Treatment of dandruff with 5% tea tree oil shampoo
Satchell AC
Published in Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Methodology
Randomized, single-blind, parallel-group trial; 5% tea tree oil shampoo versus placebo shampoo used daily for 4 weeks; quadrant-area-severity scoring plus patient self-assessment of scaliness, itchiness and greasiness.
Key Findings
126 patients aged 14 and over with mild to moderate dandruff used either 5% tea tree oil shampoo or placebo daily for 4 weeks. The tea tree oil group improved 41% on the quadrant-area-severity score versus 11% for placebo (p < .001), with significant improvements also in total area of involvement, total severity, and self-assessed itchiness and greasiness. Self-assessed scaliness improved but not significantly, and no adverse effects were reported.
Conclusions
Five percent tea tree oil appears to effective and well tolerated in the treatment of dandruff.
Limitations
Single-blind rather than double-blind, short 4-week duration, and outcomes rely partly on patient self-assessment.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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