Copper peptides for hair growth: Do they really work for thicker, fuller hair?

Everyone has heard of protein, but not as many people are aware of their little brother, peptides. They may be small in size, but these naturally occurring substances pack a mighty punch.

They've become a popular staple on the ingredient list for many skin and hair products with the ability to enhance collagen production, strengthen hair, stimulate hair regrowth and improve scalp health.

Whether you're trying to combat thinning hair or stop hair loss in its tracks, peptides could be a good next step in your hair care routine. Here's what you need to know.

What are copper peptides?

Peptides of all kinds are the building blocks of protein. Whereas protein is made from 100 or more amino acids, peptides are smaller chains of around 3-30 amino acids [1]. 

They are substances that occur naturally in your body and play a vital role in everything from supporting your immune system to hormone production. 

Copper peptides were discovered way back in 1973. Scientifically, they are known as GHK-Cu [4]. So, whether we’re talking about copper peptides or GHK-Cu, just know we mean the same thing. 

Do copper peptides really promote hair growth?

We’re going to say ‘yes, but…’ on this one. Copper peptides can help with healthy hair growth, but they may not work for every person or every type of hair loss.

Before we dive into how they support thicker hair, let’s talk about how copper peptides actually work.

How do copper peptides work?

Copper is one of the 9 essential minerals that humans need daily. It supports all kinds of processes in your body and can be found in your bones, muscles, skin and organs [3].

For a long time, researchers believed that GHK-Cu worked because of its relationship to copper. It binds to copper ions and helps transport them around the body, making sure it gets to all the places it needs to go [4].

While that is part of the answer, new research points to a bigger mechanism at play. It looks like the GHK-Cu peptide does more than transport copper; it can actually influence your genes (in a good way). 

Copper peptides’ ability to activate or deactivate certain genes can have a wide range of benefits in your body, from wound healing to reducing wrinkles and stimulating hair regrowth.

More research will help us understand these processes better. But for now, you should know that copper peptides are powerful players.

How can they support hair growth?

There are a few benefits that copper peptides have in your body, which are also good for your hair. For example [2]:

• Stimulate wound healing
• Improve blood flow to the skin
• Enhance collagen production
• Promote angiogenesis 

All of these help improve scalp health, which can then support the hair growth cycle. A really important one is angiogenesis, which is the process of developing new blood vessels.

The more blood vessels you have, the more blood circulation is possible. Better blood circulation means more nutrients to stimulate hair follicles – a key factor in promoting new hair growth [5].

Other peptides for healthy hair growth

Peptides of all kinds are popular ingredients in skin and hair products. For hair, they are used to help improve the overall texture, shine and volume [6].

Some can treat dry or damaged hair, while others promote thicker hair by increasing your hair strength and reducing breakage.

So, other than copper peptides – which ones should you be looking out for? Here are 2 key peptides for hair health.

Biotin

Biotin peptides, also known as biotinoyl tripeptide-1, are often found in hair enhancement and hair loss prevention products [1].

One study reviewed the effectiveness of a hair growth product that combined biotin peptides with other ingredients. Results found that the biotin peptides could help reduce DHT production, which is a common tactic for preventing hair loss [7].

Beyond peptides, there’s also the vitamin itself. Research has found that a biotin deficiency could contribute to hair thinning and loss. We explained more about this in our article on the benefits of biotin. 

Keratin

Next up, we have keratin. Keratin peptides are all about improving the condition of your hair, which in turn can help with those luscious locks you’re seeking.

Keratin peptides can help [6]: 

• Reduce frizz
• Restore strength
• Increase hair flexibility
• Reduce damage from UV and heat exposure

How hair care supports a healthy scalp

A lot of people forget the importance of hair care for improving hair density, texture and appearance. 

Anything from an inflammatory skin condition to a vitamin deficiency could be an underlying cause of hair thinning and hair loss [9][11]. Treating these conditions could help improve your hair and support hair regrowth.

There are lots of simple ways you can show your scalp (and hair) a little extra love – from a daily scalp massage to using products with follicle-friendly ingredients like saw palmetto, caffeine or biotin. 

There’s also coconut oil, which research shows can help balance your scalp microbiome to create a healthy foundation for hair regeneration [8].

