Updated August 2026
AHK-Cu Dosage: Topical Research, Follicle Evidence, and Protocol
Research note: Direct AHK-Cu evidence is one peer-reviewed ex-vivo human-follicle experiment plus patent animal work. No living human has received a validated AHK-Cu dose in controlled research. AHK-Cu ≠ GHK-Cu. The protocol below is a proposed topical investigator-run study — not a personal injection or microneedling plan.
No established human dose. The direct peer-reviewed exposure was a culture concentration: 10⁻¹²–10⁻⁹ M stimulated follicle elongation and dermal papilla MTT signal; 10⁻⁸ and 10⁻⁷ M inhibited elongation.
A 1996 patent reported 0.1% and 0.5% w/w topical AHK:Cu in mice and local intradermal doses — preclinical, not human dosage. Finished products commonly use ~0.05%–1%; DIY often 1–2 mg/mL. Online SC claims (50 µg–2 mg) have no human AHK-Cu study.
The 2016 ALAVAX trial used GHK + 5-ALA, not AHK-Cu. A defensible first human program is topical and staged (0.01%, 0.05%, 0.10% w/v at 1 mL/day × 24 weeks) after formulation, penetration, and tox gates.
AHK-Cu dosage in 30 seconds
| Question | Research summary |
|---|---|
| Identity | Ala-His-Lys · Copper Tripeptide-3 · ≈415.93 g/mol (1:1 complex) |
| ≠ | GHK-Cu (Copper Tripeptide-1) · ALAVAX GHK trial |
| Human participants on AHK-Cu | None in controlled research located |
| Stimulatory lab range | 10⁻¹²–10⁻⁹ M (ex-vivo / in-vitro) |
| Patent mouse topical | 0.1% and 0.5% w/w |
| Common commercial topical | ~0.05%–1% (unvalidated) |
| Validated injection dose | None located |
| Proposed first human study | 0.01% · 0.05% · 0.10% w/v topical × 24 wk |
What is AHK-Cu?
AHK-Cu is L-alanyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine (Ala-His-Lys, AHK) complexed with copper(II). INCI: Copper Tripeptide-3. It is not GHK-Cu (Copper Tripeptide-1) — alanine replaces glycine at the N-terminus.
Commonly catalogued 1:1 complex: C15H24CuN6O4, MW ~415.93 g/mol, copper ~15.28% of complex mass. Stoichiometry, counterion, hydration, and assay basis differ by supplier — a label milligram is incomplete without five qualifiers.
Identity gate
Confirm Ala-His-Lys · Copper Tripeptide-3 — not GHK-Cu, ALAVAX, or blends
Matches AHK-Cu identity on this page
L-alanyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine complexed with copper(II). Confirm sequence (Ala not Gly), peptide:copper ratio, counterion, hydration, and intact-complex assay — not HPLC area alone.
AHK-Cu vs GHK-Cu
| Feature | AHK-Cu | GHK-Cu |
|---|---|---|
| Sequence | Ala-His-Lys | Gly-His-Lys |
| INCI | Copper Tripeptide-3 | Copper Tripeptide-1 |
| Direct AHK hair evidence | Pyo 2007 + patent | Different literature |
| Interchangeable doses? | No | No |
Current research and regulatory status
No standardized US prescribing dose or approved AHK-Cu drug regimen. No registered interventional trial of AHK-Cu in living human participants was located on ClinicalTrials.gov searches through August 2026.
AHK-Cu appears in cosmetic and research-chemical commerce. Cosmetic INCI naming does not establish a medicine dose or androgenetic alopecia treatment claim. Patent examples document IP history — not regulatory approval.
Human research exposures
“Studied on human hair follicles” is accurate only with “outside the body.” Pyo et al., 2007 used isolated scalp follicles and dermal papilla cells — not scalp application, PK, or clinical regrowth.
