PARSIPPANY, N.J., July 18 /PRNewswire/ -- A new national survey finds that one common beauty ritual is quite literally "a pain" for many U.S. women. The issue: using a razor to remove unwanted hair. Despite ads touting advances in razor technology, nearly 50% of U.S. women surveyed complain that results from shaving don't last as long at they would like. Over one-third of women -- a total of 36% -- commonly suffer from nicks, cuts, burns or rashes when shaving. On average, American women reported cutting themselves while shaving at least every other week.

The national survey of U.S. women 18-34 years old was fielded by David Michaelson & Co. and ICR on behalf of VEET Depilatories, the world expert in female hair removal.*

"Our survey confirmed that Summer is the time of year when women are most concerned about removing unwanted hair," said Grace Liljemark, Brand Manager for VEET Depilatories. "Yet they are clearly dissatisfied with what is for many women the most common of beauty rituals. At a time when they're showing off more skin, they have to battle stubble, razor burn, rashes and, all too often, women are frustrated by this catch-22."

The survey also revealed that half of all women ages 18-34 remove unwanted facial hair. But most surprisingly, a full 20% of these women use a razor to remove hair from their delicate facial skin - something most beauty experts advise against.

    Other highlights from the VEET survey include:
    -- Frequency of hair removal doubles in the Summer for both legs (4 times
       per week) and bikini lines (2 times per week)
    -- Women who remove unwanted facial hair do so at least once a week
    -- Frequency of removing bikini line hair doubles in the summer, with
       sixty-one percent of women removing hair from this area at least once a
       week
    -- 76% of women use a razor to shave their bikini line, which can lead to
       ingrown hairs.

Worries Over Waxing

While waxing can offer an appealing solution to shaving woes, many U.S. women have yet to make it a consistent part of their beauty regimen.

The U.S. women surveyed cited their top waxing worries, several related to the in-salon waxing experience:

    -- The expense of salon waxing
    -- Too embarrassed to have waxing done in front of a stranger
    -- Traditional at-home options are too sloppy/messy
    -- Fear of pain
    -- Too time-consuming

Smart Alternatives for Hair Removal

Women dissatisfied with razors, tired of high salon costs or too shy to have hair removed by a stranger have new, easy alternatives. Responding to women's hair removal "hassles," VEET has debuted four new products that offer simple, cost-effective alternatives to traditional shaving with a razor or trips to the salon.

The VEET Rasera(TM) Bladeless Kit combines a moisturizing, fast-acting gel cream with a unique bladeless tool that works to dissolve and then scoop away unwanted hair in just three minutes. The VEET Comfort Waxing Kit comes with a Pre-Waxing Spray which is applied before waxing to prepare the skin for a more comfortable waxing experience. Its wax strips are pre-coated with the ideal amount of wax, to eliminate any mess. For safe and effective removal of unwanted facial hair, VEET has introduced both its Facial Cream Kit and Easy-to-Use Facial Wax Strips - giving women a choice between a sensitive formula hair removal cream or simple wax strip alternative.

All VEET products are available at drug, mass merchants and grocery stores nationwide. Pricing is at the sole discretion of each retailer. Members of the press requesting further information on a particular VEET product or pricing can contact Lesley Weiner (212-455-8079 or lweiner@cooperkatz.com).

    * "Removing Unwanted Hair: A Woman's Perspective" (David Michaelson &
       Company with ICR Survey Research, 2005)

About VEET:

VEET Depilatories, a product line of Reckitt Benckiser, is the world's number one brand of female at-home hair removal products, with leading market positions in more than 20 countries around the world. VEET offers a wide range of both depilatory and wax-based products that deliver total smoothness, so women feel attractively feminine and ready for life.

VEET products are based on unique, patented formulas that are changing the way women view their hair removal routines. The VEET U.S. family of products includes:

    -- VEET Rasera (TM) Bladeless Kit in Floral Sensation(TM), Fresh
       Sensation(TM) and Aloe Vera scents
    -- Comfort Waxing Kit
    -- Facial Cream Kit
    -- Easy-To-Use Facial Wax Strips
    -- Hair Removal Mousse in Almond Oil and Aloe Vera with Vitamin E
    -- Express Roll-On Gel Wax
    -- Rapid Action Hair Removal Lotion
    -- Sensitive Formula Hair Removal Lotion
    -- Easy-to-Use Cold Wax Strips

VEET products are available at drug, mass merchant and grocery stores nationwide, including Albertsons, CVS, Duane Reade, Eckerd, Brooks, Kmart, Kroger, Rite-Aid, Target, Walgreens and Wal*Mart.

About Reckitt Benckiser

Reckitt Benckiser Inc. is a subsidiary of U.K.-based Reckitt Benckiser plc, the world leader in household cleaning (excluding laundry) and a major player in health and personal care. Reckitt Benckiser Inc. manufactures, markets and sells household, cleaning and specialty food products in North America.

These products include Lysol cleaners and disinfectants, Air Wick air fresheners, Resolve carpet cleaners, Electrasol automatic dishwasher detergent, VEET depilatory, Jet-Dry rinse agent, Spray 'n Wash laundry stain removers, and French's foods, including French's mustard and GourMayo(TM) Flavored Light Mayonnaise.

With 20,000 employees, operations in 60 countries and sales in 180 countries, as well as global sales of more than $9 billion, Reckitt Benckiser is among the top 25 companies in the FTSE 100 index, is a constituent of the MSCI Global Index and S&P Global 350, and is in the Forbes International 500 and Business Week European Top 50.

For additional information about Reckitt Benckiser, visit www.reckittbenckiser.com.