Effectiveness and Tolerance of Medicated Shampoo Containing Selenium Sulfide and Salicylic Acid in Patients with Seborrheic Dermatitis

This study involving 560 patients with seborrheic dermatitis found that a medicated shampoo containing selenium sulfide and salicylic acid significantly improved dandruff, scalp redness, itching, and greasiness over 21 days. However, females reported lower effectiveness (87.5% vs. 93.6%) and tolerance (93.9% vs. 99.6%) compared to males, suggesting gender differences in treatment response due to factors like scalp sensitivity and sebum production. The study emphasizes the need for tailored treatments for females and acknowledges limitations such as self-reported data and a cross-sectional design, which restrict causal conclusions. Future research should employ longitudinal designs and objective scalp health measures.