Free GHK-Cu reconstitution calculator for injection dosing. Enter vial size (50-200 mg), BAC water volume, and dose to get concentration, syringe units, and doses per vial. Includes dosing protocols by goal (skin, hair, wound healing) and topical vs injectable guidance. Verify GHK-Cu quality with independent lab test data on Peptigrity.
A 100 mg vial of GHK-Cu reconstituted with 5 mL of bacteriostatic water gives a concentration of 20 mg/mL, or 200 mcg per unit on a U-100 syringe. For a 500 mcg dose, draw the syringe to 2.5 units (0.025 mL, ≈ 3 on the barrel). At that dose the vial provides about 200 doses.
Defaults (100 mg vial, 5 mL, 500 mcg) carried over unchanged from this calculator's live defaults (2 September 2026). Arithmetic only, not a recommendation.
Draw the syringe up to
That's one 500 mcg dose. Add 5 mL of water to your 100 mg vial first.
| Step | Dose | Draw on a U-100 | Doses per vial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower-dose | 500 mcg | 2.5 units | 200 |
| Standard | 1 mg | 5 units | 100 |
| Higher-dose | 2 mg | 10 units | 50 |
Tap any row to load that dose into the calculator above.
GHK-Cu is unique among research peptides because it supports three distinct administration routes, each targeting different tissue layers. The tripeptide copper complex (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) is naturally found in human plasma at ~200 ng/mL in youth, declining with age.
| Protocol | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 1 mg (1,000 mcg) | 1× daily | 4-8 weeks | Skin, hair, general |
| Higher-dose | 2 mg (2,000 mcg) | 1× daily | 4-6 weeks | Wound healing, hair loss |
| Lower-dose | 500 mcg | 1× daily | 8-12 weeks | Anti-aging maintenance |
| Cycling | 1-2 mg | 5 on / 2 off | 6-8 weeks | General with breaks |
| Use | Concentration | Application | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face / skin | 25 mg/mL (50 mg + 2 mL) | 5-10 drops | 1× daily PM |
| Scalp / hairline | 25 mg/mL | 10-15 drops | 1× daily PM |
| Wound / scar | 10-25 mg/mL | Apply to area | 1-2× daily |
| Area | Concentration | Volume | Needle Depth | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Face | 10-25 mg/mL | 0.5-1 mL | 0.25-0.5 mm | Every 2-4 weeks |
| Scalp | 10-25 mg/mL | 1-2 mL | 0.5-1.0 mm | Every 2-4 weeks |
| Stretch marks / scars | 25 mg/mL | Per area | 0.5-1.5 mm | Every 4 weeks |
GHK-Cu is commonly supplied in 50 mg and 200 mg vials - larger than most peptides. Choose BAC water volume based on intended route. The reconstituted solution should have a characteristic light blue tint from the copper(II) ion.
| Vial | BAC Water | Conc. | Best For | 1 mg Draw | Doses (1 mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 mg | 2 mL | 25 mg/mL | Topical / microneedling | 4 units | 50 |
| 50 mg | 5 mL | 10 mg/mL | Injection (recommended) | 10 units | 50 |
| 200 mg | 8 mL | 25 mg/mL | Topical / high-volume | 4 units | 200 |
| 200 mg | 20 mL | 10 mg/mL | Injection (multi-month) | 10 units | 200 |
Large GHK-Cu vials present a unique challenge - the dose-to-vial ratio means a single reconstituted vial can last far beyond the 28-day stability window. Plan accordingly.
| Vial | 500 mcg / day | 1 mg / day | 2 mg / day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 mg | 100 days ⚠️ | 50 days ⚠️ | 25 days ✅ |
| 200 mg | 400 days ⚠️ | 200 days ⚠️ | 100 days ⚠️ |
Only the 50 mg vial at 2 mg/day fits comfortably within the 28-day window. For lower doses, consider partial reconstitution or smaller vials. See how to store peptides.
| Property | GHK-Cu | AHK-Cu |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper(II) | Alanyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper(II) |
| Molecular weight | 340.38 Da (free) / 403.87 Da (Cu complex) | 354.40 Da (free) / ~418 Da (Cu complex) |
| Origin | Naturally occurring in human plasma | Synthetic analogue |
| N-terminal | Glycine | Alanine |
| Research base | Extensive - Dr. Loren Pickart's foundational research | Limited - primarily cosmetic studies |
| Solution colour | Light blue (copper(II) ion) | Light blue (copper(II) ion) |
The GLOW blend combines GHK-Cu with low-dose BPC-157 for skin rejuvenation and wound healing. GHK-Cu provides copper-dependent tissue remodelling while BPC-157 adds angiogenic and anti-inflammatory support. For GLOW dosing, use the Blend Calculator with the GLOW preset.
Check the CoA for ≥98% HPLC purity and mass spectrometry confirming MW of 340.38 Da (free peptide) or 403.87 Da (copper complex). The reconstituted solution should have a light blue tint - absence of colour may indicate the copper complex is missing. Cross-reference with independent lab test results.
At 10 mg/mL (50 mg + 5 mL BAC water): 1 mg = 10 units. At 25 mg/mL (50 mg + 2 mL): 1 mg = 4 units. The 10 mg/mL concentration gives the cleanest draws for injection.
Yes. Reconstituted GHK-Cu can be applied topically or used as a microneedling serum. Topical targets surface-level skin. Microneedling enhances dermal penetration. Subcutaneous injection provides the most bioavailable systemic delivery for hair and wound healing.
GHK-Cu contains a copper(II) ion that gives the reconstituted solution a light blue tint. This is normal and expected - it confirms the copper is properly bound. Absence of blue tint may indicate the product lacks the copper complex.
A 50 mg vial at 1 mg/day lasts 50 days - exceeding the 28-day stability window. At 2 mg/day it lasts 25 days, which fits within stability limits. For lower doses, consider partial reconstitution.
GHK-Cu is the naturally occurring copper tripeptide with extensive research. AHK-Cu is a synthetic analogue with a different N-terminal amino acid (alanine vs glycine). GHK-Cu has the stronger research base.
GHK-Cu is used in the GLOW blend with BPC-157. Do not mix with peptides that may chelate or interact with the copper ion. Use separate injections for other peptides.
Preclinical data shows GHK-Cu stimulates hair follicle growth through increased follicle size and growth-phase duration. Community protocols use both subcutaneous injection and topical/microneedling application to the scalp. Results are typically assessed after 3-6 months of consistent use.