Selenium Disulfide-based shampoo applied for 4 weeks significantly improves dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis
Abstract
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. OBJECTIVES: to assess the efficacy of SeS2-based shampoo in dandruff/SD.
MATERIALS & METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: A SeS2-based shampoo applied 2 to 3 times per week is efficient and well tolerated in dandruff and SD.