Veet
Encyclopedia
Veet, formerly called Neet and Immac, is a current trademark
of chemical depilatory
internationally-sold products manufactured by Reckitt Benckiser
Hair removal creams, mousses and gels, and waxes are produced under this brand. It has previously created similar products under the names Neet and Immac.
Veet's hair removal products contain thioglycolic acid
and potassium hydroxide
. These ingredients react to generate potassium glycolate, which according to the company, increases hair loss.
trademark in 1919 in Canada and in 1922 in the US
. The trademark for Neet was then picked up by the American Home Products Corporation in 1958. Neet was then transferred to its current holder, Reckitt Benckiser (then called Reckitt & Colman (Overseas) Ltd.).
The Veet name was established in 1922 in the UK. The name was used in some European countries, but was not used universally. For example, while the product was sold as Veet in France, the product was sold in the United States as Neet until 2002, when the Veet name was first used commercially in the US..
. Immac was an deodorant
produced by the same company.
More recent advertising campaigns have used university students as spokespersons for their products political commentary, such as the "No More Bush" ads after the 2008 United States Presidential Election..
Some advertising from Veet has been controversial. A test website for the product in France offended some online users by claiming that the product was "good for the pussy." The URL of the website (no longer available) was at monminoutoutdoux.com, which translates to "My Pussy's All Soft." A representative of Veet addressed the situation stating, "We wanted to create an ad campaign that was a bit humorous and offbeat...we didn't want to shock but we're not the experts on that." The manager reported there were several complaints about the website, and it was summarily taken down so as not to "tarnish the brand's image."
Trademark
A trademark, trade mark, or trade-mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual, business organization, or other legal entity to identify that the products or services to consumers with which the trademark appears originate from a unique source, and to distinguish its products or...
of chemical depilatory
Chemical depilatory
A chemical depilatory is a cosmetic preparation used to remove the hair from the skin on the human body. Currently, a common active ingredient is calcium thioglycolate, which breaks down the disulphide bonds in keratin and weakens the hair so that it is easily scraped off where it emerges from the...
internationally-sold products manufactured by Reckitt Benckiser
Reckitt Benckiser
Reckitt Benckiser plc is a global consumer goods company headquartered in Slough, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest producer of household products and a major producer of consumer healthcare and personal products...
Hair removal creams, mousses and gels, and waxes are produced under this brand. It has previously created similar products under the names Neet and Immac.
Veet's hair removal products contain thioglycolic acid
Thioglycolic acid
Thioglycolic acid is the organic compound HSCH2CO2H. It contains both a thiol and a carboxylic acid. It is a clear liquid with a strong unpleasant odor...
and potassium hydroxide
Potassium hydroxide
Potassium hydroxide is an inorganic compound with the formula KOH, commonly called caustic potash.Along with sodium hydroxide , this colorless solid is a prototypical strong base. It has many industrial and niche applications. Most applications exploit its reactivity toward acids and its corrosive...
. These ingredients react to generate potassium glycolate, which according to the company, increases hair loss.
Product History
Previously called "Neet," the hair removal product was manufactured by Hannibal Pharmaceutical Company and registered as a USUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
trademark in 1919 in Canada and in 1922 in the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The trademark for Neet was then picked up by the American Home Products Corporation in 1958. Neet was then transferred to its current holder, Reckitt Benckiser (then called Reckitt & Colman (Overseas) Ltd.).
The Veet name was established in 1922 in the UK. The name was used in some European countries, but was not used universally. For example, while the product was sold as Veet in France, the product was sold in the United States as Neet until 2002, when the Veet name was first used commercially in the US..
Advertising
Veet was advertised in the 1920s (then known as Neet) as a product that was "faster than shaving," was called "the ready to use hair removing cream," and was initially sold for about fifty cents in the USUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Immac was an deodorant
Deodorant
Deodorants are substances applied to the body to affect body odor caused by bacterial growth and the smell associated with bacterial breakdown of perspiration in armpits, feet and other areas of the body. A subgroup of deodorants, antiperspirants, affect odor as well as prevent sweating by...
produced by the same company.
More recent advertising campaigns have used university students as spokespersons for their products political commentary, such as the "No More Bush" ads after the 2008 United States Presidential Election..
Some advertising from Veet has been controversial. A test website for the product in France offended some online users by claiming that the product was "good for the pussy." The URL of the website (no longer available) was at monminoutoutdoux.com, which translates to "My Pussy's All Soft." A representative of Veet addressed the situation stating, "We wanted to create an ad campaign that was a bit humorous and offbeat...we didn't want to shock but we're not the experts on that." The manager reported there were several complaints about the website, and it was summarily taken down so as not to "tarnish the brand's image."