Human evidence status
Ex-vivo follicles only — no living participant AHK-Cu dose located
- Standardized US prescribing dose
- None
- Living human treated with AHK-Cu in controlled research
- None located
- Best direct evidence
- Ex-vivo human follicles + dermal papilla cells (2007)
- Stimulatory lab range
- 10⁻¹²–10⁻⁹ M
- Inhibitory lab concentrations
- 10⁻⁸ M (−14.8%) · 10⁻⁷ M (−81.5% elongation)
- Patent mouse topical
- 0.1% and 0.5% w/w AHK:Cu
- Validated human SC / injection dose
- None located
- Human PK / half-life
- Not established by any route
Evidence sources vs AHK-Cu dose validity
| Source | Exposure | Validates AHK-Cu human dose? |
|---|---|---|
| Pyo 2007 | 10⁻¹³–10⁻⁷ M culture | Mechanistic only — not topical/systemic dose |
| ALAVAX 2016 | GHK + 5-ALA 50–100 mg/mL | No — wrong peptide |
| Copper Tripeptide-1 cocktail 2018 | Six-active intradermal mix | No — not AHK-Cu |
| Online protocols | Variable topical/SC | Documents convention only |
At 10⁻⁹ M, Bcl-2 rose and cleaved caspase-3/PARP fell under reported conditions — but apoptotic fraction change was not statistically significant. The paper did not measure VEGF or TGF-β1 for AHK-Cu directly.
Laboratory concentration-response
The Pyo study tested seven orders of magnitude to reveal a biphasic curve — not monotonic “more is better.” Using 415.93 g/mol, stimulatory 10⁻¹²–10⁻⁹ M ≈ 0.000416–0.416 ng/mL.
Culture concentration
Pyo 2007 molarity → mass concentration (415.93 g/mol)
Upper stimulatory · mechanistic assays
Stimulatory range (Pyo 2007)
ng/mL
4.16e-7
pg/mL
4.16e-4
Molarity
10⁻⁹ M
Culture molarity does not translate to topical % without measured scalp penetration. A 0.1% product is millions of times more concentrated in the bottle than 10⁻⁹ M.
Reported research dosage landscape
Patent 0.1%/0.5% topical, cosmetic ~0.05%–1%, DIY 1–2 mg/mL, and SC 50 µg–2 mg are not one therapeutic range. Injectable claims disagree by 10× or more.
Evidence split
Direct AHK-Cu research vs commercial / online conventions
Direct AHK-Cu research
Ex-vivo / in-vitro + patent animals
- Human follicles
- 10⁻¹²–10⁻⁹ M stimulatory; 10⁻⁸–10⁻⁷ M inhibitory
- Patent mouse topical
- 0.1% and 0.5% w/w · BID Mon–Fri
- Patent local ID
- 0.75–1.50 mg/mouse · rat pups 0.05–0.50 mg
- Living human trial
- None for AHK-Cu itself
- Route with best rationale
- Topical scalp (proposed first human program)
Current anecdotal / commercial
Conventions · no human AHK-Cu validation
- Finished topicals
- ~0.05%–1% · once/twice daily
- DIY serums
- 1–2 mg/mL (0.1%–0.2% w/v)
- SC injection claims
- 50 µg–2 mg · daily to 3–5× weekly
- Mis-citations
- ALAVAX GHK · Copper Tripeptide-1 cocktails
- Microneedling stacks
- No AHK-Cu monotherapy trial
Topical concentration and application math
mg/mL = 10 × % w/v. Applied mass = concentration × volume. A 0.1% label without pump volume and treated area does not specify daily dose.
Topical math
Concentration × volume → applied complex mass and nominal copper
Concentration (% w/v)
Application volume (mL)
mg/mL
1.00 mg/mL
Applied complex mass
1.000 mg
Nominal copper (1:1 complex)
152.8 µg Cu
Bottle molarity (approx.)
2.4 µM
Formula: mg/mL = 10 × % w/v. Applied mass = mg/mL × volume. Percent label alone does not specify daily dose without treated area and number of applications.
Common concentrations (1 mL application)
| % w/v | mg/mL | Applied mass (1 mL) | Nominal Cu (1:1 complex) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.01% | 0.1 mg/mL | 0.1 mg | ~15.3 µg |
| 0.05% | 0.5 mg/mL | 0.5 mg | ~76.4 µg |
| 0.10% | 1 mg/mL | 1 mg | ~152.8 µg |
| 0.50% | 5 mg/mL | 5 mg | ~764 µg |
| 1.00% | 10 mg/mL | 10 mg | ~1.53 mg |
A 0.1% solution is ~2.4 million× the upper stimulatory culture molarity before skin contact — that ratio does not predict follicular overdose; it shows topical % cannot be justified by direct culture matching.