Finally, our friends peptides. Copper peptides can help improve the texture of your skin, including your scalp. They’re a popular ingredient in skin products for many reasons, including [4]:

• Reversing signs of ageing, like fine lines and wrinkles
• Improving skin elasticity and firmness
• Smoothing rough skin
• Protecting against UV radiation
• Treating skin spots, lesions and hyperpigmentation
• Reducing inflammation
• Promoting wound healing

If you’re looking for an all-in-one, then Pilot’s Hair Growth Booster Kit is a good place to start. It includes all the products you’ll need for healthy hair growth, like a gentle shampoo and conditioner, biotin supplements and a derma roller for better blood flow.

We do want to add a bit of a disclaimer here; while a healthier scalp can make a real difference, it’s not enough to treat medical hair loss. Conditions like androgenetic alopecia require scientifically-proven treatments from a dermatologist or other healthcare professional.

What to consider when choosing a peptide for hair growth 

Not all peptides or hair products were made the same, but how do you tell the best from the rest? Here are a couple of things to check.

Type of peptide

There are over 70 different peptides that we know of currently, which are broadly placed into 3 categories: signal, carrier and neurotransmitter [1][2]. 

• Signal peptides help with growth, including hair growth, by stimulating fibroblasts and collagen
• Carrier peptides, like our friend GHK-Cu, bind with other substances to transport them around the body
• Neurotransmitter peptides help reduce muscle activity, which has positive effects on things like wrinkles

Choosing the ideal peptide for you will depend on what outcome you're looking for. We always recommend asking a health professional for advice.

Product ingredients

Read the ingredient list for any hair growth and strengthening product, and you'll probably find more than peptides on it. That’s because they work well in teams.

Examples of other hair-friendly ingredients include [5][13]: 

• Growth-stimulating ingredients like caffeine or Redensyl
• Hydrating ingredients like glycerin or niacinamide
• Strengthening ingredients like Capixyl

Peptides are also pretty small substances, which makes them delicate. Combining them into products with other ingredients can help them survive long enough to be absorbed and used by your body [10].

What is the best way to use copper peptides for hair growth?

There are lots of different ways to use peptides, with the most common being injections, tablets or capsules, and creams or serums [10].

Injections

Injections are the most effective option because they penetrate directly into the skin. This allows the product to bypass your protective skin barrier and reach the deeper layers; where your hair follicles and blood vessels live [3][10].

But, they’re not the most convenient option. They’re more expensive than the other options, and you have to seek treatment from a medical professional.

Oral 

Oral peptides, like tablets and capsules, are super easy to take – but they’re often less effective [10].

The peptides get broken down in your gut, which can limit their power. You might notice that oral doses are higher to compensate for this.

Topical

Peptides in creams or serums can be applied topically. They’re easy to use and go directly onto the skin, which helps increase their effectiveness.

To use a peptide serum [13]:

• Apply once per day, either morning or night
• Simply rub a couple of drops directly into your scalp
• There’s no need to wash it off
• Make sure to get it on the skin rather than the hair

Like most treatments, the best results are from consistent use. According to health experts, it takes anywhere from 3-4 months before you can actually see the difference [5][13].

Side effects and precautions of peptide use

When it comes to copper peptides, there is a very low risk of a reaction or toxicity. Copper has been used in many forms for thousands of years for everything from medicines to jewellery, and has generally been found safe [3].

Having said this, it’s always good to be cautious when you start a new product, as you don’t know for sure how your body will react.

Peptides can cause skin reactions with topical application, such as redness, inflammation, a rash or swelling [12]. Injectable or oral peptides could lead to mild gut issues as well, like gas, bloating or diarrhoea.

Before you start, make sure to check in with your doctor and find out if the product is a good choice for you. And let them know about any reactions you notice during treatment as well.

The bottom line: Can peptides really give you thicker, fuller hair?

After all that learning, you might have lost track of the key question – do copper peptides really work for hair growth?

We thought it would help to sum it up simply for you, so here goes:

• Copper peptides are one of the few peptides that can improve your hair and scalp health, which in turn helps promote hair growth
• They are most effective on dry, damaged or thinning hair and may not work for medical hair loss conditions
• They are available in lots of different formulas –  from injections to serums – so ask your doctor about the best option for you
• Copper peptides are generally considered safe, but as always, speak with your doctor about any health concerns before or during treatment

Treating hair loss medically

Before you go, we wanted to share a bit about how Pilot’s hair loss treatment is helping Aussie men keep or regrow their hair.

We offer personalised treatment plans designed by qualified practitioners that can help with thinning, receding or advanced hair loss.

You’ll also have access to unlimited follow-ups, so you can get support from a Pilot practitioner whenever you need it.

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