Dr. Dray breaks down one of the biggest skincare and wellness trends right now: GHK-Cu copper peptide. With injectable peptides gaining traction across social media, this video takes a closer look at what the science actually shows and what you need to know before considering them.
In this video, Dr. Dray explains what GHK-Cu is, how it functions in the body, and the current evidence behind its use for skin rejuvenation, wound healing, and hair growth. She also dives into the growing concern around injectable peptide use, including lack of regulation, limited human clinical trials, and potential safety risks.
If you’ve seen influencers promoting peptides for anti-aging, hair growth, or longevity, this evidence-based breakdown will help you separate hype from reality.
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
0:49 What is GHK-Cu
1:40 What the science shows for skin
3:07 Collagen and anti-aging claims
4:14 Hair growth evidence
5:40 Brain and longevity claims
6:24 The problem with injectable peptides
8:51 Topical vs injectable
9:55 Bottom line
10:30 Outro
Key topics covered
GHK-Cu copper peptide explained
Copper peptides for skin and wound healing
Does GHK-Cu boost collagen and reduce wrinkles
Copper peptides for hair growth and hair loss
Injectable peptides safety and risks
Topical vs injectable skincare peptides
Anti-aging trends and evidence-based skincare
This video emphasizes the importance of relying on high-quality human clinical data when evaluating new skincare and wellness trends. While GHK-Cu shows promise in early research, most evidence comes from lab and animal studies, with limited robust human trials.
Dr. Dray also discusses why injectable peptides are a concern, including lack of FDA approval for cosmetic use, inconsistent dosing, and unknown long-term safety.
For those looking to improve skin health or address hair loss, proven and well-studied treatments remain the safest and most effective approach.
Subscribe for more dermatologist-reviewed skincare advice and evidence-based insights.
FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links.
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Disclaimer: This video is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment or medical advice. Content provided on this Youtube channel is for informational purposes only. Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment options. Information on this Youtube channel should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. The statements made about specific products throughout this video are not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
Hi guys,
GHK-Cu and other peptides are definitely having a moment right now, but I want to emphasize that trending does not equal safe or effective.
While copper peptides like GHK-Cu have interesting biological activity and some promising early research for skin and hair, most of the data is still limited to lab studies, animal models, or very small human trials. We do not have strong, long-term clinical evidence supporting injectable use for anti-aging, hair growth, or longevity.
Injectable peptides are not FDA-approved for these uses, and there are real concerns when it comes to dosing, purity, and long-term safety.
Topical copper peptides are a different story and are generally low risk, but even there, expectations should be realistic.
If you are dealing with concerns like hair loss or skin aging, there are well-studied, evidence-based treatments that are much more reliable and better understood.
I would love to hear your thoughts. Have you seen peptides being promoted online or have you tried any peptide products?
Thanks for watching and I will talk to you guys tomorrow. Bye.
❤ giving us all the information we need, clear, to the point and without bias, thank you for educating
You’re seriously going to sit here as a physician in 2026 3 to 4 years post Covid.. and continue to encourage to tell people well minded and healthy to trust FDA the same board that approves SSRI therapies… This is laughable.
@austinpowell2654Totally agree. FDA is run by nothing but clueless bureaucrats
Still can’t believe it’s true, but…… have to be true, I’m totally free from dandruff. It’s like what the h…????? not only my head, my entire body are free from….ehhh.. I don’t know what, ehhh dandruff?
My skin is different. started using the blue-pep April/May 2026.
But, the side effect? anyone? like Tinnitus?
@austinpowell2654a drone will remain loyal to the overlords.
I started injecting KLOW peptides 9 weeks ago hoping to improve my right knee function. I needed left foot surgery and realized it wouldn’t be possible without a right leg for support. My right knee was swollen and painful and would buckle during another flareup (tests showed overuse and some arthritis).
I had the left foot surgery 3 weeks ago and my right leg has carried me through recovery. I’m still in a medical boot and use a cane at times for balance.
I injected the KLOW peptides above and around my right knee with amazing results. The 4 month long swelling and pain subsided and I can see my knee bone again! I don’t know the science behind my results but I appreciate the results.
I am 76 and an active female who plans on returning to line dance lessons and all activities soon.