Complete evidence-anchored research protocol (AHK-CU-SCALP-01)
First human program should be topical — follicular target, ex-vivo evidence, patent topical animal data. SC/injection exposes whole body without proof useful intact complex reaches scalp dermal papilla.
Proposed arms: vehicle, 0.01%, 0.05%, 0.10% w/v AHK-Cu · 1 mL once daily to ~100 cm² × 24 weeks (Part B). 0.50% omitted initially despite patent arm because human safety/penetration absent and lab inhibition at higher concentrations.
Proposed protocol
AHK-CU-SCALP-01 — staged topical dose-ranging (investigator-run)
| Phase | Duration | Exposure | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preclinical gates | Before enrollment | None | Identity, formulation, Franz penetration, dermal tox, exposure margin, bioanalytical validation |
| Part A lead-in | 14 days | 0.01% · 0.05% · 0.10% w/v or vehicle · 1 mL daily | 24 participants · sentinel dosing · safety/exposure characterization |
| Part B dose-ranging | 24 weeks | Fixed assigned concentration · 1 mL daily to ~100 cm² | 120 participants · primary NV hair count at week 24 |
| Off-treatment follow-up | Week 28 | None | Durability photography and safety after final application |
Requires identity, Franz penetration, dermal tox, exposure margin, and validated bioanalysis before enrollment. Microneedling, tattooing, and injection are excluded from the proposed design.
Requires preclinical gates: identity, Franz penetration, dermal tox, exposure margin, validated bioanalysis. Microneedling, tattooing, and injection prohibited in the proposed design.
Patent animal and cell research
US5538945: C3H mice 0.1% and 0.5% w/w topical AHK:Cu (1.1:1) in propylene glycol/ethanol/nonoxynol-9 vehicle · ~0.1 mL BID Mon–Fri. Local ID 0.75–1.50 mg/mouse. Rat pups 0.05–0.50 mg ID after cytarabine.
Patent vehicle and synchronized mouse hair cycle ≠ modern water-based cosmetic serum. No HED presented for local topical/ID exposures.
Why these concentrations were used
Pyo used a wide molar series for dose-response characterization. Patent compared 0.1% vs 0.5% in penetration-enhancing vehicle. Daily/twice-daily cadence and 8–24 week online durations reflect convenience and hair-cycle measurement logistics — not AHK-Cu PK.
Community SC schedules have no demonstrated half-life, bioavailability, or dose-response rationale.
Potential benefits: what has and has not been shown
Claim vs evidence
| Claim | Current conclusion |
|---|---|
| Stimulatory signal in human follicle culture | Yes — biphasic curve |
| Clinical hair regrowth in people | Unproven |
| Validated topical optimum % | Unknown |
| Validated injectable dose | None |
| Skin/collagen benefits from GHK literature | Indirect only for AHK-Cu |
AHK-Cu safety and side effects
No formal treated-human AHK-Cu safety dataset. Lab data show loss of stimulatory effect at 10⁻⁸–10⁻⁷ M. Plausible topical risks: dermatitis, irritation, staining, sensitization. Systemic copper risk depends on unknown absorption — Wilson disease is a special concern.
Safety monitoring
Biphasic lab signal · topical copper unknowns · no injectable safety program
- Laboratory signal
- 10⁻⁸ and 10⁻⁷ M inhibited ex-vivo follicle elongation — higher concentration reversed effect
- Topical risks (plausible)
- Erythema, pruritus, contact dermatitis, folliculitis, staining; no formal AHK-Cu AE rates
- Systemic copper
- Absorption unknown on intact scalp; Wilson disease and liver disease are special concerns
- Injection unknowns
- No human AHK-Cu injectable safety program; research vial ≠ sterile/endotoxin-controlled product
Product quality and storage
Require sequence, stereochemistry, peptide:copper ratio, intact-complex vs free peptide/copper, related impurities, microbial limits (topical), sterility/endotoxin (injectable). 99% HPLC purity does not confirm complexation, correct sequence (vs GHK), or preservative stability.
Storage is product-specific. Blue color suggests copper complexation but does not replace analytical release testing.
Common claims vs evidence
Claim checker
Common AHK-Cu claims vs the evidence record
There is a standard AHK-Cu human dose
False
No living participant has received a controlled AHK-Cu treatment dose. Product percentages are formulation conventions.
