Selsun Blue

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Selsun Blue is an over-the-counter brand of dandruff shampoo now owned by Sanofi. First made by Abbott Laboratories, the brand was bought by Chattem in 2002. Chattem was acquired by Sanofi in 2010, although in some markets, it is sold by Rohto Pharmaceutical instead. Selsun Blue has been marketed as a more effective alternative to brand leader Head & Shoulders due to its superior performance in randomized trials. [1]

Contents

Formulations

Over the counter Selsun Blue contains 1% selenium sulfide as its active ingredient in its most popular version [2] (the word "Selsun" is a portmanteau of selenium sulfide + n). Chattem announced that on November 1, 2005, they would introduce a new line of shampoos under the brand name Selsun Salon. These contained a different active ingredient than Selsun Blue, pyrithione zinc 1%, and are oriented toward the higher-end shampoo market. Other active ingredients such as salicylic acid and botanicals are in other versions of Selsun Blue brand dandruff shampoo.

In 2011, the Selsun Blue brand consisted of 15 products spread across two brand segments, Naturals and Base. The Naturals line of products contains the active ingredient salicylic acid in addition to 8 moisturizers & botanicals plus vitamins B5 & E. Salicylic acid is a keratolytic agent that assists with cell shedding or flaking. [3] The base brand consists of six types including Medicated with menthol, 2-in-1, Normal to Oily, Moisturizing, Itchy Dry Scalp, and Deep Cleansing with micro beads. [4] The first four types contain the active ingredient selenium sulfide which has been shown to have anti-fungal properties. More specifically, selenium sulfide, an anti-infective agent, relieves itching and flaking of the scalp and removes the dry, scaly particles commonly referred to as dandruff or seborrhea. Selenium sulfide is also used to treat tinea versicolor, a fungal infection of the skin. [5]

Deep Cleansing was launched by Chattem in January 2011. In addition to the active ingredient salicylic acid, the product contains scrubbing micro beads.

Availability

Like Chattem’s other products, Selsun Blue is sold through mass merchandisers, drug and food retailers.

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dandruff</span> Skin condition of the scalp

Dandruff is a skin condition that mainly affects the scalp. Symptoms include flaking and sometimes mild itchiness. It can result in social or self-esteem problems. A more severe form of the condition, which includes inflammation of the skin, is known as seborrhoeic dermatitis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hair conditioner</span> Hair care product

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Head & Shoulders (H&S) is an American brand of anti-dandruff and non-dandruff shampoo produced by parent company Procter & Gamble. It was introduced in United States on New Year's Day 1961 at midnight stroke based in Manhattan, New York City, New York and its slogan was THE AMERICA AND WORLD's NO. 1 SHAMPOO.

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Tinea nigra, also known as superficial phaeohyphomycosis and Tinea nigra palmaris et plantaris, is a superficial fungal infection, a type of phaeohyphomycosis rather than a tinea, that causes usually a single 1–5 cm dark brown-black, non-scaly, flat, painless patch on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet of healthy people. There may be multiple spots. The macules occasionally extend to the fingers, toes, and nails, and may be reported on the chest, neck, or genital area. Tinea nigra infections can present with multiple macules that can be mottled or velvety in appearance, and may be oval or irregular in shape. The macules can be anywhere from a few mm to several cm in size.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climbazole</span> Chemical compound

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References

  1. Rapaport M (1981). "A randomized, controlled clinical trial of four anti-dandruff shampoos". J. Int. Med. Res. 9 (2): 152–6. PMID   7014286.
  2. Moore, Shelley. "Active Ingredients in Selsun Blue". Livestrong.com. Demand Media, Inc. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  3. Sanfilippo, Angela; Joseph C. English III (July 2006). "An Overview of Medicated Shampoos Used in Dandruff Treatment" (PDF). P&T. 31 (7): 396–400. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
  4. "Selsun Blue". Chattem, Inc. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
  5. "Selenium Sulfide". PubMed Health. National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 28 October 2012.