SoftMaxx AI sells no peptides and takes no vendor money.
No supporting study We found no study of KLOW in people, animals or cells. For two of its four ingredients, TB-500 and KPV, FDA found no human exposure data.[1][2]
The tier describes the evidence for the KLOW blend's effect on skin; stronger evidence on this page concerns single ingredients in animals and one FDA adverse-event report.
The verdict
KLOW is a blend of GHK-Cu (a copper peptide), BPC-157, TB-500 and KPV, as sellers describe it; we found no regulator, label or study that defines it.
We found no study of the mixture. BPC-157 and TB-500 are not components of any FDA-approved drug [3] [2], and we found no FDA approval of injectable GHK-Cu or KPV. Most of their evidence comes from animals or lab dishes [4] [5] [1]. As sellers describe them, KLOW is GLOW with KPV added; see the GLOW page for the shared parts.
- Claim as marketed
GLOW and KLOW are tested skin injections
No supporting study We found no published study of the GLOW or KLOW blends in people, animals or cells. For one shared ingredient, TB-500, FDA found no human exposure data.[2] - Regulator document FDA found no human exposure data for TB-500 or KPV.[1][2]
Claim vs evidence
| Claim | What exists | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Better skin, collagen, "glow" | We found no blend study and no controlled skin trial of injected GHK-Cu | None |
| Faster wound and scar closure | A mouse burn study of BPC-157 cream and a rat wound-chamber study of GHK-Cu | Animal [6] [7] |
| Tendon and injury recovery | One rat tendon study; the pair gave no added benefit over either alone | Animal [8] |
| Calmer gut and skin inflammation (KPV) | Mouse colitis and skin-cell studies | Animal / cell [9] [10] |
The strongest rows are animal data; we found no human evidence for these uses.
- Animal In burned mice, wounds closed better with BPC-157 cream. GHK-Cu increased collagen and connective tissue in rat wound chambers.[6][7]
- Animal In a rat study combining BPC-157 and TB-500 after tendon surgery (32 rats, 8 per group), the pair gave no added benefit over either alone.[8]
- Animal Full-length thymosin beta-4, a 43-amino-acid protein, stimulated hair growth in rats and mice. That study did not test the TB-500 fragment.[11]
Ingredient by ingredient
GHK-Cu. Real lab data and thin human data from studies on the skin [5]. For injected GHK-Cu, FDA says human data are limited [1].
BPC-157. FDA's July 2026 briefing lists five small, short clinical studies, two of them placebo-controlled; none tested skin [3].
TB-500. A 7-amino-acid fragment (LKKTETQ) of thymosin beta-4 [1]. FDA found no human exposure data for it [1].
KPV. A 3-amino-acid fragment (lysine-proline-valine) of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) [12]. The evidence we found is mouse colitis, cell and excised-skin studies [9][10][12].
- Expert review A 2026 systematic review calls GHK-Cu clinical evidence sparse, including a 13-person study after laser that was negative on objective endpoints.[5]
- Expert review A 2025 systematic review counted 35 preclinical studies of BPC-157 and 1 clinical study, and found no clinical safety data.[4]
- Regulator document FDA's July 2026 briefing found no clinical studies, human exposure data or human pharmacokinetic data for TB-500, and its adverse-event database search returned no reports.[2]
- Animal KPV reduced colitis in mice when given in drinking water. FDA found no human exposure data for KPV.[9][1]
KPV: what the fourth ingredient adds
We found no human trial of KPV for skin or gut conditions, and FDA found no human exposure data for KPV [1].
The psoriasis study we found tested KdPT, a different tripeptide [13]. In a lab test on excised human skin, KPV passing through on its own was below the study's detection limit [12].
- In vitro (cells) KPV skin evidence is cell work in keratinocytes and a 3D skin model. We found no human dermatology trial.[14][10]
- Animal Psoriasis results in mice and in human skin grafted onto mice are for KdPT, a different tripeptide.[13]
- In vitro (cells) In excised human skin, KPV passing through on its own stayed below the study's detection limit. Microneedles raised delivery, and an electric current on top raised it further.[12]
The skin-darkening report
Of the three reports FDA found for BPC-157 in its adverse-event database (FAERS), one involved a product with both BPC-157 and TB-500 [3]. Skin and gums darkened, then darkened again when the person restarted.
Which ingredient caused it is unknown. It is the one skin outcome in a person that we found for this pair.
- Case report FDA describes diffuse skin darkening and gum darkening after an injected BPC-157 plus TB-500 product, reproduced on rechallenge.[3]
Risks
We found no study of whether these peptides stay stable when mixed with GHK-Cu, or of how much copper an injection delivers.