How do you know it wouldn’t have resolved on its own? You did say it was “another flare-up.” So it has resolved in the past, correct? How do I know you’re not a shill for this stuff? I found 0 scientific studies on it.
Good for you!
@teri2466I have had flareups since the 80’s from different stressors. This was the worse one so far and refused to settle down though I tried anti inflammatory meds, Ice, elevation and rest. Three weeks after starting injections I noticed the pain and buckling receding. The swelling has been slower to resolve. Currently my right knee is symptom free and supporting me while my left foot heals.
I have never experienced this much cooperation from my right knee.
I appreciate that this is anecdotal evidence but it is my experience.
@teri2@teri2466d you even read all of her post? Or were you in too big of a hurry to comment? She clearly said she doesn’t know for sure, when she said she doesn’t know the science behind her results.
@thomass789 She doesn’t know “for sure” what? The science? She couldn’t know that because there isn’t any. That was my point.
This is why I ignore social media and especially influencers.
Always follow the money, 💯.
Peptides are just proteins 😅 they work
@Enhancedgenetics”they work” sounds simple enough. But why not go with “ JUST INJECT!” LOL 😂
Have you tried? I have. It works.
@letsgo4834yeah Inject ! And 😅
Women get Botox injected into their face at med spas and other unregulated facilities all the time. I’m trying to understand how this is worse.
People* not only women
@mindyabizness7458the fact that you think most of these spas are reputable companies and the Botox they are using are all medical grade tell us a lot about yourself. You can buy a box of Botox from the same exact websites you can buy peptides.
@jojolovatic01True
@mindyabizness7458 the fact that you think you cant buy legit and well tested things off the internet tells me so much about you. honestly, what youre saying is really dumb lol.
@CoachZanzayou can, but peptides aren’t one of them, tard. Stop bootlickng China made products. Asians everywhere laugh at how gullible you people are.😊
I agree with what you’re saying; however, FDA approval isnt the end all be all. A lot of stuff we use and consume everyday isnt FDA approved
Even the food we eat
FDA is not for health..just Wealth
YEP! A lot of vitamins, protein shakes, etc aren’t FDA approved, but people take them.
@D@DamandaScotts but shakes are not medication. The supplement industry is unregulated. I think everyone knows that.
100%! The govt is trying to get their hanfs on this $$$$$$!
FDA approval isn’t a gold seal. Many things which are hugely beneficial are just not profitable, for example, BPC-157. It is something anybody can make so going through trials and trying to get a patent isn’t worth it for pharmaceutical companies. If there is no financial gain, you are not going to hear about it going through FDA.
THIS! Yes.
FDA approval requires millions to be spent on testing and research. Companies can not patent peptides, so no money to be made and noway they will spend millions without being able to make a huge profit.
Excellent point! I was looking into Korean sunscreen (Eastern sunscreen technically bc it wasn’t all Korean) and it’s infuriating that the FDA hasn’t approved the technology they use. My next deep dive is going to be a ‘follow the money’ to figure out why our only options are still zinc oxide or potential hormone disrupters
of course they can patent peptides
@MMAoracleNo, you can not. You can heavily modify a peptide, like they did with GLP or patent the deliver method, but you can not patent an unmodified peptide. Been this way since a 2013 Supreme court ruling.
Fda lol
A lot of the research money comes from government grants and donations. The profit is beyond ethical. Pharmaceuticals are so corrupt in the USA. Compare the costs with the rest of the world. They get a way with gouging the Americans. Why do you think so many order outside the US.
Hmmm….well I’m 71 with a knee that gives me trouble now and then. Been using BPC-157 for 12 days and have been very pleased with my progress. I’ve always been a skeptic but I have no problem jumping on the bandwagon after thousands or more are reporting positive feedback. Big Pharma can’t wait to jump in and take it all away by charging us $$$$$. Most peptides are getting ready to be approved. I’ll happily get mine now while I can.
Retatrutide
Cagrillitide
BPC-157
Having great results and feel positive.
It’s a choice.
As much as I appreciate your feedback doctor, you are the first physician that has poopoo’d the peptide’s. I would rather listen and learn from those that are actually using them and have been for a long time.
Peptides are the new and upcoming medicine! You know that.
How much BPC 157 Do you take?
Been on crutches 2 months now, miss my mobility.
