Selsun

What is Selsun?

Selsun is a special shampoo that helps treat various skin infections. It’s commonly used for conditions like dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis—a condition which causes an itchy, greasy scalp due to excess oil. But it can also be used for other skin infections like tinea versicolor.

Tinea versicolor is a fungal skin infection caused by the fungus Malassezia, and can occur when you sweat a lot or in hot weather. It shows up as patches of discoloured and scaly skin. In some cases, tinea versicolor can cause mild itching or discomfort but it doesn’t harm your health. It only affects the appearance of your skin.^[1]

How does Selsun work?

Selenium sulphide has been shown to slow down the growth of some of your skin cells. By doing this, it makes it easier for the fungi to be eliminated from the outer layer of your skin by reducing the adhesion of certain skin cells called corneocytes.^[2]

Selenium sulphide may work by interfering with sulphur metabolism in fungal cells (although this hasn’t been fully proven yet). This interference can cause a process called irreversible polymerisation, which forms strong bonds in the fungal cell walls. This prevents the yeast cells from growing and dividing, ultimately leading to their death.

It’s also worth mentioning that despite the general opinion that selenium compounds are toxic, selenium sulphide is considered to be relatively safe. It doesn’t dissolve easily in water, which means it’s not easily absorbed by your body. Its low solubility makes it less likely to enter your body and cause any harm.^[3]

Are there different forms of Selsun?

Selsun is available in the United Kingdom as Selsun 2.5% w/v shampoo. Each 100ml of suspension contains 2.5g of selenium sulphide.

You might have also heard of Selsun Blue, which is available overseas. Both Selsun shampoo and Selsun Blue contain the same ingredient, selenium sulphide. However, Selsun Blue has a lower concentration of 1% selenium sulphide compared to Selsun shampoo (2.5%).

How to use Selsun for tinea versicolor

As always, follow your clinician’s advice on how to use Selsun for tinea versicolor, but here are some general guidelines:

1. Take off any gold, silver and other metallic jewellery before using Selsun, since there’s a possibility that the shampoo may cause discoloration of these metals.
2. Before using it, give the bottle a good shake to make sure the active ingredient is evenly distributed throughout.
3. Apply the medicine to the affected areas of your body, avoiding your face and genitals.
4. Use a small amount of water to work up a lather.
5. Leave the medicine on your skin for 10 minutes.
6. Rinse it off with water thoroughly, making sure none remains.

Apply Selsun shampoo on your body once a day for seven days. If your clinician recommends it, you can repeat the course.

If your symptoms don’t improve, feel free to message our clinicians for advice anytime.

What happens if I make a mistake while using Selsun shampoo?

Make sure to avoid getting Selsun shampoo in your eyes, mouth or nose to prevent any irritation or feeling sick. If this happens accidentally, rinse immediately with plenty of cold water.

If you forget to apply Selsun shampoo once, use it as soon as you remember. However, if it’s close to the time for your next dose, it’s best to skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Don’t double doses.

How long does Selsun shampoo take to work for tinea versicolor?

The time it takes for Selsun shampoo to work can vary from person to person, but you should start seeing some improvement after about one to two weeks of using it. Keep in mind that it may take up to a few months for your skin to fully return to its normal colour after treatment.