Selsun Blue
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Selsun Blue is a shampoo developed by Ross Laboratories (now Abbott Nutrition), a subsidiary of Abbott Laboratories and later bought by Chattem, that functions as an over-the-counter treatment for dandruff. It has been marketed as a more effective alternative to brand leader Head & Shoulders due to its superior performance in randomized trials. [1] However, its retail price is also much higher: In the United States, Selsun Blue costs approximately 77 cents per fluid ounce, while Head & Shoulders costs approximately 32 cents per fluid ounce.
The active ingredient in Selsun Blue is selenium sulfide (1%). "Selsun" (not Selsun Blue) is a related product also made by Chattem and available over-the-counter in some countries which contains 2.5% selenium sulfide and sulfur.
Selsun is available by prescription in the U.S. for the 2.5% concentration, and available without prescription is the 1% concentration. It is used as a topical treatment for some skin conditions, including tinea versicolor and seborrheic dermatitis.
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 as Selsun Blue, pyrithione zinc 1%, and are oriented toward the higher-end shampoo market. Pyrithione zinc is the active ingredient in Head & Shoulders brand shampoo.[1]
[edit] Advertising slogans
- "Never wear the black without the Blue -- Selsun Blue".
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Rapaport M (1981). "A randomized, controlled clinical trial of four anti-dandruff shampoos". J. Int. Med. Res. 9 (2): 152–6. PMID 7014286.
[edit] External links
- Product description on Chattem's official site