There are plenty of physicians who speak out against peptides. They may or may not have alterior motives, however. The Russians apparently spearheaded much peptide development along with significant human research, which isn’t available to us. The incredible success of GLP-1’s is a good indicator that peptides do indeed work. The FDA has zero credibility, particularly after they forced everyone to inject a far more and dangerous and risky vaccine, and is only interested in serving the pharmaceutical industry, so their approval is effectively meaningless regarding safety. Dosing and quality are real issues however, and crowd sourcing advice is the only alternative folks have today.
@rprevolv🎯🎯🎯
GHK Cu healed my stomach enough only after 3 weeks that I was able to drink regular coffee everyday again. From 2016 to December 2025, I was drinking an acid-free coffee that tasted blehh and only enjoyed one cup of Starbucks every 2 weeks. I’m a believer. It obviously works.
What kind of stomach issues did you have?
@bktrinity1- H. pylori and candida pretty much destroyed my stomach lining. Tried all the recommendations for years – zinc carnosine, glutamine etc. but nothing worked. Maybe a little improvement. I would take DGL licorice supplements to coat my stomach and put some baking soda in my coffee to reduce the acidity every time I go to Starbucks. I would still throw up. I took GHK for a aesthetic reasons but was pleasantly surprised about the improvement in my stomach. I noticed that my stomach was better totally by accident when I drank a cup of coffee five days straight while on an overseas vacation. I eventually threw up on the fifth day but I was wondering how I lasted that long before throwing. Before that, if I drank a cup of regular coffee and drank another one week later, I would surely throw up. Now, 5 months after I started using GHK, I am now drinking coffee everyday, and I can’t be happier.
How did you take it? And where do I get it.
Had to switch to organic coffee 17$ a pound! 😡
I’ve been taking ghkcu for approximately a year and it’s amazing. My hair is longer than it’s ever been and my nails are very strong. Being FDA approved isnt important to me.
where do you get it from
Was ur hair thinning?
@sebarioxes The Ordinary has a multi peptide serum that has copper peptides
@sebarioxes i m a Chinese vendor , i recommend myself
Love it ! Great peptide for so many things .
GHK-cu 100mg made my skin and hair super nice in just a matter of 1 month. I am on my 2nd month and loving it.
An injectable?
Is it daily and how much did you start off with?
Where do you inject ? And 3 times a week?
Yeah, I’d like to know your answers to these questions
Where do you get it from
It definitely works. “The research” is clear. People are resolving chronic issues and sharing solid results. Bpc 157 resolved gut issues noticably and by proxy resolved ibs. When a compound is not profitable it doesn’t get studies.
FDA approved Accutane, which is now obviously poison. FDA has zero credibility
💯
Being FDA approved, is not a very BIG flex these days…
Truth
@RobertHolyoakeNeither is not knowing safety and efficacy, in like manner.
preach
100% correct
Truth!
I use this peptide and yes I’m not a mouse but noticed that it did improve my brain reducing anxiety improved my sleep and helped to improve my skin firmness after 6 weeks
Where do you buy it
@Gina-f7yI use a longevity specialist and am under physician care for peptide and hrt supplements
@Gina-f7ysimple peptide is one place
thanks for sharing! I value your testimony 1000 times over FDA approval
@Gina-f7y Hey Gina this is not a question we use in the peptide space. Research is king.
I’m about to buy some just because she’s fear mongering
oh man you peptide bros are so stupid but it is your health lol, but I bet you were against the covid vaccine right?
😂😂
im not waiting 20 years and certainly not paying $1500/month when i can get a 10 month treatment of retatrutide for $150.
where?
@Bec520China
Yes, pls share where!
Where is it? Talk! (Batman voice)
I buy from UK, Mesage me i will walk you through.
I’ve been taking it GHK-cu morning and evening 1.5 mg for the past 5 months and noticed 25% thicker hair, thicker stronger nails, brain fog going bye bye. I love the results. To eliminate the copper sting I pull 2-3 mg of additional BAC water to dilute it to turn it light blue and no more sting
Got rid of decades old stretch marks for me. Love this stuff.
Did you inject or use topically?
Really?? How long did you use it for?
What??? Tell me more!
@findingfluencyprobably injections.
Yet my skin has honestly seen a huge improvement
what are you using?