Boots Centre for Innovation brings new permanent hair reduction technology to the home

05/02/09 - Another innovative new product from Boots Centre for Innovation is available in Boots stores from 9 February with the launch of Boots Smooth Skin, an exclusive, first-to-market product with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) by iPulse to reduce body hair permanently. The iPulse technology delivers a short, intense pulse of filtered light into the skin to disable each hair at its root, a technology formerly found only in salons but now available in a format small and affordable enough to use at home. This provides effective, virtually pain free permanent hair reduction in around 6-12 treatments.

Boots Centre for Innovation worked with medical devices company Cyden to develop the new product, enabling the advanced technology to be made available to women in their own homes in an affordable handpiece that is convenient to use.

The Centre was set up to work closely with early stage companies and inventors to develop pioneering health and beauty products for Boots stores. It offers expertise in all areas of business, including product development, marketing and retailing. Since it opened in 2007 it has reviewed hundreds of ideas and is working with innovators to develop new products in areas from diagnostics to beauty treatments.

"The support Boots Centre for Innovation provided during the development process was invaluable to a small company like ours," said Scott Wotherspoon, chief executive of Cyden's consumer division.

"They facilitated the right introductions, arranged extensive consumer research and testing and helped us develop the right marketing positioning for Smooth Skin. We are technology experts - they helped us apply our technology to develop a market ready product."

"There is a genuine need to provide better support for innovation in the UK and bring the latest technologies to the market," explains Ged O'Shea, managing director, Boots Centre for Innovation.

"By providing inventors with access to our business and retail expertise we can help them to develop practical applications for their ideas which will benefit millions of consumers. We are proud to give our customers the opportunity to use the exciting iPulse technology at home with Boots Smooth Skin."

New Boots research has revealed that the average woman in the UK spends a staggering £3,618 and 61 days removing unwanted removing hair over her lifetime1. A course of IPL permanent hair reduction in a salon on full legs, armpits and bikini line - the areas most want to remove hair from, according to the survey - could cost in excess of £3,0002. By investing in Boots Smooth Skin consumers can save approximately £2,750.

From 9th February Boots Smooth Skin will be available in larger Boots stores throughout the UK at an introductory retail price of £249.99 (until 5th May 2009). The standard retail price is £299.99.


Notes to editors
1. Based on 12 hour days over 45 years (removing hair between the ages of 15 and 60), removing hair 18.8 minutes a week and spending £6.70 a month – research conducted by Redshift for Boots among 1003 consumers
2. Prices based on an average cost of IPL hair removal across three salon treatment providers of IPL for underarms, full legs and bikini line, based on six treatments

About Boots Centre for Innovation
Boots Centre for Innovation is a dynamic, not-for-profit organisation that identifies and facilitates the development of pioneering health and beauty products to improve the quality of life for Boots consumers. Established in 2007, it is a partnership between Boots, Longbow Capital and The Institute of Life Science, Swansea University. The centre has been set up to identify future customer needs, stimulate global innovation and provide the expertise and network to bring ideas to life. For more information visit www.bootsinnovation.com

For further information about the product please visit www.boots.com/smoothskin (from 6 February).

PR Contacts
Louise Bryce, Marketing Manager
Boots Centre for Innovation
Tel: 01792 602673
Email: louise.bryce@bootsinnovation.co.uk

Katrina James or Debbie Smith
Freshwater Technology
Tel: 0117 317 8135
Email: kjames@freshwater-uk.com
dsmith@freshwater-uk.com