Most of what’s studied here is topical. GHK-Cu, Argireline and Matrixyl have small human skin studies; injected use and the tanning peptides carry much less evidence and some real risks.
GHK-Cu creams improved skin density and fine lines in small 12-week studies of women. Injected GHK-Cu has never been tested in people.
Afamelanotide (Melanotan-1) is approved only as a 16 mg implant every 2 months for a rare light-sensitivity disorder. Injected tanning use is unapproved.
Melanotan-2 was never approved. Case reports link it to new and changing moles, melanoma and prolonged erections.
| Compound | Evidence | Common dose | Frequency | Cycle, first 26 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GHK-CuCopper peptide | Human studies | 1–2 mg daily | Once daily | 6 weeks on, 3 off |
| AHK-CuCopper peptide (hair and skin) | Preclinical | Topical 0.01–0.2% serum | Once daily (topical) | Continuous |
| SNAP-8Cosmetic anti-wrinkle peptide | Human studies | Topical 15–50 ppm | Twice daily (topical) | Continuous |
| GLOW blendSkin and repair blend | Blend | 1–2 mg GHK-Cu share, daily | Once daily | 6 weeks on, 3 off |
| Melanotan 1Melanocortin agonist (tanning) | Approved drug | 0.25 → 1 mg daily, then 2–3× weekly | Daily while loading, then 2–3× per week | Load 3 weeks, then maintain |
| Melanotan 2Melanocortin agonist (tanning) | Human studies | 250–500 mcg daily, then weekly | Daily while loading, then 1–2× per week | Load 4 weeks, then maintain |
| ArgirelineCosmetic anti-wrinkle peptide | Human studies | Topical, twice daily (trials) | Twice daily (topical) | Continuous |
| MatrixylCosmetic collagen-signal peptide | Human studies | Topical, 3–50 ppm in tests | Twice daily (topical) | Continuous |
Each draw is worked out for the vial and water shown. The calculator can plan a whole run, including how many vials it takes.
50 mg of powder into 25 mL of serum.
50 mg dissolved into 25 mL of serum gives 0.2%, the low end of typical products (0.2–2%). Apply once or twice a day to clean skin.
| Period | Dose | Draw |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–1515 doses | 1 mg | 5 units |
| Days 16–3015 doses | 2 mg | 10 units |
Mixed as 50 mg + 2.5 mL (20 mg/mL). One vial holds 50 doses at 1 mg, or 25 at 2 mg.
One clinic guide’s ramp. Inject slowly with the vial at room temperature; copper peptides sting.
| Period | Dose | Draw |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–5daily, 5 doses | 0.25 mg | 5 units |
| Days 6–21daily, 16 doses | 0.5 mg | 10 units |
| Maintenance2–3× per week | 0.5 mg | 10 units |
Mixed as 10 mg + 2 mL (5 mg/mL). One vial holds 40 doses at 0.25 mg, or 20 at 0.5 mg.
Unapproved use of the injected powder. Get a skin check first and watch moles for any change.
Try a new topical product on a small patch of skin for a day or two before using it widely.
Take photos of the same area in the same light every two weeks. Skin changes are slow and easy to misjudge.
Injected GHK-Cu commonly stings. A room-temperature vial and a slow injection help, and clinic guides cycle it off to limit copper build-up.
CommunityAnyone using a melanotan should have a baseline skin check and watch for new or changing moles. The Scenesse label recommends a full-body skin exam twice a year.
LabelDoses tagged Community come from public dosing guides and user reports, checked against at least two of them. Those sites aren’t named here because many of them sell peptides or earn commissions on them.
Each compound’s page lists its own sources.
The approved GLP-1 drugs, the newer investigational ones, and fat-loss peptides with far less evidence.
BPC-157, TB-500, thymosin beta-4 and their blends, plus peptides aimed at joints, wounds, the gut and nerves.
GHRH analogs, ghrelin-receptor agonists such as ipamorelin and MK-677, IGF-1 analogs and follistatin.
Selank, Semax, their blend, Adamax, Pinealon, DSIP, Cerebrolysin, Dihexa and PE-22-28.
NAD+, MOTS-c, SS-31, glutathione, humanin, FOXO4-DRI and the bioregulator courses.
PT-141, hCG, kisspeptin-10, oxytocin, gonadorelin and triptorelin.
Thymosin alpha-1, Thymalin, KPV, VIP, LL-37 and larazotide.