Therapeutic shampoos for dandruff

Dandruff is a clinical condition caused by the scalp commensal fungi Malassezia furfurs (Pityrosporum orbiculare), so dermatologists recommend using antifungal dandruff treatment shampoos if you have this problem. [1]

Indications Therapeutic dandruff shampoos

These types of shampoos, which have pharmacologically active components in their composition, belong to dermatoprotective means of personal hygiene and are used in seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp - increased keratinization (keratinization) and desquamation (exfoliation) of cells of the stratum corneum with the formation of scales from dead and sticking root cells. Dandruff is most often formed when the skin on the head is too oily (oily seborrhea).

Such shampoos are also used in other dermatomycoses accompanied by scaling and itching of the skin (pityriasis or lichenoid pityriasis).

Release form

Some manufacturers define the category of their dandruff products as dermatological shampoo, which does not change their real status: they are not medicines, but aids with therapeutic effect.

And whatever names are on the bottle, it all depends on the composition of its contents, which should contain ingredients with fungistatic and keratolytic properties.

To therapeutic shampoos from dandruff rightfully belongs Nizoral (Nizoral) - with ketoconazole (Nizoral - one of the trade names of this antifungal agent) and its analogs: seboderm and Sebozole (Sebozole), the action of which is also due to the presence of ketoconazole.

Mycosoral - also synonymous with ketoconazole, in addition contains urea.

In addition to ketoconazole, the composition of shampoos dermazole plus, Keto plus, Ketoconazole + Zink is supplemented with zinc pyrithione.

Cinovit with zinc pyrithione contains the fungicide climbazole, which also belongs to imidazoles and is similar in action to ketoconazole, but consists of monochlorobenzenes and ketones.

In shampoo Seborin (Seborin) along with climbazole is salicylic acid, and in the composition of shampoos such as Sulsena, Vichy Dercos Anti-dandruff, Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength, Selsun Rx active substances are selenium disulfide.

A lot of shampoos with components of plant origin, declared as remedies for dandruff, to therapeutic do not refer to, for example, shampoos Klorane (Klorane) with extracts of nasturtium (for dry skin) and myrtle (for oily dandruff).

Pharmacodynamics

The mechanism of action of therapeutic shampoos from dandruff, that is, pharmacodynamics, is provided by their active components.

Antimycotic agent of imidazole group - ketoconazole, acting on fungi cells, inhibits the synthesis of compounds for the formation of their walls, thereby breaking the impermeability of cell membranes of Pityrosporum orbiculare and preventing the process of mycelium formation.

Zinc pyrithione is a conjugate base that exerts bacterio- and fungistatic action by changing the polarization of cell walls of pathogenic microorganisms and inhibiting membrane transport processes, which disrupts the metabolism of fungal cells and stops their mitosis.

At the same time, zinc pyrithione inhibits the accelerated division of skin keratinocytes provoked by fungal infection, which reduces skin flaking.

The action of selenium sulfide in the composition of therapeutic shampoos is defined as fungicidal and cytostatic. First, this compound disrupts the cell membranes of fungi, embedding itself in their structure. Secondly, sulsen reduces the intensity of epidermopoiesis, that is, reduces the rate of proliferation of cells of the stratum corneum of the epidermis - forming dandruff corneocytes. In addition, in case of excessive sebum production selenium-sulfur compound normalizes it.

And salicylic acid, being a beta-hydroxy acid, acts as a keratolytic and exfoliant, i.e. It softens and dissolves keratin of keratinized skin cells and facilitates their exfoliation from the skin surface.

Pharmacokinetics

Dandruff shampoos are not medicines, and their pharmacokinetics are not studied by manufacturers. However, it is known that zinc pyrithione penetrates quite deeply into the epidermis, cumulates and partially enters the blood.

Dosing and administration

Before using any dandruff shampoo, be sure to read the instructions on its bottle or on the packaging

Shampoos with ketoconazole are used twice a week. The product is applied as a regular shampoo - on wet skin, but treat the skin (circular movements of the fingers) more thoroughly, hold for five minutes and rinse with water.

• Application for children

Sulsena shampoo is not used for children under two years of age. And shampoos with ketoconazole - Nizoral and its analogues - should not be used by children under 12 years of age.

Use Therapeutic dandruff shampoos during pregnancy

It is forbidden to use Sulsena shampoo during pregnancy.

Manufacturers of most anti-dandruff shampoos with ketoconazole assure that there are no negative consequences of using their products during pregnancy and breastfeeding, although there is no evidence of this.

Contraindications

The main contraindications to the use of the above listed therapeutic shampoos concern individual hypersensitivity to their main or auxiliary components.

Side effects Therapeutic dandruff shampoos

Sometimes treating dandruff with special scalp detergents can lead to dry skin and increased flaking.

Side effects of ketoconazole included in shampoos may manifest themselves in the form of skin irritation, burning and itching; contact dermatitis cannot be excluded. Salicylic acid may cause similar effects.

Skin irritation, increased dryness or oiliness of the hair or scalp, hair discoloration, temporary increase in hair loss may also occur with the use of selenium sulfide products. In addition, there may be increased sweating, garlic odor breath, or tremors.

Overdose

In most cases, there is no information regarding overdose of therapeutic shampoos.

With more frequent use of Sebozol shampoo may appear intense redness of the skin, accompanied by burning and itching.

Interactions with other drugs

Do not use therapeutic shampoos from dandruff at the same time with external agents containing corticosteroids.

Storage conditions

Dandruff shampoos are recommended to be stored at normal room temperature with the bottle cap closed.

Shelf life

The expiration date of the shampoo is indicated on the bottle (where the year and month of manufacture are labeled).

Testimonials

According to reviews by dermatologists and their patients, regular scalp washing with special dandruff shampoos helps to improve the condition of the scalp and can remove dandruff and relieve skin itching. However, for many people, the problem reoccurs.

It is impossible to single out the best therapeutic shampoo for dandruff: they have similar or identical composition, and obviously, the result of their use depends on many factors, primarily on individual skin characteristics and triggers of hyperproliferation and increased keratinization of cells of the outer layer of the epidermis.