AHK-Cu dosage evidence ladder
Dosage evidence ladder
Ex-vivo signal exists — clinical scalp dose does not
| Level | What exists | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Approved medicinal dosing | None | None |
| Human clinical-trial dosing | None for AHK-Cu in living participants | None |
| Ex-vivo / in-vitro human tissue | Pyo 2007 · 10⁻¹³–10⁻⁷ M | Mechanistic · not a scalp dose |
| Patent animal dosing | 0.1%/0.5% topical · local ID in mice/rats | Preclinical · not peer-reviewed trials |
| Anecdotal topical | ~0.05%–1% · 8–24 weeks | Very low |
| Anecdotal injection | ~0.05–2 mg SC · conflicting schedules | Insufficient |
AHK-Cu dosing is not clinically established. The next step is a staged topical dose-ranging trial with measured follicular exposure — not selecting an online “standard dose.”
Sports and anti-doping considerations
AHK-Cu is not named on the 2026 WADA list reviewed — not automatic clearance. S0 may apply. Tested athletes need written product-specific guidance; contamination and undisclosed ingredients add risk.
Bottom line
AHK-Cu has one useful human-tissue concentration-response study and patent animal topical/intradermal examples. No living human AHK-Cu dose exists. Topical 0.05%–1% and SC µg–mg schedules are extrapolations; GHK-Cu and ALAVAX citations do not validate AHK-Cu.
Concentration selection matters — higher lab concentrations inhibited follicle elongation. Proposed first human program: 0.01% / 0.05% / 0.10% w/v topical after full CMC and penetration gates.
Ex-vivo human follicles ≠ clinical scalp dose. AHK-Cu ≠ GHK-Cu. Higher % or SC mg without human data is convention, not evidence.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard AHK-Cu dose?
There is no standard human dose. Finished topicals often use roughly 0.05%–1%, but that reflects products and convention rather than controlled optimization.
Has AHK-Cu been tested in a human clinical trial?
No controlled study administering AHK-Cu to living participants was located. Human follicles were studied ex-vivo in 2007.
What concentration was active in the Pyo study?
AHK-Cu stimulated follicle elongation and dermal papilla MTT signal from 10⁻¹² to 10⁻⁹ M. Ten⁻⁸ and 10⁻⁷ M inhibited elongation.
Is AHK-Cu the same as GHK-Cu?
No. AHK-Cu is Ala-His-Lys (Copper Tripeptide-3). GHK-Cu is Gly-His-Lys (Copper Tripeptide-1). Doses are not interchangeable.
Did the ALAVAX study test AHK-Cu?
No. It tested 5-aminolevulinic acid plus GHK peptide at 50 or 100 mg/mL once daily for six months.
What topical percentages were used in animals?
A patent mouse experiment used 0.1% and 0.5% w/w AHK:Cu in a penetration-enhancing vehicle, applied about 0.1 mL twice daily Monday–Friday.
What is the injectable AHK-Cu dose?
None is established. Online claims range from tens of micrograms to 2 mg with conflicting schedules — no published human injection study.
Can I match topical % to the culture molarity?
No. A 0.1% product is millions of times more concentrated in the bottle than the stimulatory culture range; skin penetration is unknown and inefficient.
Does AHK-Cu regrow hair in people?
Unproven. The ex-vivo signal supports a controlled trial, but no randomized human AHK-Cu regrowth study was located.
Can a 50 mg vial be reconstituted for injection?
Adding liquid yields a concentration, not injectable suitability. Research material may lack sterility, endotoxin control, and a supported human dose.
References
Pyo HK et al.
The effect of tripeptide-copper complex on human hair growthEx-vivo follicles · 10⁻¹³–10⁻⁷ M · biphasic response.
US Patent 5538945
Peptide compositions for hair growth0.1%/0.5% topical and intradermal AHK:Cu animal examples.
Lee YB et al.
ALAVAX hair-loss trial (5-ALA + GHK)GHK combination — not AHK-Cu; frequent mis-citation.
PubChem
Copper tripeptide-3 / AHK-Cu identityChemical identity reference.
WADA
2026 Prohibited ListS0 considerations; AHK-Cu not named individually.