Just got back from the Rexona Lighten Up Event held at the Blue Leaf Pavilion in McKinley Hill (save the CBTL detour-slash-post-event-hangout with Char and Kate — Hi, girls!) and since there is no alcohol in my system plus the adrenalin I got from a small shopping trip earlier, I’m here to do a quick round up of what transpired earlier this evening.

Hosted by Angel Jacob (I just have to say that she looks really gorgeous in that purple number!), the event tackled a topic which has a somewhat sensitive nature; a dilemma faced by a number of women who resort to shaving and/or plucking as methods for underarm hair removal — darkened skin on the underarm area.

Dr. Jean Marquez, president of the Philippine Center for Dermatology & Laser Surgery and owner of The Skin Specialist Clinic, had helped inform the media and other invited guests on probable and known causes of Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) aka underarm darkening. Noting that this can be due to genetics and/or hormonal imbalance, two other probable causes are the habitual shaving and plucking of underarm hair. These practices, though can severely damage the smooth, even layer of cells by breaking tissues and tearing cells, are too important for women in our society in terms of grooming to be dropped.

Dr. Marquez suggested that if you are to continue practicing it, might as well do it in a manner that will cause the least damage. Shave while the skin is still soft, i.e. after showering; use shaving creams if possible or a mild soap lathered over the skin. Reason being that these methods will allow less friction to occur. Lastly, like other areas of your skin, applying moisturiser will help immensely.

Another guest speaker is Dr. Vernon Marti, Clinical Manager - Antiperspirant/Deodorant Studies of Unilever Research & Development in Port Sunlight, UK (with six patents granted during Unilever career), who gave a short presentation (remotely, if I may add) that took us through Unilever’s Research & Development profile. With strategic offices located around the globe, he introduced licensed specialists and researchers behind several groundbreaking technologies and products which explains why Unilever, Rexona in particular, is a trusted brand in their niche.

Then finally, it was Dr. Satish Goel, R&D Director of Unilever Philippines, Asia-AMET(Africa, Middle East, Turkey), and Head of Regional Technology Center, who took the stage to introduce Rexona’s latest release, the Rexona Skin Light with Sunflower Seed Oil.

Dr. Goel also talked about the technology behind the product, how the Sunflower Seed Oil helps in achieving lighter skin. According to him, the oil is a rich source of linoleic acid, an essental fatty acid which helps rejuvenate and lighten underarm skin. This is by creating a protective barrier on the skin. It then prevents water and lipid loss and encourages cellular repair. He also claims that it is able to reverse the detrimental effects brought about by plucking and/or shaving while helping protect underarms from further harm.

They have conducted product testing (locally) and the effects of Rexona Skin Light are reportedly visible in just two (2) weeks. Not to be a party-pooper but I reckon this is something that needs to be seen first-hand, yes?

Anyway, sitting through the entire event is educational. I’m all for learning new things so I appreciate having been invited to the Rexona Lighten Up Event. On top of that, I finally got to meet Nikki Tiu of AskMeWhats in person and it’s great to see Shen again.

In photo: Nikki of AskMeWhats.com and Shen of Shen’s Addiction.

Interesting loot from Rexona: a couple of soft towels in white and purple, a Schick Silk Effects razor set, a Beansprout bag in Teal, and of course —

Rexona products in a vanity kit: Rexona Skin Light with Sunflower Oil Stick (40g & 20g), Roll-On (40ml & 25ml), Mini-Stick (8g), and six (6) Deo-Lotions in 5ml sachets.

So, ladies, you up for Rexona’s two-week challenge? Er, it really depends on how much stock you put in the general upkeep of the underarm area (bushwhacker anyone? LOL). Some too meticulous, others hardly give a damn. Personal choice, really.

Related Reads
At the Rexona Lighten Up Event, Isabel Roces
At the Rexona Lighten Up Event, Charisse Vilchez
At the Rexona Lighten Up Event, Kate Alvarez
A Favoured Photo

Photo © 2009 Sasha Manuel