Peptide therapy with NL-GHK-Cu in eliminating hair loss and weakening

NL-GHK-Cu peptide therapy, as a modern therapeutic approach, can halt or substantially alleviate hair loss and hair weakening of various etiologies.

Abstract

The problem of alopecia, excessive hair shedding, and marked hair weakening affects a substantial proportion of both women and men. Alongside currently available procedures and solutions, NL-GHK-Cu peptide therapy represents a modern method that may help mitigate these conditions. As demonstrated in research, regular use of peptide-based interventions can lead to a significant improvement in hair quality and overall condition.

Keywords: NL-GHK-Cu; hair; hair structure; hair physiology; hair growth; anagen; catagen; telogen; causes of hair loss; role of hair; NL-GHK-Cu peptide therapy

Introduction

Hair follicles develop during fetal life and, as is well known, begin functioning intensively soon thereafter, ultimately covering the scalp within the first several months of life. Excessive hair loss or alopecia is a significant problem affecting men and women across different age groups, and its severity is influenced not only by genetics but also by lifestyle factors. Hair shedding and alopecia may occur as early as adolescence, but most commonly affect middle-aged and older individuals. Modern peptide therapy using NL-GHK-Cu may help reduce or alleviate the above-mentioned conditions.

HAIR STRUCTURE AND PHYSIOLOGY

In general terms, a hair is a filamentous, keratinized, specialized appendage of the epidermis. Hair occurs exclusively in mammals and covers the surface of their skin. It is composed primarily of protein—specifically hard, cohesive keratin—which constitutes approximately 65% to 95% of the hair shaft. The most important amino acid in hair keratin is cysteine. Cysteine contains a thiol group that enables the formation of sulfur (disulfide) bridges. The number and arrangement of these disulfide bonds determine hair shape, contributing to curl formation or, conversely, to a straight hair phenotype.

The hair root is embedded obliquely within the skin. It is attached to the arrector pili muscle, which responds to stimuli such as cold or fear by contracting and causing the hair to stand erect. Directly above this muscle are the sebaceous glands. Their ducts open into the hair follicle near the epidermis, between the hair shaft and the follicular wall. The secretion of the sebaceous glands—commonly referred to as sebum—reaches the hair and scalp surface via the follicle and helps regulate the skin and hair water–lipid balance. Depending on the amount of sebum produced, hair becomes oily more quickly or more slowly. Sebaceous glands are holocrine glands, meaning they release their contents through the disintegration of their own cells in a discontinuous manner.

A hair is typically shed after 2–6 years, and a new hair subsequently grows from the same follicle. The average person, with approximately 100,000 hairs on the scalp, loses about 300 hairs per day—an entirely physiological manifestation of normal hair cycling and replacement.

HAIR GROWTH

A genetically programmed hair follicle is capable of producing approximately 20–30 hairs over the course of an individual’s lifetime. Each hair grows for several years and then sheds, allowing a subsequent hair to emerge. In humans—unlike in many animals—hair growth cycles are not synchronized, which is why humans do not undergo seasonal shedding.

The hair growth cycle consists of three primary phases:

1. Anagen (growth phase): lasts approximately 3–6 years. In women, this phase is typically longer than in men, which generally allows for longer hair growth. In eyebrows and eyelashes, anagen lasts only 1–2 months, which is why they do not grow long.
2. Catagen (transition phase): a short phase lasting about 1–2 weeks. During this period, the follicle shrinks and the dermal papilla decreases in size.
3. Telogen (resting phase): lasts approximately 2–4 months. In this phase, the hair separates completely from the dermal papilla and is shed as it is “pushed out” by the newly growing anagen hair. Telogen hairs are dead (including the root), metabolically inactive, and insensitive to toxic factors.

Hair cycling is governed by a complex control system and may be inhibited or disrupted at any stage by numerous factors.

In addition, hair is supplied with growth-supporting substances through a capillary network that nourishes the hair bulb. This is essentially the primary route of hair nutrition, as the skin and follicular walls are impermeable to most chemical compounds. The rate of hair growth and its condition depend substantially on the functioning of blood vessels that deliver nutrients; therefore, many agents intended to stimulate hair growth act indirectly by improving scalp perfusion.

