AHK-Cu — alanyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper complex — is the copper peptide most studied in hair-follicle and tissue-remodeling research, a sister compound to GHK-Cu. Supplied as a lyophilized research peptide in 50 mg vials, copper verified by ICP-MS, third-party tested, shipped domestically from British Columbia.
Copper-verified research vials · flat $30 CAD Xpresspost · CoA on every batch
Section 01 — Definition
AHK-Cu — alanyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper complex — is a copper-chelating tripeptide and the closest sibling to GHK-Cu. It shares the histidyl-lysine copper-binding motif, swapping glycine for alanine at the first position, and it carries a single chelated copper ion in the same way.
Where GHK-Cu is the reference copper peptide of skin research, AHK-Cu is the one most associated with hair-follicle research — which is why searches for a “copper peptide for hair” so often land on AHK-Cu. The two are frequently studied side by side.
Helix North supplies AHK-Cu strictly as a lyophilized research material for in-vitro and laboratory use. Everything on this page is written for research handling and sourcing — it is not dosing guidance and not for human use.
The histidyl-lysine copper motif, tuned for follicular research — AHK-Cu is the copper peptide most cited in hair models.
Section 02 — Research
AHK-Cu's research profile centres on the hair follicle. Preclinical work has examined its effects on dermal-papilla cells — the signalling hub at the base of the follicle — and on growth-factor pathways such as VEGF that are studied in follicular models.
| Research area | Model focus |
|---|---|
| Hair follicle | Dermal-papilla signalling |
| Vascular | VEGF pathways |
| Adhesion | Cellular adhesion molecules |
| Matrix | Collagen & remodeling |
Like all copper peptides, a recurring theme is the copper ion itself as an enzyme cofactor. This is preclinical, mechanism-level research; none of it constitutes evidence of a human hair-growth or therapeutic effect.
Most researchers who study AHK-Cu also work with its sister peptide — see the GHK-Cu in Canada guide for the skin-and-collagen copper peptide, the reference compound of the pair.
Section 03 — Product
AHK-Cu is stocked as a lyophilized 50 mg research vial, and as an AHK-Cu + GHK-Cu combination kit for researchers working across both copper peptides at once. Each vial ships freeze-dried with a Certificate of Analysis for its specific lot.
Every lot is sent to an independent third-party laboratory for HPLC purity analysis, and copper content is separately verified by ICP-MS to confirm correct chelation — a copper peptide that carries the wrong amount of copper is not the compound the research calls for. The CoA is published on the product page so you can review it before ordering.
Choose a form below, or read how each lot is tested on our lab testing and CoA page.
Section 04 — Handling
AHK-Cu ships freeze-dried and is reconstituted with bacteriostatic water before use. The diluent volume is the only real decision, because it sets the concentration of the finished research stock — concentration is simply mass divided by volume.
Wipe both stoppers with an alcohol prep pad, draw the chosen volume of bacteriostatic water into an insulin syringe, and add it slowly down the inside wall of the vial. Swirl gently until dissolved — never shake — then refrigerate at 2 to 8°C. A 50 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL gives a 25 mg/mL stock. As with GHK-Cu, expect a blue solution — the colour is the chelated copper.
Our peptide storage and handling guide covers stability in detail. These are reconstitution mechanics for laboratory handling only — not dosing recommendations.
Section 05 — Sourcing
Sourcing AHK-Cu domestically removes the two problems that come with an offshore order: the customs wait and the currency markup. A Canadian-domestic shipment never crosses a border, so there is no customs hold and no risk of a package being detained or returned mid-protocol.
Helix North makes its peptides in Canada and ships AHK-Cu from British Columbia by Canada Post Xpresspost — 1 to 2 business days on the West Coast, 2 to 4 for central Canada, a flat $30 to any postal code, tracked and in plain packaging. Pricing is in Canadian dollars, so the number on the product page is the number on the receipt.
AHK-Cu is legal to purchase and possess for research in Canada and is not a controlled substance. It is supplied strictly as a research material. New here? The Canadian research peptides overview covers testing and shipping, and the GHK-Cu guide covers the copper peptide most researchers pair it with.
Section 06 — Common questions
Choose a 50 mg copper-verified vial with a third-party CoA, or pair it with GHK-Cu in a combination kit. Questions about lots or bulk quantities — get in touch.