AHK-Cu

What AHK-Cu does

AHK-Cu is a copper-bound peptide used in hair serums. One paper studied isolated follicles, while patents report small human tests of cosmetic formulas. No peer-reviewed scalp trial establishes AHK-Cu alone or a working dose. Skin reactions, product quality and long-term safety remain concerns.

• In a small patent study, people had fuller eyelashes with a 0.2% formula. (Studied in a trial)
• In a small uncontrolled patent study, a scalp mixture with it reduced flaking and oiliness. (Studied in a trial)
• In lab and mouse studies, it showed signs of hair growth, which has not been confirmed on human scalps. (animal)
• A few users report small new hairs, though they were also using minoxidil or other scalp drugs. (Reported by users)

Uses in the sources

• Reported use for scalp hair growth; benefit remains unproven. (Reported by users) (source)
• Patent experiments tested eyelash appearance and a scalp mixture containing AHK-Cu. (Studied in a trial) (source)

AHK-Cu dosage

Typical reported dose: About 0.3 mL of a 1% serum on the scalp once a day

• Patent scalp mixture, 0.1%: AHK-Cu 1 mg/mL in the full Example 1 mixture; scalp volume unstated. once each evening, on the skin. Studied in a trial. Studied in: Participants in the cited patent experiment. (source)
• Patent eyelash formula, 0.2%: 0.20% AHK-Cu by weight; thin line of formula on one upper eyelid. nightly, on the skin. Studied in a trial. Studied in: Participants in the cited patent experiment. (source)
• Reported 1% scalp serum: 1% serum; one user reports about 0.3 mL/day. Nominally 3 mg/day if 1% means 10 mg/mL. once daily, on the skin. Reported by users, occasional report. Studied in: Adults reporting self-use. (source)
• Reported nightly dropper: 300 mg in a 30 mL serum bottle; 1–1.5 droppers nightly. Dropper volume unstated. nightly, on the skin. Reported by users, occasional report. Studied in: Adults reporting self-use. (source)
• Reported 50 mg scalp batch: 50 mg in 30 mL bacteriostatic water plus 0.5 g sodium hyaluronate; 1 mL daily. Author reports 1.66 mg/day. once daily, on the skin. Reported by users, rare report. Studied in: Adults reporting self-use. (source)
• Reported daily injections: One report started 2–3 mg/day, then used AHK-Cu 2 mg plus GHK-Cu 2 mg daily. daily, under the skin. Reported by users, rare report. Studied in: Adults reporting self-use. (source)

Highest studied: Highest identified human scalp concentration: 1 mg/mL in a patent mixture. Daily mg dose unstated..

These are doses reported in labels, trials or user reports, not a personal plan. Check the source behind each one.

Work out syringe units with the dosing calculator

How to mix AHK-Cu

Comes as: Finished topical serum, Cosmetic powder, Powder vials used in community mixing.

Mixed with: Reports use hyaluronic-acid serum, water or bacteriostatic water. No approved diluent exists..

Common vial sizes: 50, 100, 1000 mg. Common water amounts: 1, 3, 30 mL.

• Reported pack sizes and batch volumes are not interchangeable reconstitution instructions.
• A 1% claim needs a defined final volume and concentration basis. Adding water can dilute preservatives.
• Cosmetic powder and serum are not sterile injectable products.
• No validated beyond-use date or standard on/off cycle was found.

Before mixing: No validated AHK-Cu storage temperature or shelf life located. Use product-specific stability instructions.

After mixing: Refrigeration is reported in DIY discussions; it does not establish stability or prevent contamination.

