Core Attributes
|
Attribute |
Value |
Source |
|
Amino Acid Sequence |
Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine (GHK) |
|
|
Copper Ion |
Cu²⁺ (cupric ion in chelate form) |
|
|
Molecular Weight |
340 Daltons |
|
|
Natural Occurrence |
Human plasma, saliva, urine |
|
|
Plasma Concentration (age 20) |
200 ng/mL |
|
|
Plasma Concentration (age 60) |
80 ng/mL (60% decline) |
|
|
Discovery |
1973 by Dr. Loren Pickart |
|
|
Mechanism Class |
Matrikine signaling molecule |
|
Clinical Efficacy Attributes
|
Parameter |
Measurement |
Duration |
Source |
|
Wrinkle Reduction |
35% improvement in facial wrinkles |
12 weeks |
|
|
Skin Elasticity |
70% increase (cutometer analysis) |
12 weeks |
|
|
Skin Firmness |
Significant improvement |
12 weeks |
|
|
Skin Thickness |
Measurable increase (epidermal + dermal) |
12 weeks |
|
|
Skin Density |
Increased (biopsy-confirmed) |
12 weeks |
|
|
Fine Lines |
Reduced appearance |
8-12 weeks |
|
|
Collagen Synthesis |
Significantly increased |
In vitro + clinical |
|
Mechanism Attributes
Collagen and Elastin Synthesis
|
Mechanism |
Effect |
Evidence |
|
Activates collagen synthesis genes |
Increases type I and III collagen production |
|
|
Suppresses collagen degradation genes |
Reduces matrix metalloproteinase activity |
|
|
Lysyl oxidase cofactor |
Copper enables collagen fiber cross-linking |
|
|
Elastin gene upregulation |
Increases elastin protein synthesis |
|
Wound Healing and Tissue Repair
|
Mechanism |
Effect |
Evidence |
|
Angiogenesis promotion |
Stimulates new blood vessel formation |
|
|
Immune cell attraction |
Recruits repair cells to wound site |
|
|
Re-epithelialization |
Accelerates wound closure |
|
|
Scar reduction |
Minimizes scar tissue formation |
|
|
Removes damaged collagen |
Clears damaged connective tissue |
|
Anti-Inflammatory Action
|
Mechanism |
Effect |
Evidence |
|
Reduces IL-6 production |
Decreases inflammatory cytokines |
|
|
TNF-α suppression |
Lowers tumor necrosis factor alpha |
|
|
Oxidative burst reduction |
Decreases reactive oxygen species |
|
|
Infection risk reduction |
Antimicrobial properties |
|
Antioxidant Protection
|
Mechanism |
Effect |
Evidence |
|
Free radical neutralization |
Scavenges reactive oxygen species |
|
|
Protects collagen from oxidation |
Prevents breakdown of structural proteins |
|
|
UV damage mitigation |
Reduces photo-oxidative stress |
|
Barrier Enhancement
|
Mechanism |
Effect |
Evidence |
|
Lipid synthesis upregulation |
Increases barrier lipids |
|
|
Protein expression enhancement |
Strengthens structural proteins |
|
|
Moisture retention |
Improves water-holding capacity |
|
Metalloproteinase Regulation
|
Mechanism |
Effect |
Evidence |
|
TIMP synthesis |
Increases tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases |
|
|
MMP balance |
Creates controlled collagen remodeling environment |
|
Application Attributes
|
Application Type |
Indication |
Concentration |
|
Anti-aging serums |
Fine lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness |
1-3% GHK-Cu |
|
Post-procedure care |
Laser, chemical peel, microneedling recovery |
1-2% GHK-Cu |
|
Scar treatment |
Acne scars, surgical scars, stretch marks |
1-3% GHK-Cu |
|
Eye creams |
Crow's feet, under-eye aging |
0.5-1% GHK-Cu |
|
Hair restoration |
Hair loss, follicle stimulation |
1-2% GHK-Cu |
|
Wound healing |
Minor injuries, skin damage |
1-2% GHK-Cu |
Comparative Attributes
vs. Retinoids
|
Parameter |
Copper Peptides |
Retinoids |
|
Collagen stimulation |
Comparable efficacy |
High |
|
Irritation rate |
Significantly lower |
High |
|
Barrier function |
Enhances |
Initially compromises |
|
Photosensitivity |
None |
Increases |
|
Wound healing |
Accelerates |
May impair |
|
Year-round use |
Safe |
Requires sun caution |
vs. Vitamin C
|
Parameter |
Copper Peptides |
Vitamin C |
|
Collagen synthesis |
Direct stimulation |
Cofactor for synthesis |
|
Wound healing |
Primary mechanism |
Secondary benefit |
|
Stability |
High |
Low (oxidizes easily) |
|
Irritation |
Minimal |
Moderate (high concentrations) |
|
pH sensitivity |
Neutral |
Acidic (pH 2.5-3.5) |
Dosage Attributes
|
Parameter |
Value |
Source |
|
Topical Concentration |
0.5-3% GHK-Cu in finished products |
|
|
Standard Concentration |
1% (typical anti-aging formulation) |
|
|
Application Frequency |
1-2 times daily |
|
|
Minimum Treatment Duration |
8 weeks for visible results |
|
|
Optimal Treatment Duration |
12 weeks for maximum benefit |
|
|
Results Timeline Week 4-6 |
Initial firmness improvement |
|
|
Results Timeline Week 8 |
Measurable wrinkle reduction |
|
|
Results Timeline Week 12 |
35% wrinkle improvement, 70% elasticity increase |
|
