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General Questions about Secret, How It Works and Perspiration

What causes underarm odor and wetness?

Perspiration is the body's natural way to regulate its temperature and hydrate the skin. Perspiration itself is essentially odorless and evaporates readily. In areas like underarms, where perspiration can't readily evaporate, it causes the feeling of wetness. Bacteria, which thrive in warm and moist surroundings, break down the perspiration and create underarm odor.

How do Secret antiperspirants help prevent underarm odor and wetness?

Since perspiration in the underarms doesn't readily evaporate, a feeling of wetness results and bacteria thrives in that wetness, creating underarm odor. Secret works by slowing the flow of perspiration to the surface of the skin. It does so by being pH (measure of alkalinity) Balanced. When the active ingredient in Secret comes in contact with your perspiration, it dissolves into the sweat ducts. As you continue to perspire, the perspiration makes the pH of the solution rise. When the solution reaches a high enough pH, the active ingredient forms superficial plugs in those sweat ducts, reducing the flow of perspiration to keep you dry. Thus, Secret protects you from underarm wetness (antiperspirant) and also prevents underarm odor (deodorant).

Why do we perspire?

Sweating is your body’s way of releasing excess heat and cooling itself. Sweating is natural under any conditions, but sweating can be intensified by any number of elements, including warm weather, exercise and stress.

How much perspiration is too much?

Excessive sweating is not fully understood and can be related to any number of medical or physiological conditions, including hyperhidrosis. Only you can decide if your sweating is excessive. Secret Clinical Strength is designed to provide protection for anyone who feels embarrassed by her perspiration, or unable to control it.

Is blocking underarm perspiration unhealthy?

No. There are many sweat ducts all over the body, and only a small percentage of them are in the underarms. Therefore, reducing the flow of perspiration in the underarms doesn't affect the body's ability to regulate temperature (the main function of sweating). The other sweat glands in other parts of your body can easily provide adequate control for your overall body temperature. Likewise, antiperspirants do not "trap" toxins in the body, nor do they affect the body's ability to excrete substances of any kind.

What is antiperspirant?

Antiperspirants block the flow of sweat from sweat glands, thus reducing wetness. Because perspiration stimulates odor-causing bacteria, antiperspirant also reduces body odor. Additionally, most antiperspirants are scented to also fight odor.

How do antiperspirants and deodorants differ?

Deodorants help control odor primarily by masking the underarm odor caused by the bacteria interacting with perspiration and also by reducing odor-causing bacteria. Antiperspirants help control wetness, and thereby odor, by slowing the flow of perspiration to the surface of the skin.

Secret Smooth Effects helps you shave less often. Does it also work as well as other Secret antiperspirants / deodorants?

Secret Smooth Effects antiperspirants/deodorants are clinically tested to provide a smooth long-lasting shave without compromising the wetness and odor protection women count on from Secret. It utilizes the revolutionary split stream technology that uniformly distributes the key ingredients into a unique conditioning solid formula providing strong odor and wetness protection and long lasting scent. With continued use it has been clinically tested to:

Reduce the visual appearance of hair
Make hair look and feel softer and finer
Condition underarm for touchably smooth skin

Health Facts

Can I become immune to deodorants or antiperspirants?

This is a popular myth with no basis. You cannot become immune to your deodorant or antiperspirant.

I'm concerned about a rumor that suggests antiperspirants cause breast cancer. Is this true?

No. We understand why you are concerned by this rumor; however, there is no scientific or medical evidence to suggest that the use of antiperspirants causes breast cancer. Both the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute have clearly refuted this rumor on their Web sites. Summarizing what is on the American Cancer Society's site:

Antiperspirants are NOT found in concentrated amounts in the breast tissue even though the underarm is close to the breast.
Antiperspirants do NOT trap toxins in the body.
Reducing perspiration in the underarm does NOT affect the body's ability to regulate temperature, nor its ability to excrete substances of any kind.
Sweat is NOT a significant route for eliminating toxins from the body.
Toxins are eliminated mainly through urine and feces, NOT perspiration.