- Regulator document FDA flags possible immune reactions for injectable GHK-Cu, citing aggregation and peptide-related impurities, and for TB-500 by certain routes, also citing aggregation and impurities. For BPC-157 it lists two separate concerns: possible immune reactions by certain routes, and complexities with peptide-related impurities and characterizing the ingredient.[1]
- Expert review GHK-Cu's chemical form depends on the formulation. We found no study of it mixed with other peptides.[5]
- Expert review Reviews of gray-market peptides report uncertain identity, purity, potency and sterility, and inaccurate dosing.[15][16]
- Expert review A 2026 review lists pathological angiogenesis and carcinogenesis among the potential risks of unapproved peptides such as BPC-157 and TB-500, and a lab and rat study found that BPC-157 promotes blood-vessel growth.[16][17]
Before-and-after photos
We found no study of the KLOW blend, so we found no trial before-and-after images.
Regulatory status
Injectable GHK-Cu, BPC-157, TB-500 and KPV left FDA's compounding Category 2 because their nominators withdrew them; FDA's page listing them as withdrawn is dated 2026-04-22 [1]. None of these injectable forms appears in FDA's 503A category lists updated 2026-05-14, and that is not an approval [18].
FDA's advisory committee calendar lists a July 23, 2026 meeting of its compounding advisory committee to discuss BPC-157, TB-500 and KPV for the 503A bulks list, the list of substances pharmacies may compound from [19]. Its advice does not bind FDA, and we found no proposed rule as of 2026-09-30.
- Regulator document FDA keeps its safety concerns posted for the peptides whose compounding nominations were withdrawn.[1]
- Regulator document FDA's advisory committee calendar lists a July 23, 2026 meeting of its compounding advisory committee to discuss BPC-157, TB-500 and KPV for inclusion on the 503A bulks list. The committee advises FDA; it does not change the law.[19]
Doses used in studies (not a recommendation)
These are the amounts given to the people, animals or cells in the cited studies, copied as reported. They are a record of what was tested, not dosing instructions, and nothing here says what you should take.
| Studied in | Route | Amount reported | How often | How long | n | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rat | intraperitoneal | BPC-157 10 µg/kg/day; TB-500 60 µg/kg/day; combined-arm doses not stated in the abstract | daily | 4 weeks | 32 | [8] Rats after Achilles tendon surgery: 4 groups of 8 (control, BPC-157, TB-500, both). Two ingredients only; not a human dose. |
Side effects and risks
- Case report Diffuse skin and gum darkening, reproduced on rechallenge (one of three FDA adverse-event reports for BPC-157; that product also contained TB-500)[3]
- Regulator document Possible immune reactions linked to aggregation or impurities (flagged by FDA)[1]
- Expert review Copper exposure from injected GHK-Cu blends: we found no measurement, and a 2026 review says free-copper release is usually not resolved in GHK-Cu formulation studies[5]
- Expert review Uncertain identity, purity, potency and sterility of gray-market peptide products[15]
Regulatory status (checked 2026-09-30)
- United States (FDA)We found no FDA-approved product containing GHK-Cu in Drugs@FDA (searched 2026-10-01). (FDA:
Drugs@FDA search: ghk-cu — no approved product found
) FDA removed GHK-Cu (injectable routes) from 503A Category 2 on 2026-04-22 after the nominations were withdrawn; FDA’s safety page still lists it under “Bulk drug substances nominated but withdrawn”. (FDA:Bulk Drug Substances Nominated for Use in Compounding Under Section 503A of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
; FDA:Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks
) We found no FDA-approved product containing BPC-157 in Drugs@FDA (searched 2026-10-01). (FDA:Drugs@FDA search: bpc-157 — no approved product found
) FDA removed BPC-157 from 503A Category 2 on 2026-04-22 after the nominations were withdrawn; FDA’s safety page still lists it under “Bulk drug substances nominated but withdrawn”. (FDA:Bulk Drug Substances Nominated for Use in Compounding Under Section 503A of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
; FDA:Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks
) We found no FDA-approved product containing TB-500 in Drugs@FDA (searched 2026-10-01). (FDA:Drugs@FDA search: tb-500 — no approved product found
) FDA removed Thymosin beta-4 fragment (LKKTETQ), 'TB-500' from 503A Category 2 on 2026-04-22 after the nominations were withdrawn; FDA’s safety page still lists it under “Bulk drug substances nominated but withdrawn”. (FDA:Bulk Drug Substances Nominated for Use in Compounding Under Section 503A of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
; FDA:Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks
) We found no FDA-approved product containing KPV in Drugs@FDA (searched 2026-10-01). (FDA:Drugs@FDA search: kpv — no approved product found
) FDA removed KPV from 503A Category 2 on 2026-04-22 after the nominations were withdrawn; FDA’s safety page still lists it under “Bulk drug substances nominated but withdrawn”. (FDA:Bulk Drug Substances Nominated for Use in Compounding Under Section 503A of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
; FDA:Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks
) - CanadaWe found no product containing GHK-Cu in Health Canada’s Drug Product Database (searched 2026-10-01). (Health Canada:
Health Canada Drug Product Database search: ghk-cu — no product found
) We found no product containing BPC-157 in Health Canada’s Drug Product Database (searched 2026-10-01). (Health Canada:Health Canada Drug Product Database search: bpc-157 — no product found
) We found no product containing TB-500 in Health Canada’s Drug Product Database (searched 2026-10-01). (Health Canada:Health Canada Drug Product Database search: tb-500 — no product found
) We found no product containing KPV in Health Canada’s Drug Product Database (searched 2026-10-01). (Health Canada:Health Canada Drug Product Database search: kpv — no product found
) - Sport (WADA)WADA’s Prohibited List does not name GHK-Cu. WADA states that topical cosmetic products may contain prohibited peptides or growth factors and that using cosmetic products containing such substances is prohibited; we found no WADA statement on whether GHK-Cu is one of them. (WADA:
World Anti-Doping Code International Standard Prohibited List 2026
; WADA:World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List
) BPC-157 is named on the 2026 WADA Prohibited List (S0). (WADA:World Anti-Doping Code International Standard Prohibited List 2026
) TB-500 is named on the 2026 WADA Prohibited List (S2.3). (WADA:World Anti-Doping Code International Standard Prohibited List 2026
) KPV is not named on the 2026 WADA Prohibited List; by our reading it falls under S0, non-approved substances. (WADA:World Anti-Doping Code International Standard Prohibited List 2026
)
Report a side effect
If something went wrong after using any product, tell a clinician and report it. Reports are how regulators find contaminated or mislabeled products.
