What does AHK-Cu do? Benefits and evidence
A copper peptide used in scalp serums, with laboratory findings and weak patent-only human data.
Also called: Ala-His-Lys copper complex, L-alanyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper(II), Copper tripeptide-3.
Healing and repair peptides · Copper-bound tripeptide.
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
Related to AHK-Cu
- BPC-157: An experimental repair peptide with mostly animal evidence and a few small human reports.
- TB-500: A short piece of thymosin beta-4 with no proven repair benefit in humans.
- GHK-Cu: A copper-binding skin peptide with small topical studies and untested systemic injections.
- Thymosin beta-4: A peptide studied for eye conditions and skin wounds; tendon-repair injections lack controlled human evidence.
- ARA-290: Experimental peptide studied for small-fiber nerve damage, with uncertain pain relief and safety.
- Ac-SDKP: An experimental repair peptide with old human studies, but no proven healing dose.
Sources
- 21 CFR 216.23 — Bulk drug substances that can be used to compound drug products in accordance with section 503A of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act., Office of the Federal Register · eCFR · 2026
- 503B Bulk Drug Substances List, FDA · FDA · 2026
- Bulk Drug Substances Nominated for Use in Compounding Under Section 503A of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, FDA · FDA · 2026
- Medicines, European Medicines Agency · European Medicines Agency · 2026
- MHRA Products | Home, MHRA · MHRA · 2026
- The 2026 Prohibited List, World Anti-Doping Agency · WADA · 2026
- Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard—October 2026) Instrument 2026, Australian Government · 2026
- Bulk Drug Substances Nominated for Use in Compounding Under Section 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, FDA · FDA · 2025
- Allergens in Cosmetics, U.S. Food and Drug Administration · FDA
- Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), Therapeutic Goods Administration · TGA
- Drug Product Database: Access the database, Health Canada · Health Canada
- Drugs@FDA: FDA-Approved Drugs, FDA · FDA
- Eye Cosmetic Safety, US Government
- FYs 2013-2017 Regulatory Science Report: Complex Mixtures and Peptides, FDA · FDA
- Is It a Cosmetic, a Drug, or Both? (Or Is It Soap?), FDA
Sources checked: 2026-10-18.
Information only, not medical advice. Peptifacts does not sell anything and does not link to sellers.