Are you facing hair loss, thinning, or an itchy, irritated scalp? Just as quite a few factors can cause people to lose their hair, there is not one remedy to treating hair loss. In fact, many scientifically proven ingredients can combat and even reverse the effects of hair-loss or hair-thinning conditions. In recent years, researchers have studied the effectiveness of copper tripeptide-1 for hair growth and discovered that it provides numerous benefits for fighting hair loss and supporting scalp health.
At Divi, we are committed to effectively using high-quality ingredients in our Scalp Serum to help users achieve optimal scalp health and hair growth. Copper tripeptide-1, also known as GHK-Cu, is one of the many clean ingredients in Divi’s Scalp Serum that nurture your scalp and hair follicles to grow thicker, shinier hair. Our exclusive formula contains the most effective, science-backed ingredients nature has to offer, including copper tripeptide-1.
In this article, we’ll explore the properties of copper tripeptide-1, including what it is, how it reverses hair loss and stimulates follicular growth, and how you can use this powerful ingredient to improve your hair.
What Is Copper Tripeptide-1 (GHK-Cu) and What Are Its Mechanisms?
By definition, copper tripeptide-1 (GHK-Cu) is a naturally occurring substance existing in your body’s blood plasma. GHK-Cu consists of the element copper, which links with three amino acids (glycyl-histidyl-lysine), hence the name “tripeptide.”
At age 20, your body contains a lot (around 200 ng/ml) of copper tripeptide-1. However, as you age, the levels drop. By the time you turn 60 years old, the level of copper tripeptide-1 usually has fallen to 80 ng/ml. Plummeting peptide levels, combined with other gender-specific factors such as a slower hair follicle regeneration process and increased production of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), result in greater, more pronounced hair loss.
Scientific research on copper tripeptide has revealed that the peptide string plays an enormous number of roles in the human body. According to a 2018 research article by pioneering biochemist Dr. Loren Pickart, who discovered the existence of copper tripeptide in 1973, and Anna Margolina, the copper peptide GHK-Cu:
- Stimulates blood vessel and nerve outgrowth
- Increases collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycan synthesis
- Supports the function of dermal fibroblasts
- Improves tissue repair for skin, lung connective tissue, boney tissue, liver and stomach lining.
Copper tripeptide-1 also possesses a powerful ability to protect cells through anticancer and anti-inflammatory actions. According to Pickart, it provides:
- Lung protection and restoration of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) fibroblasts
- Suppression of molecules believed to accelerate the diseases of aging such as NF-κB
- Anti-anxiety, anti-pain and anti-aggression activities
- DNA repair
- Activation of cell cleansing via the proteasome system
How Does Copper Tripeptide-1 Affect the Skin and Scalp?
GHK-Cu offers many health benefits to our hair and scalp. Pickart’s 2018 review article established that copper tripeptide-1 has the ability to:
- Tighten loose skin and reverse thinning of aged skin
- Repair protective skin barrier proteins
- Improve skin firmness, elasticity and clarity
- Reduce fine lines and depth of wrinkles, and improve structure of aged skin
- Smooth rough skin
- Reduce photodamage, mottled hyperpigmentation, skin spots and lesions
- Improve overall skin appearance
- Stimulate wound healing
- Protect skin cells from UV radiation
- Reduce inflammation and free radical damage
- Increase hair growth and thickness, and enlarge hair follicle size
Using copper tripeptide-1 for hair growth is an effective way to reverse the thinning, shedding and balding inevitably occurring for much of the population. If you suffer from hair loss, products containing GHK-Cu (like Divi's Scalp Serum) can help you nourish your hair. While copper tripeptide-1 won’t cure baldness, starting a topical regimen can help reverse the symptoms of hair loss and encourage fresh growth.
Common Causes of Hair Loss for Men and Women
Hair loss is a widespread issue affecting both genders, although it is more frequent in men than women. By age 70, four out of five men (80%) will experience hair loss. The most common reason men lose their hair is genetics and a condition called androgenetic alopecia, also known as male-pattern baldness. It occurs when hormonal changes cause shrinking hair follicles, usually starting with the hairline on the crown and above the temples. Men with a genetic predisposition for male-pattern baldness can start experiencing hair loss as early as their teens.
Women suffer from hair loss, too, with the most common cause being female-pattern hair loss (also called androgenetic alopecia). However, certain women have a higher risk than others, including hormonal changes from birth control, pregnancy, childbirth, or menopause.
Hair loss is a common side effect for anyone taking particular medications for health conditions, including:
- Heart problems
- Arthritis
- Depression
- Cancer
- Gout
- High blood pressure
Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist about the side effects of any prescribed medications.
Other factors contributing to hair loss include:
- Rapid weight loss and dieting
- Certain dermatological conditions (e.g., eczema, psoriasis, alopecia areata)
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Follicle-damaging hairstyles
- Medical treatments (e.g., chemotherapy or radiation)
- Extreme physical or emotional stress
- Thyroid abnormalities
- Scalp damage
How Can Copper Tripeptide-1 Promote Hair Growth?
The GHK-Cu copper peptide has numerous positive health effects on the human body. For example, it increases collagen and elastin synthesis, stimulates nerve and blood vessel outgrowth, and can enlarge human hair follicle size. Research has shown that GHK-Cu can provide the following benefits in fighting hair loss.
Fighting Against Androgenetic Alopecia
Androgenetic alopecia affects both men and women as they age. Multiple studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of GHK-Cu and copper peptides against androgenetic alopecia and other forms of hair loss.
