Ingredient or product comparison
Comparison: GHK-Cu vs Other Scar Modulation Compounds
GHK-Cu MMP upregulation + collagen type III synthesis + TGF-β1 modulation Moderate (3 RCTs, 200+ participants total) Days 4–28 post-injury Requires occlusive delivery; ineffective on mature scars Onion Extract (Allium cepa) Antioxidant + mild anti-inflammatory
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- GHK-Cu
- MMP upregulation + collagen type III synthesis + TGF-β1 modulation
- Moderate (3 RCTs, 200+ participants total)
- Days 4–28 post-injury
- Requires occlusive delivery; ineffective on mature scars
- Onion Extract (Allium cepa)
- Antioxidant + mild anti-inflammatory
- Weak (inconsistent trial results, small sample sizes)
- Post-epithelialization
- No demonstrated effect on collagen ratios; primarily cosmetic
- Silicone Gel Sheeting
- Hydration + occlusion → reduced myofibroblast contraction
- Strong (meta-analysis of 15+ trials)
- Continuous use 12+ weeks
- Passive mechanical effect; no biochemical signaling
- Tretinoin (Retinoic Acid)
- Increases epidermal turnover + collagen synthesis
- Moderate (effective for atrophic scars, limited for hypertrophic)
- Post-scar maturation
- Can worsen hypertrophic scars if applied during active inflammation
- Corticosteroid Injection
- Suppresses fibroblast activity + collagen synthesis
- Strong (gold standard for keloid treatment)
- Post-scar formation
- Systemic side effects; requires repeated injections; atrophy risk
- GHK-Cu occupies a distinct niche: it's one of the few compounds with demonstrated biochemical activity during active wound remodeling that doesn't rely on suppression or mechanical barrier alone. Corticosteroids work but carry atrophy risk. Silicone works but doesn't address collagen architecture. GHK-Cu modulates the healing process itself. But only if applied during the correct phase.