Selenium Disulfide-based shampoo applied for 4 weeks significantly improves dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Clinical Research
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a chronic inflammatory scalp condition characterized by erythema, flaking, and itching.
• Dandruff is a milder manifestation of SD, sharing similar symptoms.
• Selenium disulfide (SeS2) has demonstrated therapeutic benefits for both conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical efficacy and patient satisfaction of a selenium disulfide (SeS2)-based shampoo for treating dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis (SD).
• To assess the tolerance and overall effectiveness of the SeS2 shampoo in a large, international patient cohort.

Main Methods:

• An international, multicenter observational study involved 1407 adult subjects using SeS2-based shampoo 2-3 times weekly for 4 weeks.
• Efficacy was measured by improvements in flaking, erythema, and irritation (0-5 scale), and investigator/subject satisfaction (0-10 scale).
• Subjective outcomes included impact of hair problem, efficacy, and satisfaction, with tolerance assessed throughout.

Main Results:

• At study end, 89.6% of subjects with SD/dandruff showed clear improvement in clinical signs (p<0.001).
• Significant reductions in pruritus (95.6% reported less itching) and bothersome symptoms (from 69.7% to 15.4%) were observed.
• High satisfaction rates were reported, with 97.6% of investigators and subjects (8.9±1.4 score) satisfied; tolerance was good/very good in 98.8%.

Conclusions:

• Selenium disulfide (SeS2)-based shampoo is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis (SD).
• Application frequency of 2-3 times per week for 4 weeks yields significant clinical improvements and high patient satisfaction.
• The SeS2 shampoo demonstrates a favorable safety profile, making it a viable therapeutic option for these common scalp conditions.