AHK-Cu: The Copper Peptide for Scalp & Hair

If GHK-Cu is the copper peptide for your face, AHK-Cu is the one for your scalp. It's the active at the heart of Scalp Theory — and while the two peptides are cousins, they aren't interchangeable.

What is AHK-Cu?

AHK-Cu (copper tripeptide-3) is a short chain of three amino acids — alanine, histidine, and lysine — bound to a copper ion. Like all copper peptides, it carries copper, an essential trace mineral, into the skin. What makes AHK-Cu distinct is that it's the copper peptide most studied in the context of hair and the follicle, rather than facial skin.

Why a scalp-specific peptide?

The scalp isn't just skin with hair on top — it's a busy environment of follicles, oil, and buildup. Research associates AHK-Cu with supporting follicle health and the hair-growth cycle. Rather than treating the scalp like a face, Scalp Theory pairs AHK-Cu with two supporting actives that address the whole environment:

• Salicylic acid — an oil-soluble BHA that gently clears follicle-blocking buildup.
• Caffeine — studied for supporting local microcirculation at the scalp.

Most scalp tonics address one variable. Scalp Theory addresses three: the follicle itself, the environment around it, and blood flow to it.

How to use it

Apply to a clean, dry or slightly damp scalp, parting the hair and applying directly to the skin in sections. Don't rinse. Copper peptides work gradually — this is a long-term scalp-health habit, not an overnight fix.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Mycena products are cosmetics and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.