Side-by-side · Research reference

DihexavsGHK-Cu

Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.

AAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED7/28 cited

BHuman-MechanisticHUMAN-REVIEWED8/47 cited

Dihexa

Angiotensin IV Analogue · Pre-Clinical

Pre-clinicalDevelopment stage

Rodent onlyEvidence basisBenoist 2014

HGF/c-MetTarget systemWright 2015

Not established — animal studies only

GHK-Cu

Tripeptide · Skin / Hair / Wound Healing

1–2 mgSQ dosePickart 2018

HumanMechanisticPickart 2018 Zink 2003

HoursHalf-life

SQ or topical · Local · Daily or 2-3×/week

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

Dihexa

GHK-Cu

Primary target

c-Met receptor (HGF receptor tyrosine kinase)

Copper-dependent enzymes (lysyl oxidase, SOD); regulator of >4000 human genesPickart 2018

Pathway

HGF/c-Met receptor activation → downstream signaling cascade → synaptogenesis and dendritic arborization

Cu(II) delivery via GHK chelation → ↑collagen / elastin / GAG synthesis; ↓inflammatory cytokines; ↑hair follicle growth-factor signalingPickart 2018

Downstream effect

Induction of dendritic arborization, synapse formation, neurogenesis, and neuroprotection in rodent models

Skin firmness + texture improvement, accelerated wound healing, hair regrowth, anti-inflammatory actionPickart 2018 Zink 2003

Feedback intact?

—

Replaces declining endogenous levels

Origin

Small-molecule angiotensin IV analogue designed to activate HGF/c-Met systemWright 2015

Endogenous tripeptide first isolated from human plasma; declines from ~200 ng/mL at age 20 to ~80 ng/mL at age 60Pickart 2018

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Dihexa

GHK-Cu

Human dosing

Not established — no human trials

—

Animal studies

Mouse/rat models only — dosing not translatable to humans

—

Evidence basis

Pre-clinical / Rodent models

Human-mechanistic + topical clinical studiesPickart 2018

Clinical status

No Phase 1, 2, or 3 trials published

—

Standard SQ dose

—

1–2 mg / dayPickart 2018

Anecdotal injectable range; topical creams use 0.1–2% solutions.

Topical concentration

—

0.1–2.0% in serum / cream

Frequency

—

Daily or 2–3× per week (SQ)

Lower / starter dose

—

0.5 mg / day SQ

Duration

—

8–12 weeks for visible skin / hair effect

Reconstitution

—

Bacteriostatic water; light-protected

Timing

—

No specific time; evening preferred for topicals

Half-life

—

Hours (estimated; rapid tissue uptake)

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Dihexa

GHK-Cu

Human safety data

None available — no human clinical trials

—

Theoretical c-Met risks

c-Met receptor activation has been implicated in tumorigenesis; unknown cancer risk profile

—

Pre-clinical tolerability

Not systematically reported in available studies

—

Injection site reaction

—

Erythema, mild pruritus (common)

Topical irritation

—

Mild redness, transient stinging

Copper accumulation

—

Theoretical with very high chronic doses

Allergic reaction

—

Rare hypersensitivity to copper

Pregnancy / OB

—

Avoid topical and SQ — insufficient data

Wilson disease

—

Contraindicated

Absolute Contraindications

Dihexa

·Not approved for human use — research compound only

GHK-Cu

·Wilson disease (copper-overload disorder)
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Known copper hypersensitivity

Relative Contraindications

Dihexa

·Theoretical contraindication: active or history of malignancy (c-Met pathway involvement in cancer)

GHK-Cu

·Hemochromatosis (copper-iron crosstalk theoretical)
·Concurrent copper-chelator therapy

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Dihexa

GHK-Cu

1. Human administration

No established protocol. Dihexa has not been tested in human subjects. Animal studies used various routes (typically subcutaneous or intraperitoneal in rodents) not translatable to clinical use.

Add 1–2 mL bacteriostatic water to a 50 mg vial → 25–50 mg/mL. Use within 30 days, refrigerated.

2. Legal status

Pre-clinical research compound. Not approved by FDA or any regulatory authority for human use.

SQ — local to the area of interest (face, scalp) for skin / hair indications. Rotate sites.

3. Timing

—

Anytime; evening preferred. Topical: apply to clean dry skin.

4. Storage

—

Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate, light-protected, ≤30 days.

5. Needle

—

30–31G, short (4–6 mm) for shallow SQ. Topical: clean fingertips, no needle.

06Stack Synergy

Dihexa

— no documented stacks

GHK-Cu

+ BPC-157

Moderate

View BPC-157 →

GHK-Cu drives ECM remodelling and copper-dependent enzymes; BPC-157 upregulates VEGFR2 angiogenesis and fibroblast migration. The pathways are non-overlapping and complementary — together they accelerate wound healing more than either alone in anecdotal protocols.

GHK-Cu: 1–2 mg SQ · daily near wound
BPC-157: 250–500 mcg SQ · daily near wound
Primary benefit: Combined ECM rebuilding + angiogenesis for tissue repair