PinnyPeptide

GHK-Cu vs TB-500 Fragment 17-23

Side-by-side comparison: effects, dosing ranges, side effects, regulatory status, and reconstitution.

Peptide A

GHK-Cu

Cosmetic

Copper-binding tripeptide with potent wound-healing, skin-remodeling, and gene-regulatory properties.

Peptide B

TB-500 Fragment 17-23

Healing & Recovery

The 7-amino-acid active fragment of TB-500, isolated for cell-migration effects.

Typical vial

50 mg

Typical dose

200-500 mcg

Half-life

~30-60 minutes (plasma)

FDA status

Not FDA approved as a drug. Widely used as a cosmetic ingred…

Typical vial

10 mg

Typical dose

2000-5000 mcg

Half-life

Estimated minutes to a few hours (much shorter than full TB-500 due to lack of N/C-terminal protection)

FDA status

Not FDA approved for any human or veterinary use. No clinica…

GHK-Cu effects

  • Stimulates collagen and elastin synthesis for skin rejuvenation
  • Promotes wound healing and tissue remodeling
  • Enhances angiogenesis and blood vessel formation
  • Modulates expression of over 4,000 genes involved in tissue repair
  • Provides antioxidant defense via superoxide dismutase activation
  • Reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and photodamage

TB-500 Fragment 17-23 effects

  • Binds G-actin and modulates actin polymerization
  • In vitro promotion of keratinocyte and endothelial cell migration
  • Pro-angiogenic activity in cell-based assays
  • Pro-healing effects on cultured fibroblasts
  • Anti-inflammatory effects (limited to in vitro evidence)
  • Potentially shared but reduced systemic activity vs full TB-500

GHK-Cu side effects

  • Mild skin irritation with topical use (uncommon)
  • Injection site discomfort with subcutaneous administration
  • Uncommon metallic taste
  • Rare contact sensitivity in predisposed individuals

TB-500 Fragment 17-23 side effects

  • Injection site irritation or redness
  • Lethargy (anecdotal, mechanism unclear)
  • Mild flu-like symptoms at higher doses (rare)
  • Headache
  • Unknown long-term effects — no human safety data

GHK-Cu dosing ranges

Skin rejuvenation (topical)

1-2% concentration · Once or twice daily · Ongoing

Systemic tissue support (SubQ)

200-500 mcg · Once daily · 4-6 weeks

Wound healing support (SubQ)

200-500 mcg · Once daily near wound site · 2-4 weeks

TB-500 Fragment 17-23 dosing ranges

Injury recovery (extrapolated)

2-5 mg · Twice weekly SubQ · 4-6 weeks

Tendon/ligament support (extrapolated)

2-5 mg · Twice weekly SubQ · 4-8 weeks

Loading phase (anecdotal)

5 mg · Twice weekly for 2-3 weeks · Then maintenance

Full GHK-Cu guide → Full TB-500 Fragment 17-23 guide →

GHK-Cu vs TB-500 Fragment 17-23 — common questions

What is the difference between GHK-Cu and TB-500 Fragment 17-23?

GHK-Cu: Copper-binding tripeptide with potent wound-healing, skin-remodeling, and gene-regulatory properties. Typical dose 200-500 mcg. TB-500 Fragment 17-23: The 7-amino-acid active fragment of TB-500, isolated for cell-migration effects. Typical dose 2000-5000 mcg. Both fall under the Cosmetic and Healing & Recovery categories.

Can you stack GHK-Cu and TB-500 Fragment 17-23?

Stacking GHK-Cu with TB-500 Fragment 17-23 is a protocol-design question best raised with a clinician — it depends on your goal, current bloodwork, and whether both peptides target overlapping mechanisms. Both peptides should be tracked independently with separate injection sites and timing. PinnyPeptide supports multi-peptide stacks with automatic injection site rotation.

Which is dosed more frequently, GHK-Cu or TB-500 Fragment 17-23?

GHK-Cu is typically dosed: Once or twice daily for Skin rejuvenation (topical); Once daily for Systemic tissue support (SubQ); Once daily near wound site for Wound healing support (SubQ). TB-500 Fragment 17-23 is typically dosed: Twice weekly SubQ for Injury recovery (extrapolated); Twice weekly SubQ for Tendon/ligament support (extrapolated); Twice weekly for 2-3 weeks for Loading phase (anecdotal).

Are GHK-Cu and TB-500 Fragment 17-23 FDA approved?

GHK-Cu: Not FDA approved as a drug. Widely used as a cosmetic ingredient without requiring drug approval for topical formulations. TB-500 Fragment 17-23: Not FDA approved for any human or veterinary use. No clinical trials have been conducted on this specific fragment.

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