Search for peptides for hair growth and you will find scalp serums, supplements and injectable vials all making the same promise. They are three very different things in Canada. Here is how a pharmacist sorts them.
Peptides for hair growth: the short version
- Hair growth peptides in scalp serums are cosmetics. They can improve how hair looks and feels. They may not claim to regrow hair.
- Licensed hair-regrowth products exist in Canada. Topical minoxidil is a non-prescription drug with a DIN, and there are prescription options a clinician can discuss.
- Injectable “hair peptides” sold online are not authorized drugs.
Which peptides are used in hair products?
| Ingredient (INCI) | Also known as | What the evidence looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Copper Tripeptide-1 | GHK-Cu, copper peptides | Laboratory studies and small cosmetic studies. No large trials showing regrowth. |
| Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1 | Often paired with apigenin and oleanolic acid | Small manufacturer-sponsored studies on hair anchoring and fullness. |
| Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 | Often paired with red clover extract | Small studies on hair density appearance. |
| Hydrolyzed keratin and collagen peptides | In shampoos and masks | Coat and condition the hair shaft. No effect on the follicle. |
Our copper peptides guide covers GHK-Cu in more detail.
Copper peptide hair growth claims: a fair reading
Copper peptides are interesting to researchers because of how they behave in cell and animal studies of the hair follicle. That is not the same as proof in people. If you like a copper peptide scalp serum, use it as a cosmetic for scalp comfort and hair appearance, and keep your expectations there.
What is licensed for hair regrowth in Canada
Topical minoxidil, sold without a prescription and carrying a DIN, is authorized for hereditary hair thinning in adults. It has to be used every day and stops working when you stop. Prescription treatments also exist and suit some people and not others. A pharmacist can tell you whether the non-prescription option is appropriate for you; a clinician can assess the rest.
See a clinician first if
- your hair loss is sudden, patchy or comes with scalp pain, redness or scaling;
- you are losing hair after starting a new medication, an illness or childbirth;
- you are under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding;
- you also have fatigue, weight change or irregular periods, which can point to a thyroid, iron or hormonal cause.
Hair thinning has many causes, and the right first step is often a blood test, not a serum. You can start an online consultation or ask a pharmacist.
How to use a peptide scalp serum
- Apply to a clean, dry or towel-dried scalp, directly on the skin, not the hair lengths.
- Massage in for a minute and do not rinse.
- Use daily or as directed, and assess after three to four months.
- Stop if you notice itching, burning or flaking.
Do collagen peptides help hair?
Collagen peptides supply amino acids, and adequate protein matters for hair. There is no good evidence that collagen supplements regrow hair. See collagen peptides for what the trials do show.
Do peptides really help hair growth?
Peptide scalp serums can improve the look and feel of hair. Regrowth has not been established in large trials, and in Canada a cosmetic may not claim it.
What is the best peptide for hair growth?
Copper Tripeptide-1 and Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1 are the most used in scalp serums. None has evidence comparable to licensed hair-regrowth treatments.
Can I use copper peptides with minoxidil?
Some people do, at different times of day. Ask a pharmacist first, because minoxidil is a drug with its own directions and precautions.
Are hair growth peptide injections legal in Canada?
Injectable peptides sold online for hair are not authorized drugs in Canada. See our guide to peptides in Canada.
Reviewed by our pharmacist-in-charge. Cosmetics are not intended to treat or prevent any disease. This page is general information, not medical advice.