Hair Growth Research Peptides

11 research peptides demonstrate hair growth properties. This collection covers their mechanisms, evidence base, and research applications.

Preclinical | Healing & Recovery

TB-500 is a synthetic fragment of thymosin beta-4 (Tβ4), a naturally occurring 43-amino-acid peptide found throughout human tissues.

Mechanism: TB-500 works primarily through actin sequestration — it binds to G-actin monomers, preventing premature polymerization, which allows repair cells to migrate rapidly to injured areas.

No Regulatory Activity | Skin & Tissue Repair

GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) found in human plasma, saliva, and urine. First discovered by Dr.

Mechanism: GHK-Cu chelates copper(II) ions via its histidine residue and delivers bioavailable copper directly to cells, preventing free copper oxidative damage.

No Regulatory Activity | Cosmetic Peptide

Copper tripeptide-1 (GHK-Cu) is the copper complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine. Note: This entry focuses on the cosmetic/dermatological use of GHK-Cu.

Mechanism: GHK-Cu delivers copper ions to skin cells while the GHK peptide acts as a signaling molecule. Copper is a cofactor for lysyl oxidase (collagen cross-linking), superoxide dismutase (antioxidant...

No Regulatory Activity | Cosmetic Peptide

Myristoyl pentapeptide-17 is a lipopeptide used in eyelash and eyebrow growth cosmetic products. It is proposed to promote hair growth by stimulating keratin gene expression in hair follicle cells.

Mechanism: Myristoyl pentapeptide-17 is proposed to upregulate keratin gene expression in hair follicle keratinocytes, promoting hair shaft production and potentially increasing lash/brow thickness and length.

No Regulatory Activity | Cosmetic Peptide

Biotinoyl tripeptide-1 is a peptide consisting of the GHK (glycyl-histidyl-lysine) tripeptide conjugated to biotin (vitamin B7).

Mechanism: Biotinoyl tripeptide-1 combines two active moieties: the GHK tripeptide (which stimulates extracellular matrix production and tissue repair) and biotin (which is essential for keratin production and...

Preclinical Only | Cosmetic / Research

AHK (Alanyl-Histidyl-Lysine) is a tripeptide related to GHK that shares copper-binding properties. It has been studied for its ability to stimulate hair follicle growth and promote wound healing through collagen synthesis and growth factor...

Mechanism: AHK chelates copper ions similarly to GHK. It stimulates dermal papilla cell proliferation via Wnt/beta-catenin pathway activation, promotes collagen synthesis, and enhances growth factor signaling...

Preclinical Only | Cosmetic / Research

AHK-Cu is the copper-complexed form of the AHK tripeptide. The addition of copper enhances its biological activity, particularly in stimulating dermal papilla cells for hair growth and wound healing applications.

Mechanism: Copper-dependent enzyme activation enhances dermal papilla cell stimulation. The copper complex promotes angiogenesis and ECM remodeling, with enhanced bioactivity compared to the non-copper form.

Early Human / Mixed Evidence | Regenerative / Research

GHK is a naturally occurring tripeptide first isolated from human plasma. It declines significantly with age. Even without copper complexation, GHK demonstrates gene-regulatory activity affecting over 4,000 genes related to tissue repair, immune...

Mechanism: GHK modulates expression of over 4,000 human genes. It promotes collagen and decorin synthesis, regulates anti-inflammatory cytokines, and attracts stem cells to injury sites.

Preclinical | Hair Growth

PTD-DBM is a cell-permeable peptide that activates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, a key regulator of hair follicle development and cycling.

Mechanism: PTD-DBM contains a protein transduction domain fused to a Dishevelled-binding motif that stabilizes β-catenin by inhibiting its phosphorylation and degradation.

Manufacturer-Sponsored Studies | Hair Growth / Cosmetic

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 is a biomimetic cosmetic peptide used in hair care formulations, most notably as the peptide component of Capixyl (combined with red clover-derived biochanin A).

Mechanism: Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 is thought to stimulate extracellular matrix proteins (particularly laminins and collagens) in the dermal papilla, strengthening the anchoring of hair follicles.

Preclinical / Serendipitous Finding | Stress / CRF Antagonist

Astressin-B is a synthetic cyclic peptide antagonist of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptors, originally developed for stress-related research.

Mechanism: Astressin-B is a non-selective CRF receptor antagonist that blocks both CRF1 and CRF2 receptors. CRF is the master regulator of the stress response, activating the HPA axis and peripheral stress...