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

• Published in: EJD. European journal of dermatology Vol. 33; no. S1; pp. 19 - 23
• Main Authors: Turcu, Gabriela, Artenie, Claudia, Nowicka, Danuta, Arenbergerová, Monika, Lazaridou, Elisabet, Khobzei, Kuzma, Ataseven, Arzu, Part, Martina, Leclerc-Mercier, Stéphanie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: France 01.03.2023
• Subjects: Adult; Dandruff; Dermatitis, Seborrheic - drug therapy; Erythema - drug therapy; Hair Preparations - therapeutic use; Humans; Pruritus - drug therapy; Pruritus - etiology; Scalp Dermatoses - drug therapy; seborrheic dermatitis; selenium disulfide; dandruff
• ISSN: 1167-1122; 1952-4013; 1952-4013
• DOI: 10.1684/ejd.2023.4402

Seborrheic Dermatitis (SD) is a chronic and relapsing inflammatory condition accompanied by erythema, flaking and itching. Dandruff is a milder form of SD. Selenium disulfide (SeS2) is beneficial in both conditions. to assess the efficacy of SeS2-based shampoo in dandruff/SD. an international, multicenter, observational study was conducted in 1407 adult subjects. SeS2- based shampoo was used 2 to 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Clinical efficacy criteria included improvement of hair, flaking, erythema and irritation on a scale from 0 to 5; investigator satisfaction was assessed at month 3 from 0 to 10. The subjects rated the impact of their hair problem (0 to 5), efficacy and satisfaction with SeS2-based shampoo at month 3. Tolerance was assessed throughout the study. At baseline, 68.2% had a flake severity score of 3-5, 49.9% an erythema severity score of 3-5, and 46.2% an irritation severity score of 3-5; 28.2% were bothered and 41.5% were very bothered. At study end, SD/D had at least clearly improved in 89.6% of subjects. All clinical signs had significantly (p<0.001) improved. 95.6% of subjects reported less pruritus. Significantly fewer (15.4%, p<0.0001) subjects were still bothered. The overall subject satisfaction score was 8.9±1.4; 97.6% of investigators were satisfied or very satisfied. Tolerance was good or very good in 98.8% of subjects. A SeS2-based shampoo applied 2 to 3 times per week is efficient and well tolerated in dandruff and SD.