We hope this information is helpful and that you will want to share our message with others who might have heard this rumor. If you'd like to learn more about the risk factors for breast cancer, visit the American Cancer Society (keyword search, "antiperspirant"), National Cancer Institute or Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association.

Is it true that antiperspirants can contribute to Alzheimer's disease?

No. For some time there has been a question as to whether aluminum can contribute to Alzheimer's disease. The FDA has approved aluminum compounds for use in antiperspirants based on an extensive safety database. The materials in Secret antiperspirants have undergone extensive safety testing and have been proven safe and effective. For perspective, aluminum occurs everywhere in the environment. Our greatest daily exposure to aluminum is from the food and water we consume and the air we breathe. Daily aluminum intake from food and water is at least 2-50 times greater than exposure from daily use of antiperspirants. The weight of evidence to date indicates that the current level of environmental exposure to aluminum (from drinking water or other sources) does not lead to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease in humans. Many noted scientists agree. For further information on this subject, we suggest visiting the following independent site: Alzheimer's Association, or call them at 1-800-272-3900.

Is Secret antiperspirant safe for use by pre-teen girls?

Secret antiperspirant is safe for use by pre-teen girls when used according to the label instructions. As with any antiperspirant, there can be a potential for skin irritation in some sensitive individuals. If irritation develops, use should be discontinued.

Why does the label state “Keep out of reach of children” if Secret Soft Solid Antiperspirant is safe for use in pre-teens?

Antiperspirants are classified as over-the-counter drugs and therefore subject to labeling requirements by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). All over-the-counter drugs require the “Keep out of reach of children” warning on their label. This warning is a general statement to prevent accidental ingestion or misuse of the product, but it does not mean that Secret Soft Solid antiperspirant cannot be used on pre-teen children. If parents have questions about whether Secret Soft Solid antiperspirant is appropriate for use by their pre-teen child, they should discuss it with their pediatrician.

What evidence do you have to support the fact that a large number of pre-teen girls (ages 8-12) are entering puberty and developing odor?

An extensive US study published in the journal Pediatrics involving more than 17,000 girls indicated that over 68% had developed underarm hair between the ages of 8-12, and thus a significant potential for body odor (Herman-Giddens, et al, 1997*).

*Secondary sexual characteristics and menses in young girls seen in office practice: a study from the Pediatric Research in Office Settings network. Pediatrics. 1997 Apr;99(4):505-12, Herman-Giddens ME, Slora EJ, Wasserman RC, Bourdony CJ, Bhapkar MV, Koch GG, Hasemeier CM. Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7580, USA.

Secret Scent Expressions New Look

Have the Scent Expressions Changed?

We still offer Scent Expressions but have recently revamped the line with better wetness protection, a new look and 11 fabulous scents. But don’t worry, if you already had a favorite the new line of products has something for you. Here are our recommendations:

If you liked …	We think you’ll love …
Arctic Apple	Truth or Pear
Eastern Lily	Fabulously Floral
Hawaiian Violet	Totally Tropical
Jasmine Orient	Wild Jasmine
Kuku Coco Butter	Coco Butter Kiss
Brazilian Cherry	Cherry Mischief
English Bloom	Bella Bloom
French Lavender	Ooh-La-La Lavender
Southern Peach	Pretty `n Peach
Tropical Tango	Totally Tropical
Vanilla Chai	Va Va Vanilla
Asian Pear	Truth or Pear
Spanish Rose	Rockstar Rose

About Secret Clinical Strength and Clinical Strength Waterproof

Why should I use Clinical Strength at bedtime?

At night, your body’s temperature and sweat rate slow. By applying Clinical Strength as this is occurring, little or no antiperspirant is washed away by sweat, and you ensure great effectiveness of the plugs. Applied at night, Clinical Strength is so effective that morning reapplication is not even required, though it is permissible.

Should I use Clinical Strength differently?