As early as 2004, Loren Pickart published an article in a Russian journal (translated to English here) on “Improving Hair Growth with Skin Remodeling Copper Peptides,” in which he advocated the usage of skin-remodeling copper peptides (SRCPs), a type of GHK-Cu, for their anti-inflammatory and skin repair (wound-healing) properties as well as their ability to increase the size of hair follicles. He notes research discovering that hair follicles are the source of stem cells for the skin. He cites studies that found GHK-CU could increase hair follicle size, hair volume, and hair thickness, and could move more hairs into the anagen growth phase. Another study explains the benefits of taking copper tripeptide-1 for hair growth.
One 2016 study examined the effectiveness of a complex containing glycyl-histidyl-lysine (GHK) peptide and 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) to combat hair loss. The study consisted of 45 patients with male-pattern hair loss or baldness. They were split into three groups. The goal of the study was to evaluate hair thickness, hair count, hair length and adverse events for patients after one, three and six months. Ultimately, the copper tripeptide complex positively affected hair growth, stimulating dermal fibroblasts and increasing the vascular endothelial growth factor. It also promoted the development of human hair follicles.
Stimulating Blood Flow to Promote Hair Growth Cycle
Copper tripeptide-1 for hair growth may increase hair count and thickness and provide more benefits to the scalp and skin. Copper peptides can benefit by stimulating blood flow, which helps hair remain in the anagen growth phase. Another older study from 2007 showed that copper tripeptide-1 could extend the growth cycle of hair and thicken existing hair strands by enlarging follicles.
Increasing Collagen Production
As we age, our body produces less collagen, causing our skin to sag and lose its youthfulness and elasticity. Pickart completed a 2008 study proving copper tripeptides can trigger collagen and elastin synthesis. It also stimulates nerve outgrowth (encouraging a faster healing process for damaged hair follicles) and increases hair follicle size, ultimately creating a healthier follicular environment.
Providing Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties
GHK-Cu provides the benefit of robust anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. GHK copper peptides are able to deactivate damaging free radicals. Specifically, they neutralize by-products like glyoxal, acrolein and malondialdehyde, all resulting from lipid peroxidation. GHK-Cu doesn’t cause scalp irritation or itchiness and can relieve the symptoms of many different adverse conditions, like psoriasis, dermatitis and dry skin. Plus, this potent antioxidant may help maintain the healthy immunological function of your scalp and its delicate microbiome.
How To Use Copper Tripeptide-1 in Divi’s Scalp Serum To Fight Hair Loss
Among other ingredients, Divi’s Scalp Serum formula contains copper tripeptide-1 for hair growth, and this clinically proven ingredient may increase hair count, improve hair thickness, and stimulate blood flow to the scalp and hair follicles. The result? Improved hair growth and a healthier follicular environment.
Your body uses copper as a micronutrient to produce melanin, a natural compound that provides color and pigment for your skin and hair. Thus, copper tripeptide-1 may help you maintain your hair color for longer, giving your hair more vibrance.
Harnessing the many benefits of copper tripeptide-1 for hair loss issues may be much easier and more low-maintenance than you think. Divi’s Scalp Serum is a lightweight formula that’s fast-absorbing, residue-free and full of clinically effective, clean ingredients. No more messy, time-consuming hair masks or cream rinses. Instead, apply ¾ of a dropper each day to your scalp, then massage it in and let your scalp cells absorb it, with no rinsing required.
The Benefits of Using Divi's Scalp Serum Containing GHK-Cu to Combat Hair Loss
You know by now that the clean ingredient of copper tripeptide-1 is effective at promoting hair growth through several biological actions. However, Divi's Scalp Serum contains many other clinically proven ingredients working together synergistically to support optimal hair and scalp health. You’ll also find caffeine, peppermint oil, green tea leaf extract, menthol, eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil and rosemary leaf extract.
After starting Divi’s Scalp Serum, you may experience many positive effects concerning your hair and scalp health. Here are the primary benefits:
- Increases hair count
- Increases hair weight
- Promotes a healthy scalp
- Increases hair thickness
- Reverses hair loss, thinning, and shedding
- Stimulates blood flow and circulation to the scalp
- Improves hair growth cycle
- Inhibits follicle death and blocks DHT
- Boosts hair strength, shine, and vitality
- Makes hair feel smooth and silky
The Divi formula is also cruelty-free and vegan-friendly, and it doesn’t contain parabens, sulfates or alcohols. You can feel confident in the effectiveness of our Scalp Serum in promoting hair growth and safety for topical use, as we put it to the test with several research studies – and it passed with flying colors.
Of course, it’s important to note that Divi's Scalp Serum is not a cure for baldness. The copper peptides and other clean ingredients in the Divi formula effectively treat hair loss symptoms.
Copper Tripeptide-1 and Divi’s Scalp Serum: Promoting Optimal Hair and Scalp Health
GHK-Cu, or copper tripeptide-1, is a highly effective, science-backed ingredient clinically proven to combat hair loss symptoms and promote hair growth and scalp health. Studies demonstrate that this copper peptide can increase hair count and thickness, enlarge the size of follicles, stimulate blood flow to the scalp, trigger collagen production, and provide potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Targeting the root causes of hair health can help reverse the symptoms of thinning hair, shedding, and baldness that occur with age and other conditions. With Divi’s Scalp Serum, you can harness the powerful benefits of using copper tripeptide-1 for hair growth and other clean ingredients that fight against hair loss, promote scalp health, and boost your locks shine and vitality.
Our Scalp Serum is lightweight and easy to apply, and may soothe and relieve additional scalp symptoms like flaking, irritation and itchiness. The copper peptides, amino acids and botanical essential oils we’ve included in Divi's Scalp Serum formula promote hair growth and scalp nourishment. Try it today!