- FDA MedWatch (United States)
- Canada Vigilance Program (Canada)
Common questions
What is the KLOW peptide blend?
A blend of GHK-Cu (a copper peptide), BPC-157, TB-500 and KPV, as sellers describe it; we found no regulator, label or study that defines it. We found no published study of the blend. FDA's safety page lists all four: it cites possible immune reactions for injectable GHK-Cu and, by certain routes, for BPC-157 and TB-500, and it found no human exposure data for KPV.[1]
Does the KLOW peptide actually work for skin?
We found no study that answers this, and none of the blend itself; for injected GHK-Cu, FDA says human data are limited; and for TB-500, FDA found no human exposure data.[1][2]
Can GLOW or KLOW cause skin darkening?
One of the three FDA adverse-event reports for BPC-157 involved a product that also contained TB-500; it described diffuse skin and gum darkening that returned on restarting. Which ingredient caused it is unknown.[3]
Is it safe to inject GHK-Cu every day?
FDA says there are limited data in humans to inform the safety of injected GHK-Cu, and it flags possible immune reactions from aggregation and peptide-related impurities.[1]
References
Every reference below was matched to its PubMed or DOI record (title checked) before publication. "Verified" means the paper exists and is the one named; what it supports is stated next to each claim.
Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks
SourceJuly 23-24, 2026, Meeting of the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee – FDA Briefing Document for TB-500-Related Bulk Drug Substances (TB-500 (free base) and TB-500 acetate)
SourceJuly 23-24, 2026, Meeting of the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee – FDA Briefing Document for BPC-157-Related Bulk Drug Substances (BPC-157 (free base) and BPC-157 acetate)
SourceEmerging Use of BPC-157 in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine: A Systematic Review.
PubMed 40756949 DOIGHK-Cu as a Bioactive Metallopeptide and Drug-Delivery Cargo: Coordination Chemistry, Formulation Science, Therapeutic Evidence, and a Translational Roadmap.
PubMed 42797253 DOIPentadecapeptide BPC 157 cream improves burn-wound healing and attenuates burn-gastric lesions in mice.
PubMed 11718984 DOIIn vivo stimulation of connective tissue accumulation by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+ in rat experimental wounds.
PubMed 8227353 DOIEffects of BPC-157 and TB-500 on Achilles tendon healing in rats: A histopathological and biomechanical study.
PubMed 42542926 DOIPepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV uptake reduces intestinal inflammation.
PubMed 18061177 DOILysine-Proline-Valine peptide mitigates fine dust-induced keratinocyte apoptosis and inflammation by regulating oxidative stress and modulating the MAPK/NF-κB pathway.
PubMed 40073467 DOIThymosin beta4 increases hair growth by activation of hair follicle stem cells.
PubMed 14657002 DOITransdermal Iontophoretic Delivery of Lysine-Proline-Valine (KPV) Peptide Across Microporated Human Skin.
PubMed 28343991 DOIThe tripeptide KdPT ameliorates ongoing psoriasis-like skin inflammation in murine and human skin.
PubMed 27376341 DOIalpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone, MSH 11-13 KPV and adrenocorticotropic hormone signalling in human keratinocyte cells.
PubMed 15102092 DOIUnregulated Peptide Use in the Age of Biohacking: Digital Promotion, Gray-Market Access, and Emerging Public Health Risks.
PubMed 42437212 DOIDangers of Injectable Peptides and Other Unregulated "Biohacking" Drugs.
PubMed 42757290Therapeutic potential of pro-angiogenic BPC157 is associated with VEGFR2 activation and up-regulation.
PubMed 27847966 DOIBulk Drug Substances Nominated for Use in Compounding Under Section 503A of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
SourceJuly 23-24, 2026: Meeting of the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee
Source