GHK-Cu vs Finasteride For Hair Loss

Hair loss can steal your self-confidence and leave you desperate for answers - two of which could be GHK-Cu vs Finasteride. We’re going to compare and contrast them side by side below to help show you which you should go with, if either, or if you should maybe use both. 

Fast Facts on Finasteride and GHK-Cu

• Finasteride is an FDA-approved prescription hair loss treatment that reduces DHT, the hormone linked to pattern hair loss.
• GHK-Cu is a copper peptide is a naturally occurring peptide that supports hair follicle health through tissue repair and collagen signaling.
• Finasteride has well-established side effects (a harsh initial shedding phase and sexual dysfunction), whereas GHK-Cu is generally regarded as mild.
• A lot of people use GHK-Cu and Finasteride together since they work so differently.
• PLU Laboratories makes the best copper peptide hair serum with 1% GHK-Cu and 1% Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3.

What Does GHK-Cu Do For Hair?

Not many people realize just how powerful GHK-Cu can be for hair loss. Most of the benefits people hear about are specific to the skin. But this small peptide has hair growth potential, too.

GHK-Cu naturally occurs in the blood, but levels start to decline the older you get - which could be partly why hair gets thinner with age. The peptide is a signaling molecule that essentially tells cells to do what they already know how to do - repair tissue, make more collagen, and activate the antioxidant defense system.

So what does the GHK-Cu hair growth research show? Most of what makes this copper peptide intriguing for hair health is how it stimulates the follicle environment. One study found that it was able to promote follicle cell growth and reduce cell death markers, helping keep more follicles alive and actively growing hair.¹

The best part is that GHK-Cu doesn’t do anything weird with your hormones. It merely creates the ideal conditions for healthy hair growth to occur. You don’t need a prescription for it, and it won’t cause any adverse side effects. It’s the more accessible hair loss treatment in this GHK-Cu vs Finasteride comparison.

What Does Finasteride Do For Hair?

Finasteride has been used for hair loss for decades. You may know it by its brand name Propecia (1mg), or by the brands that sell it (Hims/Hers, Keeps, etc.). 

The drug works the same way regardless. It’s a daily pill that blocks the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT. The reason that matters is that DHT is the hormone that causes hair loss in so many individuals, especially men. DHT shrinks hair follicles and slowly but surely causes hair thinning, until hair follicles stop producing strands altogether. It’s been said that Finasteride can cut DHT levels by as much as 70%.²

Interestingly enough, Finasteride was first developed for enlarged prostate. But after noticing how it caused hair growth as a side effect, the drug was reformulated for this purpose. It has been FDA-approved for hair loss since 1997.

It certainly works. The trials that garnered FDA approval showed that 83% of men on Finasteride kept their hair over a two-year span, and many even grew more hair during that timeframe.³ But those same trials showed some troublesome side effects:

• Decreased libido (1.8% of users)
• Erectile dysfunction (1.3% of users)
• Decreased ejaculate volume (0.8% of users) 

It generally takes 3-6 months of daily use before visible results start to show up. You’ll first encounter an aggressive shedding phase, which can turn a lot of people off. The rebound hair loss is another reason people are hesitant to try Finasteride. Any hair you regrow will fall out when you stop using the drug. 

GHK-Cu vs Finasteride For Hair Loss: Key Differences to Know

The biggest difference between GHK-Cu vs Finasteride for hair loss is how the two solutions work and what they cost you. Here’s a side-by-side comparison: 

The best way to narrow it down between GHK-Cu vs Finasteride is to figure out what’s causing your hair loss. If it’s DHT, then there’s certainly reason to consider Finasteride. But if you’d rather avoid any sort of hormonal or systemic side effects, GHK-Cu may be a gentler alternative.

Finasteride is often taken orally, although there are topical solutions out on the market these days. GHK-Cu is generally applied topically for best results, but compounding pharmacies may prescribe injections - we do not recommend these. Topical is the best approach.

Can You Combine GHK-Cu and Finasteride?

Nobody said you had to choose between GHK-Cu vs Finasteride. You can use them in the same routine for the best of both worlds! This targets hair loss from multiple angles. There are no known interactions between the two treatments, either, so you’re not going to be causing more harm than good or amplifying side effects.

It’s as simple as applying a GHK-Cu serum to your scalp on a daily basis while taking a daily Finasteride pill. A lot of people also choose to combine copper peptides with Minoxidil, the other really popular prescription hair loss drug. We have a separate comparison of AHK-Cu vs minoxidil if you want to learn more about that.

Tips on Getting Started With GHK-Cu For Hair Loss

It’s so easy to incorporate GHK-Cu into your haircare regimen. What you need to do first is get the best copper peptide serum, and for that, you can look no further than PLU Laboratories. Our copper peptide serum combines 1% GHK-Cu and 1% Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 with no other fluff or filler ingredients. It’s one of the most transparent formulas on the market, backed by clinical endorsements and tons of real user reviews.

Simply apply 2-3 drops of GHK-Cu to the scalp, especially at your trouble areas (the crown, hairline, etc.) and massage it in to stimulate blood flow and maximize absorption. Do this every day, twice a day, for 3-6 months. You’ll be amazed at the transformation!

Bottom Line on GHK-Cu vs Finasteride For Hair Loss

We hope this quick review of GHK-Cu vs Finasteride for hair loss has left you feeling clear and confident about the role each plays in stopping shedding and encouraging new growth. They work very differently, and in some ways, they’re quite complementary to one another.

But if you’d rather avoid the question marks associated with prescription drugs and try something more natural and gentle, GHK-Cu is a great next step. Get your first bottle today at PLU Laboratories and jumpstart your hair growth journey.

References

1. Pyo HK, Yoo HG, et al. "The effect of tripeptide-copper complex on human hair growth in vitro." Archives of Pharmacal Research. 2007;30(7):834-839. PubMed
2. Trachy RE, et al. "The hair follicle-stimulating properties of peptide copper complexes." Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1991;642:468-469. PubMed
3. Propecia (finasteride) prescribing information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.