ROLE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF HAIR

Human hair primarily protects against solar radiation, mechanical injury, cold exposure, and insects. Hair shafts distribute sebum and sweat from apocrine glands, whose openings are located within hair follicles. Hair also serves as a subtle sensory organ (e.g., for touch). Importantly, hair has a strong aesthetic and identity-related function. Although the biological role of hair may appear relatively limited, hair loss—regardless of sex or age—is associated with considerable discomfort and represents not only an aesthetic concern but also a psychological burden.

CAUSES OF HAIR LOSS AND WEAKENING

Hair loss may be triggered by many conditions that are not directly related to the hair itself. The most common systemic contributors include:

A. Hormonal disorders
Hormonal factors account for approximately 90% of hair loss cases in men and women. In men, testosterone is metabolized in the hair follicle by 5α-reductase into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which induces follicular miniaturization and, ultimately, follicle involution leading to hair loss. In women, hair thinning and loss may occur when certain follicles exhibit increased sensitivity to androgens due to hormonal dysregulation. Hormonal influences may also contribute to postpartum hair shedding.

B. Chronic systemic diseases (e.g., diabetes, liver disease)
C. Autoimmune diseases (e.g., Hashimoto’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis)
D. Infectious diseases (e.g., syphilis)
E. Diseases accompanied by high fever (e.g., influenza, pneumonia)
F. Psychiatric disorders (e.g., trichotillomania)

Drug-induced hair loss

Medications most commonly associated with hair problems include hormonal agents, anti-atherosclerotic drugs, cardiac medications, anticoagulants, anti-psoriatic and anti-acne agents, antifungals, antivirals, anticancer drugs, and antidepressants.

Stress

Chronic or acute stress may significantly exacerbate hair shedding.

Improper hair care

Inappropriate hair care may lead to marked thinning, including frequent aggressive hairdressing procedures such as perming, dyeing, straightening, or curling.

Poisoning

Heavy metal poisoning (e.g., mercury, thallium—characteristic pigment deposits in anagen hair—and lead) may contribute to hair loss.

Diet

A low-protein diet may result in insufficient follicular nutrition. Similarly, iron or zinc deficiency can produce comparable effects. Excessive hair loss is therefore often observed in individuals with bulimia or anorexia.

In any case of excessive hair loss, the fundamental first step is a detailed medical history (subjective assessment). Key elements include: duration of shedding or thinning; typical number of hairs lost per day; family history (siblings, parents, grandparents); potential triggering events (illness, surgery, anesthesia, initiation of pharmacotherapy, stress, pregnancy, etc.); medication use; comorbidities; dietary patterns (vegetarianism/veganism), dieting and weight-loss attempts; menstrual regularity and bleeding intensity in women; and prior investigations, specialist consultations, and treatments.

In men, careful history, physical examination, and trichoscopy are often sufficient to establish diagnosis and initiate management. In women, additional laboratory diagnostics are typically required in more suspicious cases. Any supplementary test results should be interpreted strictly in the context of the clinical picture (history and physical findings).

NL-GHK-Cu PEPTIDE THERAPY IN EXCESSIVE HAIR LOSS AND HAIR WEAKENING

According to research, NL-GHK-Cu constitutes an important component of therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing hair loss. When deficiencies of certain factors are present, dietary modification or intensification alone may be insufficient; therefore, appropriately dosed and regularly administered peptide therapy may help reduce hair shedding, strengthen hair structure, and support prevention of alopecia.

Experimental evidence indicates that the copper–tripeptide complex influences hair growth through multiple mechanisms, including stimulation of dermal fibroblasts and increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). It has also been shown to reduce secretion of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) by dermal fibroblasts. Moreover, it decreases the number of apoptotic dermal papilla cells, demonstrating an increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio and reduced levels of cleaved caspase-3. NL-GHK-Cu may therefore be considered a safe and complementary option in the management of alopecia and excessive hair loss.

References

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2. Dorin RJ. Prevention of hair aging processes. Chemia i Biznes. Rynek Kosmetyczny i Chemii Gospodarczej. 2014;2:197.
3. Kozłowska U, Kozłowska A. Pathophysiology of hair growth and hair loss. Przegląd Dermatologiczny. 2001;88:19–25.