Synopsis
Translate vial sizes into precise injections, understand cycling strategies, and know when topical delivery is the smarter play.
GHK-Cu has evolved from a cosmetic curiosity into a serious research candidate for tissue repair and dermatologic protocols. The math is simple, but the stakes are high: copper peptides sting on injection, and tolerance forms quickly when dosing is sloppy.
This guide is educational and cannot replace a clinician. Always pair peptide research with medical supervision, sterile technique, and pharmaceutical-grade sourcing.
Step-by-step dosage math
- Start with concentration. A 10 mg vial mixed with 2 mL of bacteriostatic water yields 5 mg/mL.
- Translate to insulin units. 1 mL equals 100 units. A 2 mg dose equals 0.4 mL, or 40 units.
- Track in cycles. Most clinicians run 30 days on, 30–60 days off to prevent desensitization.
Quick reference ranges
| Goal | Typical daily dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skin-focused or cosmetic | 1–2 mg | Often combined with topical GHK-Cu |
| Tissue repair | 2–3 mg | Monitor injection sites for irritation |
| Experimental protocols | 4–5 mg | Reserved for physician-monitored scenarios |
Protocol guardrails
- Source verification: Demand third-party purity data before buying.
- Injection technique: Expect a sting; rotate sites and stay shallow.
- Contraindications: Copper metabolism disorders, pregnancy, and breastfeeding are absolute no-go zones.
- Cycling: Schedule downtime to reduce tolerance and inspect markers such as ferritin or ceruloplasmin if a physician advises.
When topical delivery wins
High-grade serums deliver collagen signaling locally without systemic copper load. If your objective is purely dermal, dermatologists often prefer topical delivery paired with microneedling to bypass injection risks altogether.
Peptide math should feel boringly precise. When in doubt, recalc the concentration, log every injection, and loop your supervising clinician in before modifying a protocol.
