Cosmetic Peptide

AHK-Cu

Copper tripeptide-3 · Ala-His-Lys-Cu · AHK copper peptide

Copper-complexed tripeptide Ala-His-Lys, the GHK-Cu sibling used in hair and cosmetic SKUs. Same copper-peptide class, different sequence. Evidence is mostly in vitro / cosmetic, not a drug program. Reconstitution is the same job as GHK-Cu (often stings).

Not FDA-approved — research chemical

Reviewed by CalcMyPeptide Editorial Team

·Last updated: April 2026·Evidence: Low·1 peer-reviewed citation

Typical research dose

1-2 mg/day (injectable research) or topical 0.5–2%

Frequency

1× daily or 2–3× weekly (injectable); 1–2× daily topical

Half-life

Sparse published PK

Common vials

10 mg / 50 mg

CAS

N/A

Molecular weight

Tripeptide–copper complex

Dose it

10 mg + 2 mL BAC water → 5 mg/mL · 1000 mcg ≈ 20 units (U-100)

Open in calculator

Mechanism of Action

AHK-Cu is Ala-His-Lys complexed with copper(II) — copper tripeptide-3 — vs GHK-Cu (Gly-His-Lys-Cu). Cosmetic and hair in-vitro literature exists; there is no drug approval. Injectable reconstitution is the same job as GHK-Cu and often stings.

Source: Copper-tripeptide cosmetic literature adjacent to GHK-Cu PMID: 18492131; AHK-Cu has no FDA monograph

Dosing Protocol

Typical Dose	1-2 mg/day (injectable research) or topical 0.5–2%
Frequency	1× daily or 2–3× weekly (injectable); 1–2× daily topical
Half-Life	~1–2 hours (estimated; topical/injectable cosmetic PK sparse)
Common Vial Sizes	10 mg, 50 mg

Dosing Protocols

Injectable research

Dose

1–2 mg

Frequency

Daily or 2–3× weekly

Note: Community range. Dilute if PIP is severe (same as GHK-Cu).

Topical

Dose

0.5–2% leave-on

Frequency

1–2× daily

Note: Cosmetic use. Not a reconstitution-calculator problem.

Body-Weight Dosing Reference

Estimated doses extrapolated from the published research range of 1000–2000 mcg/day (referenced to 70 kg / 154 lb). These are approximations — consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised guidance.

Weight	Low Dose	Target Dose	High Dose
120 lb(54 kg)	771 mcg	1157 mcg	1543 mcg
140 lb(63 kg)	900 mcg	1350 mcg	1800 mcg
160 lb(73 kg)	1043 mcg	1564 mcg	2086 mcg
180 lb(82 kg)	1171 mcg	1757 mcg	2343 mcg
200 lb(91 kg)	1300 mcg	1950 mcg	2600 mcg
220 lb(100 kg)	1429 mcg	2143 mcg	2857 mcg
250 lb(113 kg)	1614 mcg	2421 mcg	3229 mcg

💉 For exact syringe units based on your vial concentration, use the AHK-Cu Reconstitution Calculator →

Administration

Route

Topical or subcutaneous

Timing

Topical on clean skin; injectable site rotation.

Fasting Required?

No — food timing not critical

Expected Timeline

Weeks–months

Cosmetic endpoints if any; not a labeled hair-loss drug.

Who Is It For?

Hair / cosmetic copper peptide

Low

Sibling of GHK-Cu. Evidence is cosmetic-grade, not Phase 3.

Reconstitution Example

Vial

10 mg

Diluent

2 mL

Concentration

5 mg/mL

Per Unit (100u syringe)

50 mcg

Dose of 1000 mcg = 20 units on a 100-unit insulin syringe

🧮 Calculate Your Exact AHK-Cu Dose →

Safety & Considerations

Copper load on long injectable cycles — zinc balance is the usual GHK-Cu warning. PIP common. Not minoxidil, not finasteride.

Regulatory & Legal Status

FDA Status (US)

Research Only

Cosmetic / research copper tripeptide. No FDA drug monograph

WADA Status (2026)

Not Listed

Not currently on the WADA 2026 Prohibited List. Policies may change — verify before competition.

Classification

Research Chemical

US Compounding: Not eligible / not available

⚠️ This information is for educational purposes only and may not reflect the most current regulatory updates. Always verify with official FDA, WADA, and jurisdiction-specific sources before use.

AHK-Cu vs. GHK-Cu

Attribute	AHK-Cu	GHK-Cu
Sequence	Ala-His-Lys-Cu (copper tripeptide-3)	Gly-His-Lys-Cu (copper tripeptide-1)
Typical SKU	Hair / cosmetic	Skin / wound / GLOW component
Literature	Thinner than GHK-Cu	More published dermal copper-peptide work
Recon	Same copper-peptide sting risk	Known PIP; often extra water

Verdict: Siblings, not substitutes. GHK-Cu has the deeper paper trail. AHK-Cu is the hair-catalog cousin.

Dosing Quick Reference

AHK-Cu— Dosing Guide

Dose Range

1-2 mg/day (injectable research) or topical 0.5–2%

Half-Life

~1–2 hours (estimated; topical/injectable cosmetic PK sparse)

Frequency

1× daily or 2–3× weekly (injectable); 1–2× daily topical

Route

Subcutaneous

10 mg vial50 mg vial

💧 2 mL BAC water|📐 5 mg/mL|💉 50 mcg/unit (100u syringe)

Cosmetic Peptidecalcmypeptide.com

Frequently Asked Questions

AHK-Cu vs GHK-Cu?▼

Different tripeptide, same copper-peptide class. GHK-Cu has more published dermal literature. AHK-Cu is the hair-SKU sibling.

References

Pickart / adjacent “GHK-Cu dermal/copper-peptide context.” Various (2008). PMID: 18492131

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