; AHK-Cu is marketed more specifically for hair, but its own evidence base is much thinner and many claims are extrapolated from GHK-Cu by analogy.
How is AHK-Cu used?
Topically. Research powder is reconstituted into a serum and applied to the scalp or skin, sometimes alongside microneedling. It is not used as an injectable peptide in community practice. There is no validated dosing protocol — topical concentrations come from community recipes, not trials.
Does AHK-Cu actually regrow hair?
The honest answer is that the evidence is preliminary. Most data is in-vitro or cosmetic-formulation work rather than controlled human trials, and some of it is funded by formulators. AHK-Cu is best described as a research copper peptide with promising preclinical hair signals — not a validated hair-loss treatment.
How long does reconstituted peptide last?
Once mixed with bacteriostatic water, peptides remain stable for up to 4 weeks when refrigerated at 2-8°C (36-46°F). Unopened powder can last 1+ year in the freezer. Get our complete Storage & Travel Guide.
Is this peptide legal to purchase?
Peptides sold "for research purposes only" are legal to purchase in the US, but are not FDA-approved for human use outside of specific medical applications. Always consult a healthcare provider before use.
New to peptides?
Take our Peptide Match tool to find the best peptide for your goals. You can also read our Complete Guide to Peptides to learn the basics.

AHK-Cu Research Articles

dosing

AHK-Cu Dosage Chart: Topical Serum Prep

AHK-Cu is used topically, not injected. Here's how community sources reconstitute the copper peptide into a scalp serum — and where the numbers come from.

side-effects

AHK-Cu Side Effects: What's Documented

Topical copper peptides are usually well tolerated — but irritation, contact allergy, and thin safety data are worth understanding before you mix a serum.

results

AHK-Cu Results Timeline: What to Expect

There's no clinical timeline for topical AHK-Cu — only hair-cycle biology and community reports. Here's an honest week-by-week of what's documented.

buying-guide

Buy AHK-Cu: Compare 2 Vendors, From $29

The 1000mg AHK-Cu vial has the lowest cost per mg — about 9x under the 50mg. 2 vendors scored on cost, COA, and cost per week.

Compare AHK-Cu Vendors Before You Buy

Disclosure: we may earn affiliate commission from qualifying purchases. Educational information only — not medical advice.