AHK-Cu side effects and risks

Reported side effects

• Local redness or irritation: Patent mixture patch test: 1/33 reacted versus 0/33 with water; not an AHK Cu specific rate., mild. Stop if redness or stinging persists. (source)
• Itchy rash or allergy to the formula: No AHK Cu specific rate; cosmetic ingredients can cause allergy., moderate. Stop and seek assessment for a spreading or persistent rash. (source)
• Hair tint change: One forum commenter reported a tint change without thicker or new hair., mild. Record the change and stop if unwanted. (source)

Stop and get help if

• Trouble breathing, throat swelling, fainting or chest pain after application: Stop and call emergency services now.
• Spreading scalp redness, pus, fever or severe pain after needling: Stop and seek urgent assessment for possible infection.
• Severe eye pain or a new vision change after eye-area exposure: Stop and get urgent eye care.

Who should avoid it

• pregnant: No pregnancy safety data located. Precautionary block, not a proven fetal harm.
• breastfeeding: Milk transfer and infant safety are unknown. Precautionary block.
• tryingToConceive: Reproductive safety has not been studied. Precautionary block.
• under18: No pediatric safety evidence located. Precautionary adult-only screen.
• activeCancer: Cell-growth effects raise a theoretical concern; cancer safety is unknown. Precautionary block.
• other: Copper handling is impaired. Topical AHK-Cu absorption is unknown; review with the treating specialist.
• other: Avoid the ingredient that caused the reaction, including fragrances or preservatives.
• other: Cosmetic serum safety on an open skin barrier is unproven. Needling adds infection and irritation risks.
• testedAthlete: S0 may apply to unapproved pharmacological use. Obtain an anti-doping ruling before use.

Interactions

• Other copper peptides or copper products: Combined exposure is untested; mixing also changes the formula.
• Copper-removing medicines: Theoretical conflict with copper-overload care. No topical AHK-Cu interaction study exists.
• Minoxidil and other scalp medicines: Co-use is reported; no controlled AHK-Cu combination trial establishes benefit or compatibility.
• Blood thinners when combined with microneedling: Needling adds bleeding risk; FDA flags blood thinners. This is a procedure risk, not a proven topical AHK-Cu interaction.

Product quality risks

• No independent survey testing online AHK-Cu products was located. Mislabeling and contamination rates are unknown.
• AHK-Cu and GHK-Cu differ; a generic copper-peptide claim does not establish identity.
• Water, raw materials and weak preservation can contaminate a serum. A purity percentage does not establish microbial safety.

What to expect

Five patent-only human reports, four involving mixtures, are separate from peer-reviewed direct-administration trials. Ex-vivo follicles do not establish treatment efficacy in people.

Key studies

• Isolated follicles and cells: Laboratory growth signals do not establish scalp regrowth. (source)
• Patent eyelash test: A patent reports fuller lashes with a 0.2% formula. (source)
• Patent scalp mixture test: The mixture produced a very small hair-count change; visual scores did not differ. (source)
• Patent two-week scalp test: An uncontrolled mixture test reports less scalp flaking and oil. (source)
• Patent one-year photographs: Photographs in a patent cannot establish a treatment effect. (source)
• Patent skin patch test: One participant reacted to the mixed formula. (source)

AHK-Cu FAQ

• Is AHK-Cu FDA-approved? No FDA-approved AHK-Cu product or label found. Cosmetic sale does not authorize hair-regrowth drug claims.
• How do people take it? On the skin, once daily. Source: reported by users, not an established dose.
• What's the difference between AHK-Cu and GHK-Cu? AHK-Cu: a copper peptide used in scalp serums, with laboratory findings and weak patent-only human data. GHK-Cu: a copper-binding skin peptide with small topical studies and untested systemic injections. Why people pair them: reported alongside AHK-Cu for hair and skin goals.
• Can I take it with GHK-Cu? Reported alongside AHK-Cu for hair and skin goals. No controlled human trial of this pair; combined exposure is unknown. Source: reported by users. Ask a doctor before combining anything.
• Is it banned in sport? It is unclear (WADA 2026). AHK-Cu is not named. S0 prohibits unapproved pharmacological substances at all times; applying it here requires an individual ruling.
• How long does a mixed vial last? Refrigeration is reported in DIY discussions; it does not establish stability or prevent contamination.