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Dosing Protocols: Topical vs Systemic Administration
Topical application is effective for superficial wounds (abrasions, surgical incisions, first- and second-degree burns) and requires concentration between 0.5–2.0% GHK-Cu in a hydrogel or cream base. Lower concentrations (<0.5%) show minimal effect in controll
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- Topical application is effective for superficial wounds (abrasions, surgical incisions, first- and second-degree burns) and requires concentration between 0.5–2.0% GHK-Cu in a hydrogel or cream base. Lower concentrations (<0.5%) show minimal effect in controlled trials; higher concentrations (>3%) do not produce proportionally greater benefit and may cause localised irritation. The standard protocol: apply a thin layer to the wound bed twice daily after cleansing, continuing for 14–21 days or until complete re-epithelialisation. Do not combine with iodine-based antiseptics. Iodine oxidises copper and renders the peptide inactive.
- Systemic administration via subcutaneous injection is reserved for deeper tissue injuries (muscle tears, tendon damage, chronic non-healing ulcers) where topical penetration is insufficient. Dosing ranges from 1–5mg GHK-Cu per injection site, administered every 48–72 hours for two to four weeks. Injections are placed directly into the peri-wound tissue. Not into the wound bed itself, which would disrupt granulation. Research published in Wound Repair and Regeneration demonstrated that subcutaneous GHK-Cu at 3mg per site every three days reduced time to wound closure by 9.4 days in diabetic foot ulcers compared to standard care alone. The peptide must be reconstituted with bacteriostatic water and stored at 2–8°C after mixing. Any temperature excursion above 8°C degrades the copper-peptide complex irreversibly.