Clinical Strength can be effective when used as you use traditional antiperspirants, but for strong wetness protection, follow these instructions carefully:

Apply Clinical Strength at bedtime to minimize excess nighttime perspiration. An additional morning application is not necessary; you will be protected throughout the day, even if you bathe or shower after application. If you neglect to apply it at night, morning application will still provide strong protection.
Clinical Strength should be applied according to your personal needs. A light layer is recommended, and two clicks per arm is the average. But because Clinical Strength is so gentle on your skin, you may apply as much as you feel is necessary.
Most people find the nighttime application sufficient to control excessive wetness for the following day. However, if you feel more protection is needed, a morning reapplication of Clinical Strength, or the use of another antiperspirant, is acceptable.

Is Clinical Strength for everyone?

Clinical Strength is designed for heavy sweaters, but can provide confidence and prescription strength wetness protection to anyone who experiences or worries about excessive underarm perspiration.

What is Secret Clinical Strength Waterproof deodorant / antiperspirant?

Secret Clinical Strength Waterproof is the newest addition to the Secret Clinical Strength boutique, including Secret Clinical Strength Sport, Sensitive Skin, Powder Fresh and Light and Fresh. Secret Clinical Strength Waterproof contains an all-day formula that provides waterproof wetness protection. The advanced solid’s H20Guard™ technology provides three layers of protection: clinically proven waterproof wetness protection, odor absorbing capsules that respond to heat and humidity and skin soothing conditioners.

What is the difference between Secret Clinical Strength Waterproof and the other Clinical Strength products?

There are three ingredients important to making Secret Clinical Strength’s H20Guard waterproof.

The first key ingredient is an optimal level of a top-performing active that is robust and is not washed off by water.
Next, it is key to get the right balance of waterproof emollients in the product.
Secret Clinical Strength Waterproof has the optimal level of two emollients: petrolatum and dimethicone. These ingredients are hard for water to remove yet still are able to be removed by a typical soap or body wash. These materials hold the odor fighters in H20Guard on the skin even when the skin gets wet, and also help fight odor by absorbing them.

Like all Secret Clinical Strength products, H20Guard was tested under high-stress conditions. To make sure this one really worked, we sprayed water directly onto women’s underarms and measured its ability to fight wetness and odor. Even under these tough conditions, H20Guard gave great wetness and odor protection.

What is H20Guard™ Technology and what are the benefits?

Secret Clinical Strength Waterproof features three layers of protection:

Clinically proven waterproof wetness protection
Odor absorbing capsules that respond to heat and humidity
Skin soothing conditioners

Secret Platinum Has Been Replaced with Secret Flawless™

Is it true that Secret Platinum has been replaced with Secret Flawless™?: Yes, it's true. As of May of 2008, Secret Platinum is no longer available. Instead, you will find Secret Flawless™ on store shelves. So, if you're a devoted Platinum user, have no fear. The Flawless™ line has something perfect for you, including Flawless Renewal™. With movement-activated odor protection, the more you move, the more it works.
See all Flawless Invisible Solids, Clear Gels and Conditioning Solids.

Samples, Coupons and Personal Information

How can I get samples of Procter & Gamble products?

Visit our Everyday Solutions website where you can find information about samples, coupons, special offers, new products and more — all in one place! Check it out at http://www.pgeverydaysolutions.com/cr

How can I get Secret deodorant coupons?

The best place to find Secret deodorant coupons is in the P&G brandSAVER coupon insert delivered every month in most newspapers. To see if your newspaper carries it, visit www.pgeverydaysolutions.com/cr.

How do you use my personal information?

We use your personal information for the reason it was provided, for instance:

To enroll you in contests, programs or offers you request
To ensure you're old enough to participate in a program, sweepstakes or contest
To provide product support and answer your questions
To send samples, products and information

We may also use information we gathered as a result of your visit to our website:

To analyze the use of our products, services and sites
To understand how you arrived at our site
To make sure our web pages display correctly
To market our array of products and services to you

We do not sell your personal information or share it with other marketers without your consent. To learn more, please visit http://www.pg.com/privacy/english/privacy_notice.html

For more information about Secret products, contact Procter & Gamble.